Puppy Lovers Beware

Con artists operating overseas are taking advantage of puppy lovers across the country. The American Kennel Club along with the Council of Better Business Bureaus is issuing a warning to everyone in the market for a new puppy. Slick web sites, classified ads and emails are popping up all over. The fraudulent breeders offer cheap or even free puppies. But instead of getting a new friend you get conned out of your hard earned money.

Communicating mainly through emails the scammer often claims to be with a religious organization being relocated to another country and needs to find his dogs a new home. For a small shipping fee, usually around 500 dollars, he tells his victims he will ship the dog to their city. All they need to do is pick the dog up at the airport.

“The consumer can be taken by the sincerity of the scammer, who’ll say that they don’t care about the money they just want to find the dog a good home for their beloved puppies,” warns Steve Cox, a vice president with the Council of Better Business Bureaus. “But then the fees for shipping the pet mount up and the consumer can lose hundreds of dollars before realizing they have been conned and will never get their puppy.”

The bogus emails and advertisements usually offer very popular and very expensive English Bulldogs. Some con artists even claim the dogs were rescued from war torn countries. Bulldogs can sell for as much as 15-hundred dollars or more so the offer of getting one for less then half that entices bulldog lovers to send the money.

American Kennel Club spokesperson Lisa Peterson points out, “Because of the emotional investment in buying a dog, consumers are more vulnerable to being taken advantage of and letting their guard down.” She recommends everyone do his or her homework when buying a dog from any breeder. “A dog is a major investment, a living breathing being who will rely on you for 10 years or more. Take time to educate yourself on the hallmarks of a legitimate and responsible breeder,” Peterson says.

Schemes and Cons

It seems everyday I get an email from someone who was conned out of their hard earned money. The bogus pitches can come over the phone, by email or even in person. Over the next few weeks I plan on exploring some of these schemes in an effort to help you protect yourself from becoming a victim. Please check back periodiclly as I post my “Scheme Alerts”.