8 Warning Signs to Help You Avoid Puppy Scams

Wondering how to avoid puppy scams when shopping for a pitbull puppy?

The excitement of bringing a new puppy into your life is unrivaled. Pitbull puppies, with their affectionate nature and loyal disposition, are a popular choice for many families. So you do what most would-be pet parents do, go online and search for pitbull puppies for sale. 

Searching for Pitbull puppies for sale near me or Pitbull breeders near me brings you all sorts of results. And every website you click has flashy images with convincing paragraphs of why you should buy a puppy from them. 

But not so fast. 

Pit bull puppy scams are on the rise, and here at Manmade Kennels we have felt the effect of it. We have customers calling us every day asking to buy a  pitbull puppy cheap. 

And I mean dirt cheap. $100 or $200 for a pit bull puppy. The shock on us! 

Yet, we do understand where these enquiries come from. I mean, two of the most searched keywords online are “Pitbull puppies for sale $150” or “Pitbull puppies for sale $250 near me”. 

And I guarantee you there will be a website that will have puppies listed for that price. Although this looks like a steal, it could potentially be a pitbull puppy scam. 

Remember,

When the deal is too good to be true, it probably is. 

So,

How do you avoid pit bull puppy scams?

Plenty of puppy mills and backyard pitbull breeders have been taking advantage of eager pet seekers by selling non-existent or sick puppies online.

What are the red flags when picking out a puppy?

1. Fake Websites and Online Advertisements

One of the most common tactics used by puppy scammers is the creation of convincing but fraudulent websites and advertisements. These websites often feature heartwarming stories, high-quality photos, and irresistible offers. Be wary of websites that lack contact information, offer vague location details, or display suspiciously low prices.

2. Sketchy Sellers and Unrealistic Prices

If a seller is unwilling to provide verifiable information about themselves, including their location and contact details, it’s a major red flag. Unrealistically low prices, especially for popular breeds like pitbulls, should also raise suspicions. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.

3. Lack of Proper Documentation and Health Records

Reputable breeders ensure that their puppies are properly vaccinated, dewormed, and come with appropriate health records. Scammers often lack these documents or provide fraudulent ones. Insist on receiving complete health records and verify their authenticity with a trusted veterinarian.

4. Avoiding Wire Transfers and Untraceable Payment Methods.

Scammers typically request payment via untraceable methods like wire transfers, prepaid cards, or cryptocurrency. Avoid making payments using these methods, as they offer no recourse if the seller turns out to be a scammer. Instead, use secure and traceable payment options.

5. Researching the Seller and Asking for References.

Conduct thorough research on the seller’s reputation. Legitimate breeders should have a web presence and positive reviews from past customers. Ask for references and contact them to gain insight into the breeder’s history and the health of their puppies.

How to avoid puppy scams on Facebook

It is important to have the tips for avoiding puppy scams on Facebook or any another selling platform when buying pitbull puppies online. These tips should work when purchasing other dog breeds as well.

Scammers often pose as legitimate breeders or sellers and take advantage of unsuspecting would-be dog owners who have a desire desire to adopt or purchase a puppy. Here are some steps you can take to avoid puppy scams on Facebook: 

1. Search for the seller: – Search for reviews, ratings and testimonials from other customers who have purchased puppies from the same seller. – Check the seller’s profile, including their activity, friends and history.A legal seller must have an established position.

2. Be skeptical of unrealistic offers: – Be wary of offers that seem too good to be true. If the price of a particular dog breed is significantly lower than the average market price, this could be a warning sign. 

3. Check the breeder information: – Request the breeder’s contact information, including phone number, address and website (if available). Please verify this information independently. – Compare breeder data with reputable breed clubs or organizations that register purebred dogs. 

4. Insist on Video Calls: – Request a video call with the seller to view the puppy and its living conditions.Scammers often use stolen images and avoid showing the real puppy. 

5. Be careful with payment methods: – Avoid merchants that only accept payments via untraceable methods such as bank transfers, gift cards, or cryptocurrencies. These are common tactics used by scammers. – Pay by credit card or other safe and buyer-protected methods.

6. Check the medical record: – Licensed breeders will provide your puppy with medical records, vaccination records, and other necessary documents. Verify the authenticity of these documents. 

7. Visit to the breeder: – If possible, make an appointment at the breeder’s office to see the puppy in person and meet the breeder in person.

8. Trust your instincts: – If you think there is something wrong with the transaction or the seller, trust your instincts and proceed with caution. Scammers often use high-pressure sales tactics to lure potential buyers. 

9. Look for warning signs: – Look out for signs of fraud, such as Spelling and grammatical errors in communication, lack of transparency and inconsistent or suspicious behavior.

10. Report suspicious activity: – If you come across a potentially fake puppy ad or seller on Facebook, report it to the platform and the relevant authorities. This prevents other people from falling victim to the same fraudster.

Remember that online puppy scams are widespread and that scammers are constantly adapting their tactics to scam people. It suddens us that some of these online puppy scams beat the algorithms and find their way onto the first page of search engines.

To be safe, always take the time to research and verify the legality of the seller and the puppy before making any payments or commitments.

How to report pitbull puppy scams

We already mentioned how you can report puppy scams on Facebook. All social platforms do provide an avenue to report any fraudulent activities on their app or website which you can make use of.

If you suspect that you’ve encountered a pitbull puppy scam, it’s essential to report it to the relevant authorities. In the United States, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Better Business Bureau (BBB) are excellent resources for filing complaints. Reporting scams not only helps protect others from falling victim but also aids in the prosecution of fraudulent individuals.