Looking for a pet online is a great way to find exactly what you are looking for. But unfortunately there are people who try to take advantage of online shoppers. So as an effort to help keep our visitors safe from these predators we have put together a list of tips that should help you spot a scammer right away. If you feel that someone is scamming on this sight please report it immediately and we will investigate the matter.

Tips for avoiding a scam

1. Be skeptical of breeders who can only provide one picture of the pet. Most breeders have more than one picture of the pet they are selling. When you look at an ad, you should pay attention to the pictures the breeder has posted. Scammers have a tendency to post only one picture of a pet because they usually steal pictures those pictures from other places on the internet.  Don’t be afraid to ask the breeder to send additional pictures of the pet.
2. Never deal with a breeder who is not willing to exchange numbers with you at some point in time before purchasing the pet. Contacting breeders initially through email is normal. But the breeder should be willing to talk with you over the phone. Most reputable breeders have a contact number because they mean business. Scammers are not as willing to give out there number and are usually hard to contact.
3. If its sounds too good to be true then it probably is. There are many dog owners who want to find a home for their new born puppies and may charge a little less than a professional breeder, but the price should still be close to the going price. Breeders may have many prices but there is a general price range for all pets. If your breeder is asking for $100, for a pet that usually cost $1000 then you should be very skeptical.
4. Do not send money through Money Transfers, Western Union, Money Orders, Checks, etc. There is no way to cancel or trace the money once it’s sent. Using these methods of payment is very risky because you do not know who you are sending your money to. And you will be left hoping that the breeder you sent your money to is a legit one. As an alternative you can use resources like www.PayPal.com to make secure payments that gives you more control and confidence. www.PayPal.com verifies all of their buyers and sellers.
5. Do not send money overseas. There are thousands of Breeders in America to choose from. All breeders on PetScouters.com have a United States address. If the breeder asks you to send money outside of the United States for example London, Africa, Nigeria or any place else then you should cancel the deal. Large numbers of scammers come from overseas. This is a red flag, so run, run, run, as fast as you can from these types of breeders.
6. Before purchasing your pet make sure that you have a clearly defined contract. The contract should include details on what type of pet is being purchased, refund policy, health guarantees, timeframe to have pet examined if applicable, and registration papers if applicable. All agreements and promises made should be in your contract. This will help eliminate miscommunication between you the buyer and your chosen breeder. Basically put everything in writing to protect yourself from any problems that may arise.

6. Last but certainly not least, do not do business with a breeder who does not respect your wishes. If the breeder is giving a hard time with your request or questions, then that is a red flag. Breeders should have patience and understanding when dealing with clients. Purchasing a pet is a very big decision and breeders know this.

We want your scouting experience to be a pleasant one. We hope that this information will help you on your quest to find the perfect pet.
Happy Scouting,