COLUMBUS, Ohio — While the holiday season is synonymous with generosity, some unscrupulous individuals are still attempting to defraud people, even resorting to fraudulent dog sales.
In the past year, the Better Business Bureau reported a staggering $2 million lost to online dog scams.
A family in central Ohio fell victim to this scam, losing nearly $3,000 while trying to purchase a Siberian husky from a website.
Dwaine Tipton, a legally blind veteran, sought a dog for emotional support, and his wife, Wanda, hoped the dog would provide him companionship when she couldn't be around.
After an online search, they believed they had found the perfect match from a breeder in Oklahoma City. They contacted the breeder, who priced the dog at $850 and initiated the purchase process.
Soon, the Tiptons were instructed to reach out to Uship Royal to make an initial payment for shipping the dog to Ohio, which amounted to $750. The company assured them this money would be refunded when they collected the dog at the Columbus airport.
However, a few days later, the shipping company demanded additional funds, which the Tiptons couldn't afford. In response, the company threatened to charge them $50 per day for boarding the dog.
Despite daily calls pressuring them to borrow from family or find ways to pay, the Tiptons refused. Uship Royal then proposed that they send $2,300, promising to reimburse them $5,000 for all fees after the dog's pickup. The Tiptons didn't send the additional money and requested a refund of the money they had already paid.
However, the Tiptons never received the promised reimbursement, and it became clear that they had fallen victim to a scam, leaving them without a dog, money, or any recourse.
The emotional and financial toll was immense, and Dwaine remarked, "It affected us emotionally a lot. I thought I was going to get a good support dog for the family and me. It's just like the bottom dropped out of it."
Unfortunately, the Tiptons are not alone in falling prey to online dog scams. Lee Anne Lanigan from the Better Business Bureau pointed out that pet scams like this one are prevalent and often target individuals seeking specific breeds at a low cost.
To protect yourself from pet scams, consider the following tips:
Avoid ordering dogs online. If you do, conduct thorough research.
Perform a reverse image search of the pet you're interested in. If the same image appears on multiple websites, it's likely a scam.
Never pay using Venmo, Cash App, or Zelle, as these methods offer no recourse for retrieving your money if you fall victim to fraud.
Research prices for the breed you're considering and be cautious of deals that seem too good to be true.
Consider adopting from a local animal shelter, which can provide loving companions while helping alleviate shelter overcrowding.
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