Puppy Deposit Scams on Pinterest
Pinterest pins promoting puppy breeders route buyers to external sites or contact information where fraudulent breeders collect deposits for puppies that are never delivered.
Part of: Puppy Deposit Scams
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Pinterest's image discovery function is used by legitimate breeders to showcase their dogs, but fraudulent actors copy this content strategy to create pins that appear to represent genuine breeding operations. A buyer who discovers an appealing breed through Pinterest search may reach a scammer's website or social profile before finding a legitimate breeder.
Because Pinterest pins link to external sites, the scam operation can be hosted anywhere while the Pinterest pin provides a trust signal through the platform's association with home, family, and lifestyle content.
How this scam works on Pinterest
A Pinterest pin featuring beautiful puppy photographs links to a website or contact form for a 'registered breeder'. The website is professionally designed but contains stolen images and fabricated credentials. Buyers who contact the 'breeder' and express interest are asked to pay a deposit to reserve a puppy from the current or upcoming litter.
After payment, the buyer receives periodic email updates with more stolen photos before the breeder becomes unavailable or demands additional fees. The website may be taken down as complaints accumulate.
Common red flags
- Pinterest pin linking to a breeder website with very limited verifiable contact information
- Breeder website contains photos that return multiple results in a reverse image search
- Deposit requested without offering in-person or live video verification of the puppy
- Breeder claims to be in a different region or country from the buyer, necessitating delivery
- Website has no registration, club membership, or inspection credentials that can be verified
- Contact is only possible via email or a messaging app, with no phone number provided
How to protect yourself
- Reverse image search all photos on breeder websites found through Pinterest
- Verify breeder credentials with the relevant national Kennel Club or breed society before contacting
- Insist on visiting the breeder in person or arranging a live video call before any payment
- Search the breeder's name, website, and phone number for complaints or scam reports
- Prefer breeders who are members of recognised breed clubs with audited welfare standards
How to report it
- Report the Pinterest pin using the three-dot menu and selecting 'Report Pin'
- File a complaint with the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov or Action Fraud at actionfraud.police.uk
- Report the fraudulent breeder website to the domain registrar using ICANN's WHOIS lookup tool
Frequently asked questions
The breeder's website looks professionally designed with lots of information — doesn't that indicate legitimacy?
No — professional website templates and stock content are inexpensive and easy to obtain, so polish alone doesn't verify authenticity. Independently verify registration with a national Kennel Club or breed society instead of relying on the site's appearance.
Should I contact the phone number listed on a Pinterest-linked breeder site before paying?
Yes, but verify who answers by asking specific, hard-to-fake questions about the puppy and requesting a live video call — scam operations sometimes staff phone lines with accomplices who provide reassuring but generic answers.
How do I find the original breeder if my reverse image search shows the photos are stolen?
Note the other websites or social accounts the search returns, since one of them may be the legitimate original breeder — consider alerting them that their images are being used fraudulently elsewhere.
Are all puppy breeders found through Pinterest pins potentially fraudulent?
No — legitimate breeders do use Pinterest for promotion. The risk is in paying any deposit before meeting the puppy and breeder in person or on verified live video. Always independently verify credentials through breed clubs before purchasing.