BBB International Investigation Exposes Online Puppy Scams

According to a report by Better Business Bureau (BBB), scams to sell non-existent puppies and other pets may be so widespread that anyone searching for a pet online is likely to encounter this fraud.

The report — “Puppy Scams: How Fake Online Pet Sellers Steal from Unsuspecting Pet Buyers” — estimates that tens of thousands of consumers around the world may have fallen victim to the scam, with prospective buyers losing anywhere from $100 to thousands of dollars each to the thieves. A summary of the study can be found at: go.bbb.org/puppyscam.

The report was prepared by C. Steven Baker, retired director of the Federal Trade Commission’s Midwest Region. He is working with five BBBs, including the Omaha office, analyzing and reporting on some of the most pervasive fraud issues that impact American consumers.

Since its release in September, the study received worldwide media coverage with an audience reach of over 1.3 billion.