FLAGLER COUNTY, Fla. — The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office said it has received dozens of complaints about puppy scams throughout the county.
Since 2020, there have been 10 cases reported to the sheriff’s office and 20 cases reported to the Flagler Beach Police Department.
Deputies said in recent cases, victims have responded to ads on sites like Craigslist and social media platforms.
WATCH: ‘Just fell in love with her’: Firefighter adopts cat he rescued from Pet Alliance fire
Victims show interest in a puppy listed for sale, move forward with the process to reserve a puppy, put down a deposit or entire amount and the seller disappears, deputies said.
Deputies said there are several red flags to look out for when looking to buy a puppy.
• The seller prefers to handle communication solely via email and not over the phone.
• Photos posted of the dogs or shared with potential buyers are stock photos.
• Photos and descriptions of the animal can be found on multiple websites.
• Untraditional payment requests, where the seller asks for wiring of money or payment by gift cards.
• The price is too good to be true.
READ: Flagler animal rescue owner accused of selling drugs, animal abuse and neglect, sheriff says
Deputies said recent cases also included fraudulent American Kennel Club paperwork where the seller claimed the puppies were AKC-certified.
AKC-registered animals will always be listed through the AKC, and the certification can be verified by calling 919-233-9767, officials said.
Deputies said the AKC also allows people to see if there are any complaints filed about the seller.
Legitimate breeders are required by law to meet the minimum standards of humane animal care and treatment established by the Animal Welfare Act and enforced by the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services, deputies said.
READ: FDA advisers recommend Pfizer booster shots for people aged 65+, at high-risk
Flagler County officials shared some tips to verify the legitimacy of people re-homing or selling the animals:
• Ask for multiple pictures of the pet, including poses with specific items such as a recent newspaper or tennis ball, to make sure the pet is real.
• Ask for a phone number for the person who’s selling/re-homing the pet and the name of the veterinary clinic where the pet has been seen. If the seller won’t give the number or it’s not a US number, then it’s probably a scam. If you are provided phone numbers, call back and ask questions.
• If the seller says they are in a specific state and asks you to send money elsewhere, especially in another country, avoid it.
• If the person is claiming to be a breeder or rescue organization, ask for registration information. (All legitimate businesses and nonprofit organizations will be registered with SunBiz and the Department of Agriculture). You can verify at: https://dos.myflorida.com/sunbiz/search/
• Never pay cash via money order or Western Union. Always use a credit card in case you need to dispute charges.
• Be skeptical if the seller adds “additional charges” such as fees for veterinary visits, a different crate, travel expenses, pet insurance, etc. Pet insurance is NOT required for a pet to travel.
• Don’t trust a seller that pushes for the sale to happen quickly due to them moving, having to re-home the pet immediately, or stating that harm may come to the puppy if not taken in a timely manner.
• Do research to get a sense for the breed you’re seeking, the seller, or the agency, organization or rescue you’re selecting, and ensure you fully understand what is entailed in the cost.
WATCH: Disney cast members protest company’s vaccine mandate
“With the recent incidents of scammers finding new ways to steal money from residents, we want to ensure Flagler County residents are aware of these scams and how to protect themselves,” Sheriff Rick Staly said in a news release. “It saddens me to see people sinking to this level of using animals to make a quick buck. Be aware and lookout, report suspicious activity and do your research when adding a new pet to your family. We have some great local organizations that can help you adopt a pet, such as the Flagler Humane Society, so if you’re considering adopting, please make sure you’re selecting a reputable organization or person.”
Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, and click here to watch the latest news on your Smart TV.