Buying Puppies Online Scams May 2026

: Purebred puppies sold for a fraction of their market value (e.g., a $500 French Bulldog) are major indicators of a scam.

: Once you pay, they may demand additional money for "emergency" shipping insurance, specialized crates, or climate-controlled transport. 2. How to Verify a Seller's Legitimacy buying puppies online scams

Buying a puppy online requires extreme caution, as the reports that roughly 80% of sponsored pet advertisements online may be fraudulent. Scammers often use professional-looking websites and stolen images to sell non-existent pets. 1. Major Red Flags of Online Puppy Scams : Purebred puppies sold for a fraction of

: They will make excuses to avoid in-person meetings or live video calls, often claiming they are out of town or in a different country. How to Verify a Seller's Legitimacy Buying a

: Insist on a video call (FaceTime, Zoom) where the seller shows you the puppy in real-time.

: Legitimate breeders will be happy to discuss the puppy's lineage, health records, and parents. How to avoid online puppy scams