PEORIA, Ill. — Puppy scams are nothing new, but due to COVID-19, the scams are seeing new life.
Jessica Tharp, with the Better Business Bureau of Central Illinois, said that’s especially true as we approach the holidays, when families often get a new pet.
“Lots more victims of puppy scames. People are home and they think they can take care of a puppy more, and interest in puppies is increased,” Tharp said.
To protect yourself from being scammed, Tharp said it’s best to go see the puppy in-person, or at least request a video call with the seller, which scammers of course won’t agree to.
Tharp said scammers are preying on people on various forms of social media that are wanting puppies.
“Long story short, they will pay hundreds of dollars for a pet online, and never receive the pet,” Tharp said.
More and more these days, scammers are using apps to get people to pay for pets online.
Tharp said scammers will often ask for extra money to cover special insurance to ship the pet.
Here is the full interview with the BBB’s Jessica Tharp.
For more information about current scams, click HERE.
