How to Protect Yourself from Scams While Purchasing a Dog Online

Are you planning to buy a dog? A furry friend with whom you can spend most of your time?If yes, then you are reading the right article! Buying a dog is the most heartwarming decision of your life, but these days, it has also become a nightmare for many.

Dog scams! Yes, you read it right. The most uncommon but draining scam running these days is the dog scam. It might seem weird, but many people have lost their hard-earned money and precious dreams while purchasing a dog.

In this article, we will dive more into the details of how these scams work and how you can be aware while getting your furry friend home.

What is a Dog Scam? A dog scam is when people act as genuine sellers and trap you with their unreal perks. They often offer benefits which are eye-catching and people tend to get trapped in their thread. They at first make an emotional connection and later, after taking full payment in advance, vanish.

Majority of these scams happens online through classified ads, websites and even through social media accounts. These scammers make a full fledged websites and attract potential buyers with catchy discounts.

Phrases like, one pup left, this puppy needs help, or last 2 hours left, get it in 60% off and many more. People think that's the right time to buy, and without thinking or checking about the seller, they transfer the payment, and later story we all are aware of.

Why Do People Fall for These Scams?

The simplest way to trap people is by selling an emotional story. We all know how cute dogs are and their wholesome appearance, and that's exactly what these scammers use. They are attracted by cute pictures and create a sense of urgency that you stop thinning of possible negatives.

By watching those ads or clicking on suspected messages you stop thinking about any negative but to think of names, where they;ll stay or how youll play with them. And thats exactly what these scammers wants.

The will not tell you more about the breed or the procedure but creates an urgency that they have limited period offer , many are waiting you are the lucky one and etc. Common Types of Puppy Scams

1. The Too-Good-To-Be-True Price Prices are extremely lower than the usual market price, it is a red flag that you must not ignore. They will give you reasons like the owner is relocating or just needs a sweet home for the dog, and sometimes that this is not their full-time business, but stay alert as no one bears the loss. You might think that it is your luck, but that's when you are preparing your pocket to lose some previous money and feelings.

2. The "Shipping Fee" Trick The scam is when the total amount to be paid has several hidden charges. You are told to pay a lesser amount, but during the delivery you came to kno about several hidden charges from crate charges, delivery fees, travelinsuarance , vet clearance and what not. By the end when you realise what is happening you have already sent alot of amount.

You pay a small adoption fee and are told the pup will be delivered to your city. Then, they come up with unexpected fees—crate charges, travel insurance, vet clearance, customs... it never ends. By the time you realize what’s happening, you’ve paid a huge amount and still don’t have a dog.

3. No Meet & Greet When people ask to see a dog, whether online or in real life, these scammers tend to make stories or just send a dog picture, which are mostly fake. Due to not watching the dog, people get scammed by receiving the wrong breed or nothing.

4. Fake Documents Fake documents, scammers use to send fake verified beads certificates or fake vaccination certificates, which look quite real but are fully fake. How to Spot the Red Flags After understanding the types of dog scams, let's identify the signs that refectsthat it can be a potential scam:

Unusually low prices

No phone or video contact

Payments are requested through gift cards or wire transfers.

Urgent or pressuring language

Poor grammar or inconsistent details in communication

Photos that seem too polished or professional (often stolen from breeders' websites) Real Stories, Real Lessons Sonia’s Labrador Dream Sonia saw an online ad for a purebred Labrador puppy for just Rs. 15,000. She contacted the seller, who sounded friendly and genuine. She paid the amount through UPI. Two days later, they asked for Rs. 5,000 more for insurance. Then another Rs. 7,000 for shipping. Sonia ended up sending Rs. 30,000 in total—before realizing there was no puppy. The seller vanished. Ravi’s Emotional Vulnerability Ravi had recently lost his beagle. Still grieving, he stumbled upon an ad offering a "free to good home" Golden Retriever. He only had to pay for shipping. He transferred the amount, and the seller kept delaying delivery. Finally, Ravi figured it out—it was a scam targeting grieving pet lovers. How to Buy a Dog Safely So,now how to buy a dog safely?

1. Visit in Person Before making any payment, try to meet the puppy or the seller in person or through an online meeting so that you can connect with them and understand whether they are a potential buyer or not.

Always keep in mind to see the dog bio cell and check whether the dog you have opted to purchase is the same as shown in the pictures and reality. Make sure to check all the documents and verify that they are original 2. Research the Breeder After connecting with the breeder, check their available team on Google, verify their phone numbers and email ID to check that it is their official mail ID and the phone numbers. make sure to read all the reviews and complaints, if any, posted about them so that you can get the full idea of with whom you are dealing.

3. Use Reverse Image Search most of the time the camels send you pictures from Google which are not of the real dog they are selling hell make sure that you use reverse image search that is using that image and putting it again on Google and check that whether the same kind of images are available on Google or no if it is available and the image look exactly same as they have sent you then be aware that it cannot be the dog they are promising you to give
4. Pay Smart While making the payment make sure that you are not pain only in advance also share that whether the upi ID or the account number they are giving you are verified and of their companies account and not of any persons account if you are paying on any persons number then make sure that you have full detail of it that if in future you are being scam and you can file complaint against them.
5. Ask for Medical Records Genuine breeders always have wet records health certificates, and vaccination history of a dog. Don't accept any PDF that has no evidence to be official. What If You’ve Been Scammed? First call don't be panic. This can happen to anyone. it does not make use stupid it is just makes you human and we all learn from our mistakes.

Here's what you can do if you are being scammed: Stop communication immediately: If you are with any conversation with them stop it immediately and don't give them hints that you have understood that they are the scammers. Collect evidence: Start collecting evidence like screenshots, call recording any payment is a transaction evidence that you have done. this can help you to file a case against them and to get your money back. Report to your bank or payment provider: once you identify the camp, report to your bank immediately to stop the payment and to block that person's account. To file a complaint against them in the cyber cybersecurity portal. Conclusion We know that buying a dog is not just buying a cloth online but it is an emotion a decision which involves lots of feelings and endless memory. help make sure to stay protective while purchasing a dog and make a right decision. Make sure that you are doing proper research if you like this block or have any suggestion, let us know in the comments.