Better Business Bureau warns of increase in pet scams during pandemic

The Better Business Bureau is warning Minnesotans of an increase in pet scams that are occurring during the pandemic.

The BBB cited the rise in the number of people working from home and the upcoming holiday for the rise in pet scams.

The ability to tell a customer they cannot visit the animal in person before paying for it has also provided an excuse for scammers, according to the organization.

So far, there has been an estimated loss of $2.8 million in pet scams in 2020. More than $3 million is expected to be lost by the end of the year.

The BBB urges customers to follow these recommendations when purchasing a pet online:

  • Avoid buying a pet without seeing it in person
  • Avoid wiring money
  • Beware of websites or ads with spelling errors
  • If the price is too good to be true, it’s probably a scam
  • Get two references from the breeder