Puppy Scams
By Bob McDonnellAfter hearing that Kate is “very affectionate” and “likes to give kisses all the time,” many Virginians wanted to buy her.
Amy Roman, a Richmond teacher, was enticed by a photo of Kate sitting in a pink car wearing a pink bow, and paid $800 for her.
Kate is a Teacup Yorkshire terrier. Unbeknownst to Roman, she was one of the many puppies used as bait in the latest consumer scam hitting Virginia.
Roman sent a money order to Kate’s “breeder” but the puppy never came. The “breeder” kept asking for more money to cover last minute costs. Roman refused, and the puppy never arrived. (Roman eventually got her money back after notifying law enforcement. It turned out that the lady scamming her was in Nigeria.)
Melissa Rivera of Colonial Heights was also the recent victim of a puppy scam. She desperately wanted a Chihuahua puppy, but “the average price tag of $1,000 was too much,” she said. Rivera kept searching and hoping she could find a puppy in her price range. She thought she had found the perfect inexpensive Chihuahua on the Internet. Rivera traded e-mails with the owner and sent a money gram, but the puppy never arrived and the “breeder” disappeared. Rivera’s advice to other puppy shoppers: “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.”
When my wife, kids and I were looking for a dog, we traveled to the breeder’s home, before buying our puppy Ginger, who’s now 8 years old. But if you don’t have the luxury of seeing the puppy in-person, I would advise you to ask the seller for at least three references, plus have the seller put you in touch with the puppy’s veterinarian.
For more info, visit the American Kennel Club’s Web site, www.akc.org, and search “puppy scams” or “breeder referrals.”
If you’ve been victimized by a puppy scam, contact your local authorities. Then please notify our office by completing our contact form or calling our Consumer Hotline, 800-451-1525.
We take consumer protection seriously in our office, and have people who can help with prevention and victimization. In an age of increased scams by mail, phone and the Internet, Virginians must be educated and vigilant.
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