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Attorney General Mike DeWine
DeWine Warns of
Puppy Scams
(COLUMBUS, Ohio)—Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine today warned
consumers to avoid puppy scams. Several consumers have reported losing
hundreds of dollars trying to buy a puppy online in recent weeks.
“Some ‘sellers’ who advertise online are con artists,” Attorney General
DeWine said. “They post a picture of a cute puppy and tell you to wire
money for a crate or insurance. Then they take your money without
delivering anything in return. People expect to receive a cute puppy,
and instead they get nothing.”
In a typical puppy scam, a consumer finds an ad for a puppy online. The
consumer communicates with the seller, agrees to buy the puppy, and
wires a few hundred dollars to have the puppy delivered. After the
consumer pays, the seller demands more money for seemingly legitimate
costs, such as for a crate, shots, shipping insurance, or other
transportation fees. Generally, consumers who pay receive nothing in
return. In some cases, consumers receive a puppy but say the puppy was
sick or did not come with the American Kennel Club registration the
seller promised.
In addition to advertising puppies, con artists also may pretend to
offer kittens, parrots, or other pets. Generally they communicate with
the consumer via email, phone, or text, send pictures of the animal,
and ask the consumer to pay using wire transfer or money order.
To avoid scams:
Research breeders and sellers carefully. Check complaints filed with
the Ohio Attorney General’s Office and the Better Business Bureau, and
review feedback from other customers. Be skeptical if you find no
information; some scam artists change names regularly to trick
consumers. If possible, work with a local, reputable organization.
Never purchase a pet sight-unseen over the internet, especially from an
individual who requests an “adoption fee” or “shipping fee” via money
order or wire transfer. To help detect a possible scam, conduct an
online image search of the puppy’s photo to see where else the picture
is posted on the internet. (Search “how to search by image” for help
determining how to do this.) If the same picture shows up in multiple
places, it could be part of a scam.
Visit the animal in person. If you choose to purchase a puppy, visit
the breeder in person. Ask many questions. Ensure the breeder has
individual veterinary paperwork for the puppy on the letterhead of his
or her veterinarian, and consider calling the veterinarian to verify
the relationship. Obtain proof of purchase with the breeder’s full
contact information on it.
Consider adoption from a local animal shelter, where the entire family
can meet and interact with an animal prior to adoption.
Watch for red flags. Beware of offers that are too good to be true,
sellers who require payment via wire transfer or money order, requests
for extra costs for airline pet insurance or a temperature-controlled
crate, unexpected delivery problems requiring additional payment, or
threats that you’ll be turned in for animal abuse or neglect if you
don’t pay.
Report potential problems. If you suspect a scam, contact the Ohio
Attorney General’s Office. If you suspect animal cruelty, contact the
seller’s local animal control agency or the humane society. The Humane
Society of the United States has a puppy mill tip line at
1-877-MILL-TIP (1-877-645-5847).
Consumers can report potential scams by contacting the Ohio Attorney
General’s Office at 800-282-0515 or www.OhioProtects.org.
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