State agency warns of pet-related scams around holidays

State officials are warning you to be wary of pet-related scams as you are getting ready for the holidays.

The Indiana Board of Animal Health says that there is an uptick in the types of scams involving animals during the holiday season. They say that many of the scams involve victims who are trying to buy a pet online or from someone out of the area. And it is easy to get roped into spending thousands of dollars for a pet that doesn’t even exist.

A common scam involves supposed sellers who post a picture of a pet for sale on social media, but you have no way of knowing if that is even their animal. It is easy to swipe pet photos from legitimate sites or other social media users. You should be wary if a person offers a pet for sale with a significant upfront payment. The state board warns that you should never pay for an animal that you have not seen with your own eyes.

If you are buying a pet online or from out of the area beware of scams involving the transportation of the pet. Scammers will charge you an upfront fee for transportation, then continue to demand more money as the pet is supposedly in transit. A frequent claim is that a government agency has held up the pet in another state and is demanding you pay an amount to move the pet along the route. But the board warns that a government body will never demand fees to move a pet across the country. You should never pay to ship a pet if you can’t verify the seller is a reputable breeder or rescue organization.

More tips from the Board of Animal Health:

Tips for Consumers:

• Research the breeder or rescue/adoption center before sending any form of payment. Look for contact information, check credentials, and confirm reviews from previous clients by direct contact. Ask about the breeder/adopter and the pet’s background. Consider searching the Better Business Bureau for possible complaints against the seller.
• Make an in-person visit. Meet the dog breeder, the puppy, and the parents of the puppy.
• Talk to others who have purchased pets from the breeder.
• Ask friends, family, coworkers, or your veterinarian for a referral to a reputable breeder/rescue.
• Consult with a veterinarian about which dog breeds would be best for your family.
• Ask your veterinarian for local breeder recommendations.
• Never pay a fee to obtain an animal that you have not seen with your own eyes (as opposed to via pictures or videos online).
• Don’t pay to ship a pet if you can’t verify the seller is a reputable breeder or rescue organization. Pay only for direct shipping to your location.
• Be aware that scammers can and do take legitimate business names to use as a cover.
• Look for breeders or rescues within driving distance. This allows you to see the animal and meet the breeder or rescue before a possible purchase or adoption. You can also pick up the animal yourself when it is ready to come home. Transporting the animal yourself not only assures the animal exists but is less stressful for the animal than being shipped by commercial conveyance. Most breeds can be found within a reasonable driving distance.
• If you virtually chat with the seller, watch for odd phrasing or typos.
• If the seller asks you to pay via wire transfer or gift card, DON’T. This is a red flag for a scam.
• If anyone asks you to send money overseas, particularly to pet adoption scam hotspots such as Cameroon or India, consider it a scam.
• Beware of “free” pet offers online. These are often scams to get you to pay shipping or other fees for non-existent animals.

Hoosiers who believe they have been the victim of a scam or targeted by scammers should file a complaint with the Office of Indiana Attorney General at indianaconsumer.com or by calling 1-800-382-5516.