How much is that puppy in the window? First, make sure it even exists! The BBB says it’s received thousands of reports of puppy scams in the last year, with over $1 million in losses.
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00:00How much is that puppy in the window?
00:02First, make sure it even exists.
00:04A new report reveals the shocking number of people falling to online puppy scams,
00:09particularly on Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist.
00:12The Better Business Bureau says it's received thousands of reports of puppy scams in the last year,
00:17totaling more than $1 million in losses.
00:20Warning, about 80% of sponsored pet ads online could be fake.
00:24In the news, recently one woman was scammed out of $5,000 in gift cards
00:29when trying to buy her grandson a Yorkshire Terrier via Facebook Marketplace.
00:34And in Illinois, one man faces up to 80 years in prison for 16 different charges related to online puppy scams.
00:41The FTC recommends rather than risky sites like Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace,
00:45stick to local animal shelters.
00:47And if looking online, reverse image search the photo of the animal to make sure it's not a stock image.
00:53Conduct in-person visits and never accept payments through gift cards.
00:57Be cautious of money transfers and paying through an app like Venmo.
01:00Remember, a legitimate breeder will always want an in-person meeting or video chat
01:05so you can meet the newest member of your family.