How to Spot and Avoid Puppy Scams
Puppy scams follow a small number of patterns, and almost all of them fall apart when you apply a few simple checks. This guide covers the warning signs, the checks that catch them, and what to do if a listing looks wrong — whether you found it on PuppyList or anywhere else.
The most common warning signs
A price far below what the breed normally sells for. Pressure to pay immediately or lose the puppy. Requests for wire transfers, gift cards, or payment-app transfers to someone you have not verified. A seller who will not get on a phone or video call. Photos that look professional but generic — scammers reuse stock photos and steal images from real breeders. Surprise fees after you pay a deposit ("shipping insurance", "special crate", "vaccination refund") are the classic second act of a scam that already has your first payment.
Five checks that catch almost every scam
1. Talk to the seller — voice or video
A real breeder will get on a call and talk about the litter in detail: the parents, how the puppies are raised, health care so far. A scammer avoids live conversation or keeps it strangely short.
2. Ask for photos or video of the actual puppy — today
Ask for a specific photo: "the puppy next to today’s newspaper" or a short video where the seller says your name. Stock-photo scams fail this test instantly.
3. Reverse-search the photos
Drag the listing photos into a reverse image search. If the same puppy appears on several unrelated sites, walk away.
4. Confirm every detail directly
Price, deposit, payment method, pickup or transport, health records, vaccination status — confirm all of it with the breeder before any money moves. Vague or shifting answers are a warning sign in themselves.
5. Never rush a payment
Urgency is the scammer’s most reliable tool. A responsible breeder does not need your money in the next hour. If you feel pushed, stop — that feeling is the signal.
Safer ways to pay
Prefer payment methods with real recourse, and be very cautious with irreversible transfers (wire, gift cards, crypto, friends-and-family app payments) to anyone you have not verified in person or on video. Get the price, health guarantee, and return policy in writing before paying.
If a listing looks suspicious
On PuppyList, use the "Report this listing" link on the listing page — our moderation team reviews every report and removes listings that break the guidelines. Wherever you found the listing, do not send money, and if you already have, contact your payment provider immediately.
Browse with the checklist in hand
Read the full buyer safety checklist on our Listing Guidelines & Buyer Safety page, then browse available puppies knowing exactly what to verify. Every PuppyList listing shows the breeder behind it, and you always deal with the breeder directly.