Police Warn Of Purebred Puppy Scams

NEW YORK — New York State Police are warning residents of a scam that is bilking people related to the sale of puppies.

State police in Troop B, which is upstate, said they've been receiving multiple calls from people who said they've been scammed out of hundreds of dollars after answering classified ads for purebred puppies for sale.

Victims report that, after answering the ad, the suspects provide a photo of the breed they are looking for and arrange for a deposit to be paid.

Once the deposit clears, police said, the victim is provided an address — which doesn't exist — to pick up the puppy. Recently, these fake addresses have been in the St. Lawrence County area.

The state police said the public should be aware of some common themes in this scam:

• The deposit is requested to be made via payment apps, such as Zelle or CashApp.
• All communication with the "breeder" takes place via text.
• An address for the puppies is not provided until after the deposit is made.
• The "breeder" sends the victim stock photos of whatever breed they are looking for, i.e., Labrador retriever, Boston terrier, French bulldog.

The American Kennel Club has offered tips on what to avoid when looking for a reputable breeder:

• No phone calls. The seller prefers to handle communication by email and not the phone. A reputable breeder will always communicate via phone or video chat, if not in person, before selling you a puppy. Fraudulent sellers are often outside the United States and may be hiding their phone number by only communicating by email or text.
• Copycat or stock photos. Photos of the dog or ad text can be found on multiple websites. The AKC recommends searching for the text in the listing to see if it was copied and pasted from another site.
• Sketchy payment. The seller asks for wiring of money or payment by gift cards. Be aware that if you choose a non-secure method of payment, it is highly unlikely that you will get your money back. Avoid paying a stranger using apps such as Venmo, because it is hard to get your money back if you don't get what you paid for. Paying by credit card or PayPal are typically the safest options.
• Price is too good to be true. Research the prices for the breed you are considering ahead of time. Purebred dogs sold at deeply discounted prices are typically frauds. If the seller says they register their dogs with a specific organization, you can call the organization to confirm.

The Better Business Bureau also recommends using Google's image search function to see if the puppy appears on other websites. The organization also said to request references and see the pet and seller in person, possibly via video chat.

The BBB said that, if you use a credit card or any app to send payment, let the card or app company know if you are scammed.

You should also report the scams and false ads to the Better Business Bureau and the Federal Trade Commission.

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