Animal lovers: learn to spot and avoid this breed of pet scams
Scammers use stolen or AI-generated pet photos and videos to trick animal lovers into sending money or sharing personal information.
How it works
You see an ad or post online featuring an adorable pet photo or video. The scammer claims to be selling the animal, offering a rescue, or running a pet charity. They ask you to wire money for adoption fees, shipping, or care costs, or they request your personal details to process a fake transaction.
Red flags to watch for
- Pet photos look perfect or too polished for a private seller
- Seller asks for wire transfer, gift cards, or cryptocurrency
- Story changes or seller becomes evasive when you ask questions
- Price is unusually low for a purebred or rare animal
- You cannot find the same pet photo anywhere else online
What to do
Do not send money or personal information to someone you have not verified in person. Reverse-image search any pet photos using Google Images or TinEye to check if they are stolen. If buying from a breeder or rescue, visit in person, ask for references, and use a payment method that offers buyer protection like a credit card.
If this reached you
Source: FTC . Scam Sentinel summarizes official guidance in plain language; it is a decision aid, not a guarantee.