It’s one of the most timeless holiday moments and unforgettable gifts; unwrapping a giant box to reveal the adoring eyes of a new puppy or kitten.
But that priceless present could turn into a costly surprise, the Better Business Bureau warns, due to an exponential increase in pet scams this year that has left would-be owners heartbroken and several hundred dollars poorer too. According to the BBB, the U.S. and Canada are on-track to field 4,300 pet scam reports this year, totaling more than $3.1 million in losses. That’s more than double the rate from a year ago, and marks a nearly fivefold increase in this type of fraud since 2017.
“COVID-19 has made for a long and uncertain year, and a ‘quarantine puppy’ or other pet has proven to be a comfort for many people, but it also has created fertile ground for fraudsters,” said Michelle L. Corey, BBB St. Louis president and CEO. “People currently shopping for pets online are prime targets for fraudsters trolling the internet looking for want-to-be pet owners. Knowing the red flags associated with this scam can help consumers avoid heartache and losing their money.”