$12.5B
FTC-reported fraud losses in 2024
FTC says consumers reported losing $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024.
puppy deposit scam
A seller advertises puppies online, collects a deposit, then either never delivers the puppy or demands additional fees for shipping, insurance, and crates.
“pet scam”
↑ 220%Key indicators
Usually targetsPet seekers
Often hitsSmall business owners
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 post adorable puppy photos — often stolen from real breeders — on classified sites.
2
A deposit is requested to reserve the puppy, followed by escalating fees for delivery.
3
The puppy never arrives, and the seller eventually stops responding.
What to do first
Visit the breeder in person or request a live video call with the specific puppy.
Related terms
online puppy scampuppy deposit frauddog sale scamPet scamsWebsiteRisingPet seekersFamiliesFirst-time pet ownersSmall business ownersTech workers and developersCreators and online sellersUnited StatesCanadaUnited Kingdomonline puppy scampuppy deposit fraud
Real-world example
How this scam plays out in practice
Based on reported patterns. Names and details are illustrative.
The setup
Ashley, 35, a pet seekers, encountered what appeared to be a legitimate pet scams situation while using Website. Scammers post adorable puppy photos — often stolen from real breeders — on classified sites.
Step 2
What happened next was calculated: A deposit is requested to reserve the puppy, followed by escalating fees for delivery.
Step 3
The pressure escalated quickly: The puppy never arrives, and the seller eventually stops responding.
The outcome
Ashley realized something was wrong when seller has no verifiable physical address or kennel name. By that point, significant damage had already been done — money sent, personal information shared, or trust exploited.
The lesson
Visit the breeder in person or request a live video call with the specific puppy. Ashley's experience shows why seller has no verifiable physical address or kennel name and all communication is via email or text with excuses for not meeting in person are the clearest early warning signs.
How to identify it
- Seller has no verifiable physical address or kennel name
- All communication is via email or text with excuses for not meeting in person
- Additional fees keep appearing after the initial deposit — shipping, insurance, customs
- 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
- ✓Visit the breeder in person or request a live video call with the specific puppy.
- ✓Reverse image search puppy photos to check if they appear on other sites.
- ✓Report pet scams to the BBB, FTC, and the platform where the ad appeared.
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 BBB reported that pet scams were the riskiest online scam in 2023, with the highest likelihood of financial loss.
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.
- ✓Visit the breeder in person or request a live video call with the specific puppy.
- ✓Reverse image search puppy photos to check if they appear on other sites.
- ✓Report pet scams to the BBB, FTC, and the platform where the ad appeared.
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 reported that pet scams were the riskiest online scam in 2023, with the highest likelihood of financial loss.
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, First-time pet owners
Geographic concentration
United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia
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 BBB reported that pet scams were the riskiest online scam in 2023, with the highest likelihood of financial loss.
Source notes
- BBB Scam Tracker 2025
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about puppy deposit scam
How does the puppy deposit scam work?+
Scammers post adorable puppy photos — often stolen from real breeders — on classified sites. A deposit is requested to reserve the puppy, followed by escalating fees for delivery. The puppy never arrives, and the seller eventually stops responding.
What are the warning signs of puppy deposit scam?+
Seller has no verifiable physical address or kennel name All communication is via email or text with excuses for not meeting in person Additional fees keep appearing after the initial deposit — shipping, insurance, customs
What should I do if I encounter puppy deposit scam?+
Visit the breeder in person or request a live video call with the specific puppy. Reverse image search puppy photos to check if they appear on other sites. Report pet scams to the BBB, FTC, and the platform where the ad appeared.
Who is most at risk for puppy deposit scam?+
This scam primarily targets Pet seekers, Families, First-time pet owners. It is most commonly reported in United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia and typically appears on Website.
Is puppy deposit scam on the rise?+
puppy deposit scam is currently on the rise with growing reports. It has been reported across US, CA, UK, 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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