RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) – Buying a puppy is a big decision and can be quite costly, especially if you fall victim to a scam.
A recent report from the Better Business Bureau shows that Virginia is among the top 10 states with the highest rates of online dog scams.
The security team at 12 On Your Side has looked at some warning signs you need to know about.
Virginia Poodles and Doodles owner Shannon Doa has been in the business for nearly a decade and knows how people can scam potential dog owners.
“If you have nothing to hide, you hide nothing,” she said.
According to a study conducted using data from the BBB, online puppy scams have become more popular since the pandemic, with the average amount spent on puppy scams this year being 34% higher than in 2019.
The average loss in Virginia alone is $1,072, and so far this year, 285 Virginia residents have fallen victim to this scam.
Doa said it is better to do your research before paying because people are more savvy these days.
“There are websites that look really legitimate, but their prices are really low,” she said.
The study shows that bulldogs are the dog breed most commonly targeted by scammers. Dachshunds are in second place, while Pomeranians, Pugs and Poodles are the third most commonly targeted dog breed.
Doa said asking questions is the best way to avoid getting scammed.
“They want to request pictures of the dog, do Facetime with the dog, can I visit the dog? Can I visit the parents? Because that eliminates puppy mills, so someone buys a litter of dogs cheap on Craigslist and then resells them,” Doa said.
She says not to be afraid to ask for the dog’s health records and even references from the breeder or veterinarian.
You can also have the breeder personalize the picture if you cannot visit the dog in person.
“Another good tip is to ask the person, ‘Can I have a picture of the puppy with today’s date and my name on a piece of paper in front of it?’ Because you can’t really fake something like that,” she said.
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