FAQ article

How to Spot a Scammer: Red Flags When Buying Puppies Online

Buying a puppy online in the USA can be a dream or a nightmare. With the rise of "puppy scams," buyers are more cautious than ever. To protect yourself, look for these critical red flags. First, if the price seems too good to be true for a purebred Frenchie or Golden Retriever, it probably is. Scamm...

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Buying a puppy online in the USA can be a dream or a nightmare. With the rise of "puppy scams," buyers are more cautious than ever. To protect yourself, look for these critical red flags. First, if the price seems too good to be true for a purebred Frenchie or Golden Retriever, it probably is. Scammers often use low prices to lure victims.

Second, pay attention to the communication. If a seller refuses to do a live video call or provide multiple photos of the puppy with a specific "code word" written on a piece of paper, walk away. Legitimate breeders are proud of their litters and will happily show them via FaceTime or Zoom. Lastly, be wary of sellers who only accept non-refundable payment methods like Western Union, MoneyGram, or Zelle before you've verified their identity. Always use a platform that offers some form of buyer protection or verified breeder badges.

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