Steering Clear Of Puppy Scams (NAPSA)—Oneof the latest— and some would say most heartless—scamsto hit the Web targets people looking for a puppy. Here’s how it works: Scammers post an online ad or Website or send an e-mail claiming to have a purebred puppy they can no longer take care of. They offer it to you for a tantalizingly low price. The catch, of course, is that buyers must wire money before the dog is shipped. Not a good idea, warns American Kennel Club spokesperson Lisa Peterson: “These scams have cost people thousandsofdollars.” It’s a story Houston resident Nita Bosley knows all too well. She recently responded to an ad for a bulldog placed by what turned out to be an Internet scammer. After wiring $450 to a Nigerian account—as well as another $360 to pay for “additional shipping costs”—Bosley began to get suspicious. But by then it was too late. In the end, she lost nearly $1,000. Protecting Yourself Fortunately, there are ways you can sort out scams from legiti- mate offers. In addition to being especially wary of anyone asking you to send money abroad, the AKCoffers thesetips: Never wire money to pay for a puppy. * Beware of anyone who seems preoccupied with immediate payment. Be certain you have clear expectations—ideally, in writing— of the puppy’s full cost before sending money. ae Photocredit: Isabelle Francais for AKC A new scam usesthe Internet to target dog buyers. * Don’t be fooled by Web sites or photos. Some scammerscreate professional-looking sites or post pictures specifically to lure unsuspecting buyers. If you find a breeder online, call to discuss the puppy and ask for references before paying. Better yet, visit the breeder in person. As a final tip, Peterson says to check with the AKC. “Scammers sometimes advertise as AKC registered,” she explains. “Ask for the AKC litter number. Then call us at (919) 233-9767 to verify the validity of the litter.” If you’ve been the victim of a scam, report it to local authorities and the Better Business Bureau (www.bbb.org). To learn about responsible breeders or to contact AKC parent clubs, visit www.ake.org.
