How To Protect a Teen from Pet and Puppy Scams
How to help a young person safely research a pet purchase and spot fake breeders and rehoming listings before any money changes hands.
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Pet and puppy scams target the excitement that comes with wanting a new animal companion. Fraudsters post convincing listings with appealing photos — often taken from legitimate breeders — and ask for deposits or full payment before any pet exists to be collected. Young people are particularly at risk because the emotional appeal is high and the pressure to act fast feels very real. Talking this through before the search begins is far easier than after a payment has been made.
Know the warning signs of a fake listing
Fake pet listings share recurring patterns that become obvious once you know to watch for them: prices noticeably lower than other listings for the same breed, a seller who refuses video calls or always has an excuse why the puppy cannot be seen in person, and requests to pay a deposit or 'shipping fee' via bank transfer or gift card before any meeting takes place. Photos that appear elsewhere online with a reverse image search, and sellers who suddenly add extra fees for crates, insurance, or vaccination certificates after the deposit is paid, are also strong signs of a scam. Walking a teen through a few real examples of scam listings side by side with genuine ones makes the difference far easier to spot on their own.
- Price that is significantly below what similar animals cost locally
- Seller who can only communicate via messaging apps, not by phone or video call
- Requests for payment by bank transfer, gift card, or cryptocurrency
- Reasons why the pet cannot be viewed in person before purchase
- Photos that reverse-image search reveals are taken from other websites
Establish safe steps for any pet search
Building a simple process together means your teen has something to fall back on the next time they find a listing that excites them, rather than needing to check with you every single time. Agree steps such as: always request a live video call showing the actual puppy and its surroundings, never send money before meeting in person or having a trusted adult verify the seller, and always search the seller's phone number or email address online before engaging further, since scam contact details often turn up on scam-warning forums. Practising the phrase 'I need to check this with a parent before I send anything' as a normal, non-embarrassing thing to say removes the social pressure a scammer counts on.
- Always reverse-image-search any photos before making contact
- Only consider listings where an in-person visit is possible before any money is paid
- Research the average price for the breed or animal type before looking at listings
- Talk to you before paying any deposit or full amount
Identify trustworthy sources
Steering the search toward more reputable channels from the start does more to prevent a scam than any amount of vigilance applied to a risky listing. Reputable breed clubs, registered rescue charities, and local vet-recommended breeders are far less likely to host fraudulent listings than open marketplace sites with minimal seller checks, and many maintain their own verified adopter or buyer processes. Encourage your teen to start with these sources first, and to treat an unusually good deal found through a random online ad or social media post as a reason for more scrutiny, not less. A short conversation about where healthy, well-bred puppies actually come from also helps a teen recognise when a price or story sounds too convenient to be true.
- Licensed breeders registered with the relevant national kennel or breed club
- Rescue and rehoming charities with a physical address and telephone number
- Local vets may know of reputable breeders or upcoming litters
- Avoid classified ad sites for high-value animals unless every check passes
Conversation script
“I love that you want a pet — before you start looking, can we go through a few things that will help us find a safe and legitimate one?”
“A lot of scam listings look completely real. The biggest rule is: never pay anything until you have actually seen and held the animal in person.”
“If you find a listing that looks perfect, share it with me before you contact them and we can check the photos together.”
Frequently asked questions
What if a deposit has already been paid and the seller has gone quiet?
Report the transaction to the bank immediately and ask about a chargeback. Report the listing to the platform where it appeared and to the national fraud reporting service. Keep all communications as evidence.
Is it safe to buy a pet from social media?
Fraud is common on social media marketplaces. If a listing is found that way, apply the same checks — reverse-image-search, insist on an in-person visit, and never pay in advance.