How do I report a pet or puppy scam?
Report to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov, to the platform where the listing appeared, and to your state attorney general. Initiate a chargeback with your card issuer.
Last reviewed: 10 June 2026
Explanation
Pet scams typically involve fake listings for puppies, kittens, or rare breeds on social media, classified sites, or even dedicated pet sale platforms. After collecting a deposit, the 'seller' adds additional charges — for shipping, insurance, or veterinary clearance — before disappearing entirely.
Report to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and to the platform where the listing was placed. For classified sites like Craigslist or Gumtree, use the report button on the listing. For social media platforms, report the profile and the post. If the listing used a legitimate pet registry, contact that registry to have the fraudulent breeder removed.
In the UK, Pets4Homes and similar platforms have dedicated fraud reporting channels. Report to the Report Fraud service (formerly Action Fraud) for the crime record. For listings that violated Animal Welfare Act breeding regulations, also report to your local council's animal welfare team.
If you paid by card, initiate a chargeback for goods not received. Wire transfers and bank transfers are harder to recover but still worth attempting immediately. Report to your bank's fraud team with full details. The FTC's pet scam tip sheet recommends always visiting a breeder in person before paying any deposit.
Common red flags
- The price was much lower than typical for the breed
- The seller could not provide live video of the puppy with you holding a sign
- Delivery required additional fees for vaccination, customs, or insurance
- The breeder was abroad or had a very new social media profile
- Payment was required by wire transfer or cryptocurrency
- Photos appeared in reverse image searches linked to other listings
What to do now
- Report to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov
- Report the listing to the platform via its abuse tool
- Initiate a chargeback with your card issuer for goods not received
- Do a reverse image search on the pet photos
- Warn the platform's community by posting in relevant groups
- See /scams/pet-animal-scams for how pet scams work
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if a pet listing is legitimate before I buy?
Visit the breeder in person if possible, or use live unscripted video to see the puppy in its current environment. Ask for documentation from a recognised kennel club and check the breeder is registered if required in your area.
Can I still report a pet scam that happened years ago?
Yes. Report to the FTC or Report Fraud regardless of when it happened. There is no time limit on fraud reports, though chargeback options are typically limited to 60 to 120 days.
Sources
- FTC — Getting a Pet? Avoid Scams — Federal Trade Commission
- BBB — Pet Scams — Better Business Bureau
- BBB — Puppy Scams Study — Better Business Bureau
- Scamwatch — Buying and Selling Scams — Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (Scamwatch)