Puppy Deposit Scams via Venmo
How fraudsters collect Venmo 'reservation deposits' for puppies and then stack endless fees before vanishing.
Part of: Puppy Deposit Scams
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Puppy deposit scams often use Venmo to collect a reservation deposit, sending money instantly to a personal handle with no buyer protection. The deposit is framed as the way to claim a specific puppy before someone else does.
Venmo payments to others are treated like cash and are generally not reversible, which is why scammers prefer them. A seller asking for a Venmo deposit on an unseen puppy is a clear fraud signal.
How this scam works on Venmo
The buyer is shown a puppy and told to Venmo a deposit to a personal handle to reserve it. Urgency is created by claiming other buyers are interested.
After the deposit, add-on costs appear — crate, insurance, vet papers — each requested via more Venmo transfers. The puppy is always described as ready but blocked by one more fee.
The puppy never ships and the handle goes quiet. Because Venmo payments to personal accounts are usually irreversible, the deposit and fees are lost.
Common red flags
- A breeder asks for a Venmo deposit to a personal handle
- Urgency that other buyers are about to take the puppy
- Add-on fees stacked via additional Venmo transfers
- No live video call of the specific puppy
- Listing photos found elsewhere online
- No verifiable address or in-person visit option
How to protect yourself
- Avoid Venmo deposits for puppies from unverified sellers
- Insist on a live video call of the specific puppy first
- Reverse-image-search the photos in the listing
- Use buyer-protected payment methods for deposits
- If you paid, report the recipient to Venmo support
- Buy from verifiable local breeders or shelters
How to report it
- Report to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov or your local equivalent
- Report the payment and recipient through Venmo's in-app support
- Report the listing to the platform where it appeared
Frequently asked questions
Why do scammers create urgency about 'other buyers' wanting the puppy?
Manufactured urgency is designed to make you pay before you have time to verify the seller, do a reverse image search, or ask for a live video call. A genuine seller with real, high demand can still accommodate basic verification steps; refusal to wait even briefly is a red flag.
What details should I get from a breeder before sending any deposit?
Ask for a live video call showing the specific puppy, a verifiable address, references from previous buyers you can actually contact, and proof of any relevant registration. If a seller resists providing these, treat the listing as high-risk regardless of how appealing the photos look.
Is a small puppy deposit safe to send by Venmo?
Not to an unverified seller. Even small deposits are commonly stolen, and Venmo payments to personal accounts are generally irreversible. Verify the puppy with a live video call and use a buyer-protected payment method before sending any deposit.