Start outside the seller’s links
Search the seller or business name with terms such as scam, complaint and review. Compare contact details using independently found organization websites. Look for copied puppy images with an image search. A clean search result is not a guarantee: a new impersonation may have no complaint history.
Check identity and the actual animal
Ask how you can meet or observe the actual puppy and caregiver through a safe, verifiable arrangement. Confirm claimed club membership with the club using its official contact details. A copied registration document, prerecorded video or social profile can be impersonated; avoid relying on a single item of evidence.
Pause when payment pressure appears
Be cautious about urgent deposits, payment through gift cards, cryptocurrency or methods with limited recovery options, and unexpected transport or insurance charges. Verify a claimed carrier directly through its official website. Do not send additional money just because a previous payment has already been made.
A worked warning-sign example
Illustrative example: a seller refuses independent identity checks, insists on immediate payment and later introduces a separate shipping fee from a new contact. Pause the transaction, save the messages and verify the claims independently. These warning signs justify caution but are not a legal finding about a named person.
If you suspect you have been scammed
Contact your payment provider promptly using its official channel and ask what reporting or dispute options apply. Preserve receipts, messages and the listing address. In the United States, report suspected fraud at ReportFraud.ftc.gov; elsewhere use the appropriate local reporting authority. Reporting does not guarantee recovery, and offers to recover money for an advance fee deserve independent verification.
Your practical checklist
Use this checklist here, or print it to keep with your notes.
Notes for your next step
Add a brief note beside each task, then print this guide. These notes stay in this page and are not saved or sent.
Common questions
Does a registration logo prove the seller is legitimate?
No. Verify the specific claim independently with the organization.
Will reporting guarantee my money back?
No. Ask your payment provider about applicable options and use official reporting channels.