How to tell if an online puppy seller is a scam
Warning signs include pressure to pay before you can verify the puppy and seller, copied photographs, inconsistent identities and demands for unusual payment methods or escalating shipping fees. No single check proves a seller is legitimate. Verify the person, arrange to meet the puppy where possible, check records independently and slow down if the details do not add up. A polished website or insurance document is not a substitute for that evidence.
Commercial disclosure: This page has no affiliate links or paid placements. Product links, where included, go to the manufacturer. Product comparisons are based on published specifications, not hands-on testing.
Check the claim against independent evidence
The FTC recommends researching the seller and looking for complaints, as well as being wary of upfront payment pressure. Save the listing and correspondence so you have a record of what was represented.
| Seller claim | What to check |
|---|---|
| “This is our puppy” | Meet where possible; request a current live interaction and compare details |
| “These photos are ours” | Reverse-image-search the photographs |
| “We are an established breeder” | Search name, contact details and independent complaints |
| “The puppy is registered” | Verify directly with the named organization |
| “Shipping requires another fee” | Verify the carrier independently using its official contact details |
| “You must pay today” | Pause; pressure is not a reason to skip checks |
Further reading: FTC: Getting a pet? Avoid scams.
Verify the puppy’s identity and records
Michigan’s consumer-protection guidance advises checking photos and registration claims rather than accepting a seller’s website at face value. Contact named organizations through independently found details. A copied logo or certificate image can be reproduced by someone who does not own the puppy.
For a claimed breed such as a Golden Retriever, compare the identity across the advert, contract and records. For a puppy advertised as eight weeks old, ask for the birth date and care history rather than relying on the listing title. Your veterinarian can help assess care records, but this website does not authenticate sellers.
Further reading: Michigan Attorney General: Puppy scams.
Read the payment and delivery terms before sending money
Be especially cautious if the only options are gift cards, cryptocurrency, a wire service or another hard-to-reverse payment. The FTC warns about these payment demands in pet-related scams. Ask your payment provider what protections actually apply before relying on a promise of a refund.
Further reading: FTC: Spot and avoid pet-related scams.
If you have already paid, preserve the record
Keep messages, receipts, listing screenshots, names and transaction references. Contact your payment provider promptly to ask what options apply to that payment. Report suspected fraud through the FTC’s official reporting service and the marketplace involved.
- Use official contact details rather than a number supplied by the seller.
- Do not send another fee simply because it is described as necessary to recover the first.
- Keep any veterinary or delivery documents for independent checking.
- Do not post someone’s private records publicly while investigating.
Insurance does not authenticate a seller
A sales advert offering “insurance” or a transport certificate does not establish that the puppy exists or that the seller owns it. Verify any named business independently. If you later consider pet insurance, compare the actual policy for your puppy rather than treating it as protection against an unverified purchase.
Common questions
Does a video call prove a puppy seller is genuine?
It can provide evidence to compare, but it is not a guarantee. Check identity, records, payment terms and an in-person meeting where possible as well.
Is a very low puppy price proof of a scam?
Price alone is not proof. Treat an unusual offer as a reason to verify the full story rather than letting either a low or high price replace evidence.
Where can I report a suspected puppy scam?
Use the FTC’s ReportFraud service and report the listing to the marketplace. Contact your payment provider promptly about any transaction you already made.
A little more help.
New puppy checklist for the first week
A day-by-day first-week puppy checklist covering supplies, records, feeding instructions, household care and settling in, with a free printable planner.
Read guideHealth preparationPuppy vaccine schedule by week: what to discuss with your vet
A U.S. puppy vaccination planning guide with age windows, records to bring and questions about combination vaccines, rabies and individual risk.
Read guideBefore they arrivePreparing for your puppy: what to do before homecoming
A practical new puppy preparation guide: organize supplies, a safe space, pickup details, care records and household responsibilities.
Read guide