The Better Business Bureau (BBB) warns West Virginians shopping for their next pet to be aware of scam listings for puppies and dogs.
French bulldogs, dachshunds and German shepherds are among the popular breeds that scammers use to bring in unsuspecting targets.
Reports to the BBB show thousands of fake websites and social media pages for pet scams, including many where scammers have stolen a legitimate business’ identity to fool potential buyers.
Across North America, more than 1,600 pet scams have been reported to the BBB through September 2025 alone.
The BBB recommends potential buyers take some steps to protect themselves.
- See pets in person. Most scams are not sophisticated enough to fake out an in-person meeting. Video calls can also be a strong deterrent against fraud in nearly all cases.
- Use reverse image search. Many scam websites are impersonations of real businesses. Search for the photos used online or sent to you to see if they appear anywhere else online.
- Understand market prices. Many pet scams offer animals at deep discounts. Knowing what an animal should cost can help raise alarm bells if the price is suspiciously low.
- Check out your local shelter. Many buyers have no preference for breeds. If not, an in-person visit to a local shelter can be a surefire way to avoid scams.
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