Buying Puppies Online Scams May 2026

: Purebred puppies sold for a fraction of their market value (e.g., a $500 French Bulldog) are major indicators of a scam.

Buying a puppy online requires extreme caution, as the reports that roughly 80% of sponsored pet advertisements online may be fraudulent. Scammers often use professional-looking websites and stolen images to sell non-existent pets. 1. Major Red Flags of Online Puppy Scams buying puppies online scams

: Legitimate breeders will be happy to discuss the puppy's lineage, health records, and parents. How to avoid online puppy scams : Purebred puppies sold for a fraction of

: Insist on a video call (FaceTime, Zoom) where the seller shows you the puppy in real-time. buying puppies online scams

Verify breeders through official organizations like the American Kennel Club (AKC) . Check for business ratings and reported scams on BBB.org .

: Google the seller’s name, website, and phone number alongside terms like "scam" or "complaint". Check Professional Credentials :

: Right-click the puppy's photo and select "Search image with Google" to see if it appears on other websites or stock photo galleries.