Been Scammed Buying A Pet? Here’s What You Need to Know And What Action To Take
Protecting pet buyers
Pet Scammed? What To Do & How To Avoid It
Purchasing a pet should bring joy—not stress. With online sales on the rise, scammers sometimes pose as legitimate sellers.
If you’ve been scammed, you’re not alone. This guide explains warning signs, how to report it, and how to stay safe next time.
Quick Safety Checklist
- ✓ Never pay for unseen pets—always visit and meet mum with the litter
- ✓ Avoid wire transfers, gift cards or crypto—use secure, traceable payments
- ✓ Verify microchip, vaccination and vet records
- ✓ Be wary of prices “too good to be true” and urgency tactics
- ✓ Get a written contract with seller details
Introduction
Online pet shopping is convenient, but it can attract scammers. The good news: most scams share the same patterns. Learn them once and you’ll spot them quickly.
Recognising the signs of a pet scam
- ✓ Prices that seem unusually low
- ✓ Requests to pay by wire transfer, gift cards, or untraceable methods
- ✓ Refusal to share extra details, photos or videos on request
- ✓ Stock photos or high-resolution images grabbed from Google
- ✓ Only willing to negotiate via email; won’t take a phone/video call
- ✓ Foreign or falsified contact numbers
- ✓ “Too generous” deals, pressure tactics or guilt trips
Research reputable sellers & platforms
- Choose trusted listing sites or local shelters/rescues with strong reputations
- Read independent reviews and testimonials
- Speak to owners who have successfully bought online before
Verify the seller’s authenticity
Ask for proof
- ✓ Additional photos and short videos taken on request (e.g., today’s date on paper)
- ✓ Live video call to interact with the pet in real time
- ✓ Vet records, microchip numbers and references you can verify
Visit in person
- ✓ Meet at the seller’s home, see mum with the litter
- ✓ Avoid third-party delivery or parking-lot handoffs
- ✓ Walk away if a pre-purchase visit isn’t allowed
Common red flags
- Limited availability with pressure to “pay now”
- Inconsistent info or vague answers
- Unwilling to provide a direct number or let you visit
- Refusal to show documentation (microchip, vaccinations, parents’ health tests)
Report & recover: what to do now
Take action immediately
- ✓ Tell us so we can remove the listing and prevent more victims
- ✓ Contact your bank and explain what happened—ask about chargebacks or fraud investigation
- ✓ Report to the police with all details (names, numbers, emails, screenshots, receipts)
- ✓ Report to Action Fraud (UK)
Due to data protection, we may be limited in what we can share, but your report helps protect others.
Conclusion
Falling for a pet scam is disheartening. Learn from it and protect yourself next time by verifying sellers, meeting in person, and insisting on proper documentation. A little due diligence goes a long way to a safe, happy adoption.
