$12.5B
FTC-reported fraud losses in 2024
FTC says consumers reported losing $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024.
pet shipping fee scam
After a puppy or kitten purchase, the buyer is told the pet requires a special climate-controlled crate, insurance, or customs fees that escalate indefinitely.
“pet scam”
↑ 220%Key indicators
Usually targetsPet seekers
Often hitsFreelancers and contractors
Common regionUnited States
Last updated2026-04-04
Estimated impact
$960
median reported loss
Typical range$60 – $6.0K
Recovery rate~15%
Scam breakdown
1
After a pet sale, the scammer introduces a shipping company — often one they also control.
2
The shipping company demands payment for a special crate, health certificate, and transport insurance.
3
Each time the buyer pays, a new required fee appears until the buyer stops paying.
What to do first
Legitimate pet shipping companies provide all-inclusive quotes upfront.
Related terms
pet transport scamanimal shipping fraudescalating delivery fee scamPet scamsEmailRisingPet seekersOnline shoppersFamiliesFreelancers and contractorsSmall business ownersPayroll, HR, and finance teamsUnited StatesCanadaAustraliapet transport scamanimal shipping fraud
Real-world example
How this scam plays out in practice
Based on reported patterns. Names and details are illustrative.
The setup
Megan, 35, a pet seekers, encountered what appeared to be a legitimate pet scams situation while using Email. After a pet sale, the scammer introduces a shipping company — often one they also control.
Step 2
What happened next was calculated: The shipping company demands payment for a special crate, health certificate, and transport insurance.
Step 3
The pressure escalated quickly: Each time the buyer pays, a new required fee appears until the buyer stops paying.
The outcome
Megan realized something was wrong when shipping company is not findable through standard business registries. By that point, significant damage had already been done — money sent, personal information shared, or trust exploited.
The lesson
Legitimate pet shipping companies provide all-inclusive quotes upfront. Megan's experience shows why shipping company is not findable through standard business registries and fees keep increasing — first a crate, then insurance, then customs clearance are the clearest early warning signs.
How to identify it
- Shipping company is not findable through standard business registries
- Fees keep increasing — first a crate, then insurance, then customs clearance
- Tracking information provided is fake or belongs to a different package
- 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
- ✓Legitimate pet shipping companies provide all-inclusive quotes upfront.
- ✓Verify the shipping company through the USDA and Better Business Bureau.
- ✓Stop paying and report the scam if additional fees keep appearing after the initial quote.
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.
- ✓Keep the full sender address, domain, attachments, and—if possible—the raw email headers.
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 BBB warns that escalating shipping fees are the hallmark of pet scams and almost always indicate fraud.
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.
- ✓Legitimate pet shipping companies provide all-inclusive quotes upfront.
- ✓Verify the shipping company through the USDA and Better Business Bureau.
- ✓Stop paying and report the scam if additional fees keep appearing after the initial quote.
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 BBB warns that escalating shipping fees are the hallmark of pet scams and almost always indicate fraud.
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, Online shoppers, Families
Geographic concentration
United States, Canada, Australia
Primary channel
Email — 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 BBB warns that escalating shipping fees are the hallmark of pet scams and almost always indicate fraud.
Source notes
- BBB Scam Tracker 2025
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about pet shipping fee scam
How does the pet shipping fee scam work?+
After a pet sale, the scammer introduces a shipping company — often one they also control. The shipping company demands payment for a special crate, health certificate, and transport insurance. Each time the buyer pays, a new required fee appears until the buyer stops paying.
What are the warning signs of pet shipping fee scam?+
Shipping company is not findable through standard business registries Fees keep increasing — first a crate, then insurance, then customs clearance Tracking information provided is fake or belongs to a different package
What should I do if I encounter pet shipping fee scam?+
Legitimate pet shipping companies provide all-inclusive quotes upfront. Verify the shipping company through the USDA and Better Business Bureau. Stop paying and report the scam if additional fees keep appearing after the initial quote.
Who is most at risk for pet shipping fee scam?+
This scam primarily targets Pet seekers, Online shoppers, Families. It is most commonly reported in United States, Canada, Australia and typically appears on Email.
Is pet shipping fee scam on the rise?+
pet shipping fee scam is currently on the rise with growing reports. It has been reported across US, CA, AU. 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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