With the holiday season approaching, the Boston Police Department is warning shoppers to be cautious of puppy scams.
Puppy Scams: Adding a furry friend is a common occurrence during the holiday season. The internet has become the go to place to find those new friends, unfortunately 80% of sponsored pet advertisements online may be fake according to the BBB. Before purchasing a furry friend, individuals should conduct a reverse image search for other ads. Do research on a fair price for the breed and never purchase a pet before seeing them in person. Avoid wiring, using cash app or gift cards.
Bringing home a new furry friend is a popular tradition during the holidays, but the Better Business Bureau (BBB) warns that many online pet listings may be fraudulent. In fact, the BBB reports that up to 80% of sponsored pet advertisements online could be fake.
Scammers often use stolen photos and false listings to trick potential pet owners into paying for animals that don’t exist. Before buying a pet, experts recommend conducting a reverse image search to check if the same photos appear in multiple ads. Research the typical price range for the breed, and never agree to purchase a pet without seeing it in person first.
To stay safe, avoid sending money through wire transfers, cash apps, or gift cards—these payment methods are difficult to trace and often used by scammers.
Resources & Reporting: If you have paid scammers, there are some actions you can take to protect yourself from further issues and potentially get
money back. Follow the steps below on “What to Do if You were Scammed”
- Victims are encouraged to file a police report with their local area station. Please follow the link (here) to find your local Boston area station.
- If the scammers obtained your Social Security number, go to IdentityTheft.gov
- For additional reporting victims can also file with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) or with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).