Internet Puppy Scams

Cute, cuddly puppies can be irresistible to dog lovers, especially when they are free. Be for warned because a new Internet scam epidemic has come to light, and the victim could be you.

Internet puppy scams have more recently become a problem via the use of the Internet. So, how do scammers do it? It is quite simply actually. Scammers lure individuals in by simply posting false information and often stolen pictures of adorable puppies on such pet websites as Yahoo! Pets. The postings are mixed in with other real offers, making it a perfect cover for scammers. Victims usually email scammers about an inquiry, and this is where the scam comes into play. Scammers usually offer low or no cost for their supposed pure breed dogs, so when an individual does send money for their new friend, they most often believe that they are getting a great deal. In truth, the only deal they are actually getting is scammed.

However, there are a few ways to tell if a seller is a fraud or legit. One of the most obvious signs of a scammer is the very low or no cost offer. Scammers usually advertise dogs as pure breeds for free and only charge for shipping. They also usually list several different postings with the basic contact and pet information. They scam consumers by having them wire money transfers for the shipping costs. Another red sign is the use of several different shipping locations by the same individual and the offer to ship within 24 hours. I'm pretty sure a seller in Montana wouldn't be able to sell puppies in Florida and New York also. Some other obvious signs include stolen pictures from other websites and the location of where they actually want the money transferred to, which is usually an African country such as Nigeria. Other fraudulent signs include poor grammar and several punctual and spelling mistakes in the contact email. The scammer usually avoid answering any questions you have directly. The reason is due to their often scripted or automated responses. If you do email a scammer about an inquiry, you will often find your self flooded by other email involving scams. Why? Mainly due to the fact that if they scammed you once, they can scam you again.

Avoiding scammers can sometimes be difficult, which is mainly due to their persistence and lack of a conscience. However, with knowledge and instinct we can help ourselves from being scammed. If you are interested in buying a pet online, make sure to check out any background information about the breeder. Websites like TerrificPets.com offer email listings of fraudulent scammers. Just remember that out of the several offers made by scammers, it only takes one person to gain their trust. Don't let the next one be you.