Better Business Bureau warns of puppy scams targeting holiday shoppers

CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) -The Better Business Bureau is warning consumers about puppy scams as families consider adding pets to their holiday wish lists.

Scammers target people looking for specific breeds at low prices, using emotional manipulation to complete fraudulent transactions.

“You need to make sure you do your homework. You get caught up in the cuteness of the puppy. You get caught up on the lower price that’s being offered but those are all red flags,” said Ericka Dilworth with the Cleveland Better Business Bureau office.

Most scammers use stock photos of puppies to attract potential buyers, Dilworth said.

“You can actually do a look-up. You’ll probably find those photos on many different sites,” she said.

The BBB advises against wiring money or paying with cash or checks when purchasing a puppy. Credit card payments offer protection if transactions go wrong.

Dilworth emphasized that buyers should never purchase a puppy sight unseen.

“If someone is trying to sell you a puppy in California and you can’t really see, feel, love on that puppy... you need to be incredibly skeptical,” she said.

The scammers will also tell you to send them money to ship the puppy to you, or that they need money to hold the puppy for you. Don’t do it.

But money transferred through bank apps cannot be recovered if the transaction is fraudulent. The BBB recommends working with local breeders or shelters to avoid being taken advantage of.

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