LANSING, Mich. (WILX) – This holiday season the Better Business Bureau (BBB) is warning shoppers about the growth in online pet scams.
The BBB Scamtracker reports that pet scams make up about 20% of all online shopping scams. In 2022, the average amount lost is up, averaging about $850 per scam.
“Pet Scam victims often tell us they are more upset about not getting the dog than the money they lost,” said Lisa Frohnapfel, President and CEO of the Better Business Bureau. “Families get connected to the photos they see and the idea that the dog will soon be part of their family. When they finally realize it is a scam, the impact can be emotionally crushing.”
Puppy scammers lure people in with fake websites and photos of cute puppies, then ask for more money for shipping, vaccinations, or special crates. They are good at finding reasons to request additional money stated the BBB. Emotional connection to the pet can cause shoppers to often ignore the red flags.
The BBB shared a story about a man from Kentwood who reported that he lost money when he tried to buy a French Bulldog puppy online. The man tried to limit his risk by negotiating a payment of half the cost upfront and the other half on delivery. He was asked to pay using Zelle but kept having problems getting the payment to go through. After sending $250 he became fed up and asked for a refund, only to have the scammers disappear.
Another person from Traverse City tells a similar story when they tried to purchase a…
