$12.5B
FTC-reported fraud losses in 2024
FTC says consumers reported losing $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024.
fake breeder website scam
A professional-looking website poses as a licensed breeder, complete with fake reviews and registrations, to collect payments for puppies or kittens that do not exist.
“pet scam”
↑ 220%Key indicators
Usually targetsPet seekers
Often hitsTech workers and developers
Common regionUnited States
Last updated2026-04-04
Estimated impact
$960
median reported loss
Typical range$60 – $6.0K
Recovery rate~15%
Scam breakdown
1
Scammers create a polished website with stolen pet photos and fabricated AKC or CKC registration numbers.
2
The site includes fake testimonials and a professional application process.
3
After payment is collected, additional fees emerge or the seller stops communicating entirely.
What to do first
Verify registration numbers directly with the breed registry (AKC, CKC, TICA).
Related terms
fraudulent breeder sitefake kennel websitebogus cattery scamPet scamsWebsiteRisingPet seekersFamiliesAnimal loversTech workers and developersParents and familiesOnline shoppersUnited StatesUnited KingdomCanadafraudulent breeder sitefake kennel website
Real-world example
How this scam plays out in practice
Based on reported patterns. Names and details are illustrative.
The setup
Jessica, 35, a pet seekers, encountered what appeared to be a legitimate pet scams situation while using Website. Scammers create a polished website with stolen pet photos and fabricated AKC or CKC registration numbers.
Step 2
What happened next was calculated: The site includes fake testimonials and a professional application process.
Step 3
The pressure escalated quickly: After payment is collected, additional fees emerge or the seller stops communicating entirely.
The outcome
Jessica realized something was wrong when website was registered recently — check with a whois lookup. By that point, significant damage had already been done — money sent, personal information shared, or trust exploited.
The lesson
Verify registration numbers directly with the breed registry (AKC, CKC, TICA). Jessica's experience shows why website was registered recently — check with a whois lookup and no physical address is provided or the address maps to a vacant lot are the clearest early warning signs.
How to identify it
- Website was registered recently — check with a WHOIS lookup
- No physical address is provided or the address maps to a vacant lot
- All reviews are on the site itself with no verifiable third-party reviews
- Pause before paying, clicking, or sharing information. Scammers rely on speed.
- Verify the sender, company, or agency using a phone number or website you already know is legitimate.
- Treat secrecy, urgency, and off-platform payment requests as strong scam signals.
What to do now
- ✓Verify registration numbers directly with the breed registry (AKC, CKC, TICA).
- ✓Search the breeder's name and website in the BBB and breed-specific forums.
- ✓Insist on visiting the breeder's facility before paying.
What to save before reporting
- ✓Save the message, profile, phone number, email, or URL that was used.
- ✓Keep payment confirmations, receipts, and account alerts before you dispute or delete anything.
- ✓Write down the timeline while the details are still fresh.
How big is this problem
You are not alone — this scam affects millions of people.
These numbers come from government agencies and official reports. If you have been affected, know that this is a widespread problem — not something that only happens to careless people.
FTC 2024 fraud losses
Imposters
Most common FTC fraud category in 2024
FTC says imposter scams remained the most commonly reported fraud category in 2024.
History and evolution
- This scam family tends to persist because the social-engineering pressure works even when the exact scripts, platforms, and payment methods change.
- The specific packaging evolves over time, but the core pattern usually stays the same: create urgency, control the channel, and push action before verification.
- The AKC and BBB both maintain lists of reported fraudulent breeder websites.
Recovery and follow-up
- ✓Save the messages, receipts, account alerts, and transaction details before you block or delete anything.
- ✓Report the scam through the official platform or government channel that best matches where it happened.
- ✓Verify registration numbers directly with the breed registry (AKC, CKC, TICA).
- ✓Search the breeder's name and website in the BBB and breed-specific forums.
- ✓Insist on visiting the breeder's facility before paying.
Why this pattern keeps working
Even when the story changes, most scams still use the same pressure pattern: urgency, authority, and a request to move money or data fast.
The AKC and BBB both maintain lists of reported fraudulent breeder websites.
BBB Scam Tracker 2025
Where to report it
If you have been targeted by this scam, reporting it helps authorities track the pattern and protect others. United States has dedicated agencies that handle fraud reports.
ReportFraud.gov
Federal Trade Commission
Central U.S. consumer fraud reporting portal.
File an IC3 complaint
FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center
FBI portal for internet-enabled crime reports.
Start identity theft recovery
IdentityTheft.gov
Official U.S. identity theft recovery plan builder.
Explore further
Understand the bigger picture
Who is most at risk
Who this scam targets
Primary targets
Pet seekers, Families, Animal lovers
Geographic concentration
United States, United Kingdom, Canada
Primary channel
Website — Pet scams
Why this group is vulnerable
Pet seekers are particularly vulnerable because this scam exploits trust in familiar brands, authority figures, and time-sensitive decisions. The growing number of reports suggests that awareness among this demographic remains low.
Sources and methodology
How we verify this information
OpenScam tracks scam patterns using a combination of government consumer protection databases (FTC, IC3, Action Fraud), platform-specific fraud reports, and verified consumer complaint data. Each entry is cross-referenced against at least two independent sources before publication.
Severity ratings are based on financial impact potential, reversibility of damage, and volume of reports across multiple reporting channels. Trend velocity reflects the rate of change in report volume over the most recent 90-day window.
This page was last verified on 2026-04-04. Red flags, recovery steps, and reporting resources are reviewed quarterly against current agency guidance.
Evidence and indicators
- The AKC and BBB both maintain lists of reported fraudulent breeder websites.
Source notes
- BBB Scam Tracker 2025
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about fake breeder website scam
How does the fake breeder website scam work?+
Scammers create a polished website with stolen pet photos and fabricated AKC or CKC registration numbers. The site includes fake testimonials and a professional application process. After payment is collected, additional fees emerge or the seller stops communicating entirely.
What are the warning signs of fake breeder website scam?+
Website was registered recently — check with a WHOIS lookup No physical address is provided or the address maps to a vacant lot All reviews are on the site itself with no verifiable third-party reviews
What should I do if I encounter fake breeder website scam?+
Verify registration numbers directly with the breed registry (AKC, CKC, TICA). Search the breeder's name and website in the BBB and breed-specific forums. Insist on visiting the breeder's facility before paying.
Who is most at risk for fake breeder website scam?+
This scam primarily targets Pet seekers, Families, Animal lovers. It is most commonly reported in United States, United Kingdom, Canada and typically appears on Website.
Is fake breeder website scam on the rise?+
fake breeder website scam is currently on the rise with growing reports. It has been reported across US, UK, CA. Last updated 2026-04-04.
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Help someone avoid this scam.
Scammers succeed because people do not talk about it. If you or someone you know has been affected, there is no shame in it — it happens to millions of people every year. Share this page with friends and family so they know what to look for.
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