● MEDIUM RISK

Pet & Puppy Sale Scam

An adorable pet, advertised by a "breeder" or seller, that does not exist. You send a deposit, then the fees stack — "shipping," "insurance," a "special crate" — for an animal that never ships. The emotional pull is the leverage. See the pet, in person, before any money moves.

Losses: Median reported loss around $850 (BBB Scam Tracker)

Targets: Families seeking pets, especially around holidays; remote buyers

Updated: 2026-06-11

Also known as: Puppy Scam · Pet Adoption Scam · Fake Breeder Scam · Pet Shipping Scam

How It Works

Pet scams surge around holidays and in spring. Scammers post photos of irresistible animals — often stolen from real breeders — at prices low enough to feel like a deal but high enough to be believable. **How it unfolds:** 1. **The listing**: A purebred puppy, kitten, or exotic pet advertised below market price with professional-looking photos. 2. **The emotional hook**: You fall for the specific animal. The "breeder" sends more photos and videos (often stolen or AI-generated). 3. **Deposit demand**: Payment is requested via Zelle, Cash App, Apple Pay, gift cards, or wire — all irreversible. 4. **Fee escalation**: Once you pay, new costs appear — a "special climate-controlled crate," "pet insurance," "vaccination certificate," or "customs fees." Each is the last one, they promise. 5. **The vanish**: The pet never ships. The seller disappears, or keeps inventing fees until you stop paying. **Why it works:** Emotion overrides caution. Buyers commit to a specific animal before verifying the seller exists.

How Scammers Make Contact

Fake breeder websitesClassified adsSocial mediaEmailText

Warning Signs & Red Flags

Seller insists on Zelle, Cash App, gift cards, or wire transfer only
Price is suspiciously low for the breed
Seller refuses a live video call or in-person visit with the animal
Escalating fees after the deposit (crate, insurance, customs)
Reverse image search shows the photos used on other listings
Pressure to decide immediately "before another buyer takes it"

Real-World Example

"We found a French bulldog puppy for $900 — a steal. The 'breeder' sent the cutest videos. We paid a deposit by Zelle, then a $700 'climate crate' fee, then $450 for 'pet insurance the airline requires.' Every time we paid, there was one more fee. The puppy never existed. We were out $2,050."
— BBB Scam Tracker Puppy Scam Study

How to Protect Yourself

Never buy a pet you (or a trusted local contact) cannot see in person
Reverse-image-search the pet photos — scammers reuse stolen images
Pay with a credit card or method that offers buyer protection, never gift cards or wire
Be wary of any breeder who only communicates by text or email
Search the seller, phone number, and website for scam reports
Adopt through known shelters or verify breeders with kennel-club registries

What To Do If You're a Victim

1Stop sending money the moment fees start escalating
2Contact your bank or payment provider to attempt a reversal
3Report to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov
4File a report with BBB Scam Tracker and Petscams.com
5Report the listing to the platform where you found it
6Save all messages, receipts, and the listing URL

Report This Scam

FTC Report Fraud FBI IC3 Identity Theft

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Pet & Puppy Sale Scam?

What are the warning signs of Pet & Puppy Sale Scam?

Seller insists on Zelle, Cash App, gift cards, or wire transfer only. Price is suspiciously low for the breed. Seller refuses a live video call or in-person visit with the animal. Escalating fees after the deposit (crate, insurance, customs). Reverse image search shows the photos used on other listings.

How do I protect myself from Pet & Puppy Sale Scam?

Never buy a pet you (or a trusted local contact) cannot see in person. Reverse-image-search the pet photos — scammers reuse stolen images. Pay with a credit card or method that offers buyer protection, never gift cards or wire. Be wary of any breeder who only communicates by text or email.

What should I do if I'm a victim of Pet & Puppy Sale Scam?

Stop sending money the moment fees start escalating. Contact your bank or payment provider to attempt a reversal. Report to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. File a report with BBB Scam Tracker and Petscams.com.

How serious is this threat?

We rate this a real but moderate risk. Reported losses: Median reported loss around $850 (BBB Scam Tracker). Most exposed: Families seeking pets, especially around holidays; remote buyers.

Can I get my money back?

Recovery depends on how you paid. Credit card payments may be reversed through chargebacks, while wire transfers and cryptocurrency are rarely recoverable. Report immediately to your bank and file complaints with the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov and the FBI IC3 at ic3.gov.

How do I report Pet & Puppy Sale Scam?

Report to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov. For internet crimes, file with the FBI IC3 at ic3.gov. For identity theft, visit identitytheft.gov. You should also contact your local police and your bank.

Sources & References

Related Scams

Fake Online Store

A storefront with real-looking products and unreal prices takes your payment and either ships nothing or sends a counterfeit. Many are built fast and abandoned just as fast. Pay by credit card so you can dispute it, and be wary of a brand-new site selling brand-name goods for a fraction.

Marketplace Scam

On Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, and the like, the scam runs both ways — fake listings that take a deposit, buyers who "overpay" with bad checks, counterfeit goods, and a push to move off-platform. Keep it in person, in cash or platform-protected payment, and treat any nudge toward Zelle or gift cards as a stop sign.

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