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AUGUSTA — The Better Business Bureau is warning consumders to beware of scams involving puppies and kittens this holiday season.
The BBB Scam Tracker has seen an increase in people losing money to pet scams this year, it reported. Here are some ways not to get scammed when shopping for a cute pet:
HOW THE SCAM WORKS
You find an adorable puppy on a website or online ad. Sometimes, scammers claim they are breeders. Other times, they act like a distraught pet owner who must find a new home for their beloved dog or cat. Either way, once you’ve fallen in love with the pictures and videos, they ask you to wire money to make the purchase.
Once the purchase is complete, the “owner” promises your dog or cat will be shipped right away. But there are always “unexpected” problems: The airline requires a specific pet crate, you must pay for an expensive vet visit or the shipper requires costly pet insurance.
With each problem, scammers promise that they will refund the unexpected costs as soon as your pet is delivered. Unfortunately, your dog or cat never existed in the first place.
HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF
* NEVER WIRE MONEY TO PEOPLE OR COMPANIES YOU DON’T KNOW AND TRUST. Once money is wired, it is gone for good. The same goes for prepaid debit cards or gift cards.
* SEE THE PET IN PERSON BEFORE MAKING A PURCHASE. This is the only sure way of making sure your cat or dog exists and will be delivered to you without fail.
* RESEARCH PRICES. Make sure you know roughly how much the specific breed you are interested in costs. If someone is offering a purebred puppy at an extremely reduced price, chances are it’s a fraud.
For more information, go to BBB.org/PuppyScam. For more about avoiding scams this holiday season, visit BBB.org/Holiday-Tips. If you’ve been a victim of a puppy scam, report it on the BBB Scam Tracker to help others avoid a similar fate.
