How puppy fraud actually works
Puppy fraud is one of the most common online consumer scams, and it works because buyers are emotionally invested before they are financially committed. Here is what to watch for, whoever you buy from.
Warning signs
- The price is well below market. A pedigree puppy at half the going rate is bait.
- Payment only by irreversible methods. Gift cards, cryptocurrency, wire transfer or cash apps. All of these are chosen because you cannot get the money back.
- No live video. A real breeder will show you the puppy on a call. A scammer will always have a reason why they cannot.
- Reverse-image results. Search the listing photograph. If it appears on other sites, walk away.
- Escalating fees. After the deposit comes a crate fee, an insurance fee, a customs fee. Each one is the same scam repeating.
- Urgency. Another family is interested, the price goes up tomorrow, the transport leaves tonight.
What we do about it
- Payments run through an encrypted, PCI-compliant checkout with fraud monitoring
- Listings use photographs of the actual puppy, and we check for reuse
- You can speak to a named person at Bloom by phone before you pay
- We will arrange a video call with the breeder on request
- We will never ask for payment by gift card, crypto or cash transfer app
If you have been targeted
Stop paying immediately, keep every message, and report it to your bank and to your national consumer protection body. You are not the first and it is not your fault.