You find the perfect puppy online at a great price, the seller is warm and quick to reply, and all they need is a deposit to hold it. Then come the fees — for a special crate, insurance, “climate-controlled” shipping — and the pet that never arrives. Pet sale scams prey on excitement and kindness. Our GetMyPassword team explains how to recognize one before you pay.
How the scam works
A scammer advertises an adorable pet at a tempting price, often using photos stolen from real breeders or other listings. After you commit, they ask for a deposit and then a chain of extra payments — a refundable crate, pet insurance, customs or “shipping company” fees — each promised to come back to you. Payment is requested by gift card, wire, app or crypto. The pet does not exist, the photos are borrowed, and every fee is invented to squeeze out more money.
Red flags to watch for
- A price that seems too good for the breed, plus pressure to pay a deposit fast.
- No live video call with the actual pet — only photos, which may appear on other sites.
- Endless add-on fees after the deposit, always “fully refundable.”
- Unusual payment methods — gift cards, wire transfer, payment apps or crypto.
- Emotional pressure — the pet is “in distress” or “another buyer is waiting.”
How to verify before you pay
Slow down and check before any money moves. Ask for a live video call showing the specific pet doing something you request — scammers using stolen photos will dodge this. Run the listing photos through a reverse image search to see if they appear elsewhere. Prefer to meet in person or use a reputable, local source, and pay with a method that offers protection rather than gift cards or wire. A genuine seller will not mind your caution.
If you cannot see the pet on a live video and every fee is “refundable,” you are not buying an animal — you are funding a story. Real sellers happily prove the pet is real.
How to protect yourself
Never send a deposit or fees to a stranger for a pet you have not seen live, and treat any demand for gift cards or wire as a stop sign. Keep conversations and payments on platforms that offer buyer protection. Because these listings also fish for your personal and payment details, protect your accounts with a unique password from our password generator and two-factor authentication, so a hopeful search never turns into a stolen account on top of a lost deposit.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if a pet sale is a scam?
Watch for a too-good price, pressure to pay a deposit fast, refusal to do a live video call with the actual pet, endless “refundable” add-on fees, and payment by gift card, wire or crypto. These are the hallmarks of a pet sale scam.
How can I verify a pet seller is real?
Ask for a live video call showing the specific pet doing something you request, reverse-image-search the listing photos, and prefer to meet in person or use a reputable local source. A genuine seller will not refuse reasonable checks.
What should I do if I have already paid?
Stop sending any further “fees,” report the scam to the platform and your payment provider, and try to dispute the charge if you used a protected method. Watch for identity theft and secure your accounts with strong, unique passwords.