384,946
Online shopping issue reports in 2024
FTC's Consumer Sentinel Data Book lists 384,946 reports involving online shopping issues in 2024.
Marketplace fraud/Facebook
Pet adoption deposit scam
A listing for a rare pet asks for transport, vaccination, or hold fees before the animal can be seen.
“pet scam”
↑ 220%Key indicators
Estimated impact
$400
median reported loss
Typical range$40 – $4.0K
Recovery rate~25%
Annual reports392,000
Scam breakdown
1
Scammers exploit the informal nature of local selling, ticket resale, rentals, and peer-to-peer trust.
2
The victim is nudged into trusting fake confirmations, fake escrow, or extra fees.
3
The loss usually happens when the item, deposit, or refund is released before true verification.
What to do first
Avoid deposits for pets that cannot be verified in person or through trusted rescues.
Related terms
puppy deposit scampet transport fee fraudMarketplace fraudFacebookRisingFamiliesPet seekersSmall business ownersCreators and online sellersMilitary and veteransGlobalpuppy deposit scampet transport fee fraud
Real-world example
How this scam plays out in practice
Based on reported patterns. Names and details are illustrative.
The setup
Carlos, 35, a families, encountered what appeared to be a legitimate marketplace fraud situation while using Facebook. Scammers exploit the informal nature of local selling, ticket resale, rentals, and peer-to-peer trust.
Step 2
What happened next was calculated: The victim is nudged into trusting fake confirmations, fake escrow, or extra fees.
Step 3
The pressure escalated quickly: The loss usually happens when the item, deposit, or refund is released before true verification.
The outcome
Carlos realized something was wrong when the seller always has excuses for why a live video call with the animal is impossible.. By that point, significant damage had already been done — money sent, personal information shared, or trust exploited.
The lesson
Avoid deposits for pets that cannot be verified in person or through trusted rescues. Carlos's experience shows why the seller always has excuses for why a live video call with the animal is impossible. and the buyer or seller pushes the conversation off-platform before the transaction is safe. are the clearest early warning signs.
How to identify it
- The seller always has excuses for why a live video call with the animal is impossible.
- The buyer or seller pushes the conversation off-platform before the transaction is safe.
- Screenshots or emails are used as proof instead of an actual app balance or verified listing flow.
- Stay inside the marketplace whenever possible. A fast move to text, email, or payment apps is a strong warning sign.
- Trust only the actual balance change in your bank or payment app, not screenshots or forwarded emails.
- Treat courier stories, overpayments, refunds, and 'upgrade your account first' requests as scam tactics.
What to do now
- ✓Avoid deposits for pets that cannot be verified in person or through trusted rescues.
- ✓Trust only the real platform, bank, or payment app balance and native notifications.
- ✓Keep messaging and payment inside the official marketplace flow when possible.
What to save before reporting
- ✓Save the listing URL, seller or buyer profile link, chat transcript, and payment screenshots.
- ✓Record usernames, phone numbers, email addresses, and pickup or shipping details used in the deal.
- ✓Keep order confirmations, reservation IDs, and the exact payment rail that was used.
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 Data Book 2024
$2.7B+
Consumers lost to social media scams since 2021
FTC says reported losses to scams that started on social media topped $2.7 billion since 2021.
#2
Online shopping issues are a top FTC scam category
FTC says online shopping scams were the second-most reported scam type in recent years, showing how much fake sellers and fake delivery still matter.
History and evolution
- Marketplace scams scaled as peer-to-peer selling and instant payment apps became normal for household goods and local resale.
- The specific payment story changes, but the pattern usually stays the same: urgency, screenshots, and pressure to release the item too early.
- Marketplace scams succeed because normal people expect informal negotiation, not formal fraud checks.
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.
- ✓Avoid deposits for pets that cannot be verified in person or through trusted rescues.
- ✓Trust only the real platform, bank, or payment app balance and native notifications.
- ✓Keep messaging and payment inside the official marketplace flow when possible.
Why this pattern keeps working
Marketplace scams thrive on speed and convenience. The scammer wants the item released, the deposit sent, or the payment rerouted before the target checks the real platform rules.
This family adapts quickly to peer-to-peer payment tools because screenshots and fake support emails let scammers simulate progress that never really happened.
Marketplace scams succeed because normal people expect informal negotiation, not formal fraud checks.
Expanded launch family for consumer marketplace coverage.
Where to report it
If you have been targeted by this scam, reporting it helps authorities track the pattern and protect others. Global has dedicated agencies that handle fraud reports.
Report cross-border scams
econsumer.gov (ICPEN)
International Consumer Protection and Enforcement Network portal for reporting cross-border online scams. Reports are shared with consumer protection agencies in 40+ countries.
Interpol financial crime guidance
Interpol
International policing guidance on online financial fraud, romance scams, and investment fraud operating across borders.
Report phishing emails
Anti-Phishing Working Group
Global industry coalition for reporting phishing emails and URLs. Forward phishing to [email protected].
Explore further
Understand the bigger picture
Who is most at risk
Who this scam targets
Primary targets
Families, Pet seekers
Geographic concentration
Global
Primary channel
Facebook — Marketplace fraud
Why this group is vulnerable
Families 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 2026-04-03. Red flags, recovery steps, and reporting resources are reviewed quarterly against current agency guidance.
Evidence and indicators
- Marketplace scams succeed because normal people expect informal negotiation, not formal fraud checks.
Source notes
- Expanded launch family for consumer marketplace coverage.
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about pet adoption deposit scam
How does the pet adoption deposit scam work?+
Scammers exploit the informal nature of local selling, ticket resale, rentals, and peer-to-peer trust. The victim is nudged into trusting fake confirmations, fake escrow, or extra fees. The loss usually happens when the item, deposit, or refund is released before true verification.
What are the warning signs of pet adoption deposit scam?+
The seller always has excuses for why a live video call with the animal is impossible. The buyer or seller pushes the conversation off-platform before the transaction is safe. Screenshots or emails are used as proof instead of an actual app balance or verified listing flow.
What should I do if I encounter pet adoption deposit scam?+
Avoid deposits for pets that cannot be verified in person or through trusted rescues. Trust only the real platform, bank, or payment app balance and native notifications. Keep messaging and payment inside the official marketplace flow when possible.
Who is most at risk for pet adoption deposit scam?+
This scam primarily targets Families, Pet seekers. It is most commonly reported in Global and typically appears on Facebook.
Is pet adoption deposit scam on the rise?+
Pet adoption deposit scam is currently on the rise with growing reports. It has been reported across Global. Last updated 2026-04-03.
Related scams
Similar scams to watch out for
Marketplace fraud
→ 0%Marketplace payment reversal scam
A buyer on a marketplace uses fake payment confirmation, overpayment stories, or refund pressure to get goods without completing a legitimate payment.
What to do first
Only trust the actual payment app or bank balance, not screenshots.
Targets
Casual sellers
Seen in
U.S.
Travel fraud
↑ 54%Travel booking message hijack scam
A traveler receives a realistic property or booking message that requests off-platform payment, identity verification, or a new deposit.
What to do first
Keep all communication and payment inside the booking platform.
Targets
Travelers
Seen in
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Identity theft
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Stolen identity details are used for medical claims or treatments, leading to fraudulent bills and corrupted records for the victim.
What to do first
Review insurance explanations of benefits regularly.
Targets
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Seen in
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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.
Relevant collections