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Those Seeking Rescue Dogs, Falling Victim to Scams

Now, even if you are looking to adopt a dog, the risk of being scammed is present and easier than ever before.

For example, you wish to adopt a dog and you find someone online who is looking to re-home.

Upon reaching out to the person for further information, you are presented with a telling backstory.


Most of the time, the scammer will request a payment via a wire transfer or pre-paid card, not asking for an adoption fee, but only the shipping costs. 

Once you have confirmed your payment is on the way, the scammer will usually express that there has been a shipping error.

This is when they are able to ask you for more money, promising a refund once the pet has been delivered.

Some may even go as far to say that the pet is in danger of being put down unless you are able to complete this adoption.

Since you are invested now, it is easy to give in. Once all of the money has been taken, the scammer never replies again, because there is actually no dog for adoption.

Felicia Thompson of the Phoenix Better Business Bureau warns to pay very close attention to the small details when communicating before a potential adoption. She goes on to point out that the smartest thing to do is to get proof that the pet exists before sending over any funds.

The BBB encourages you to have an in-person meeting with the pet and owner before committing to any online adoption.

This is the best way to ensure that you will not fall victim to a scam.

Utilize reverse image search on Google when you come across photos of pets for adoption.

A telling way to verify credibility, this search will pull up multiples of the same image if it has been posted repeatedly on the internet. If this is the case, it is likely a scam.

Also, be weary of wire transfers and pre-paid cards; money sent this way cannot be refunded.