Clues that the ad may be a scam:

• Scammer post ADORABLE puppy pictures, but never adults.
• The puppy is super CHEAP (offer to good to be true) so it gets your attention!
• They never include a phone # in the ad
• Ads are usually set up on NEW accounts, created that day
• They may have one to four stolen pictures of a puppy they post
• They make excuses when NEW pictures of that puppy can't be sent on request
• Shipping is included in advertised price (price is unrealistically low)
• Replies include reasons why the puppy must be shipped, or given away
• Shipping is usually from another country
• The contact # is not a USA phone number
• Reasons they need to "give away the dog" religious relocations, emergencies
• The scammer is usually in another country for some legit sounding reason
• They say shipping will be arranged to your airport
• They want you to send $$$, asking you to "Wire" it to them.
• They promise once they get $$$ puppy will be shipped
• Once you send $$ they will demand more money for taxes, flight difficulties, custom difficulties, ect.

​How to avoid an online scam:​

• The easiest way is to not buy online
• Buy only from a local REPUTABLE BREEDER
• Always meet the BREEDER and some of their adult dogs

​If you do decide to buy ONLINE:​

• Always ask for pictures of the parents
• Ask for information on the parents
• Ask for NEW pictures of the advertised puppy
• Ask for a video of the puppy
• Ask for references
• Ask for the phone # of the vet they use, call that vet
• Look them up on GOOGLE by email or full name
• If they have a website, see if pictures of parents are included there
• On a website be sure they email you using matches the one on the site
• Some scammers pretend to be the site owner, but use a different email
• Call them and be sure the # is USA #.