The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) is warning Michiganders to be on the lookout for fake dog breeder licenses. Scammers are using these fake licenses to trick people into buying pets from them.
In two recent cases, individuals were trying to purchase a small breed puppy from an online source. The scammers sent them a copy of their supposed Michigan dog breeder license. However, when the individuals contacted MDARD to confirm the license, they learned that it was fake.
MDARD is urging Michiganders to be cautious when purchasing pets online. If you are considering buying a pet from an online source, there are a few tips you can do to protect yourself:
Don't buy a pet without seeing it in person or through a live video call: This is the best way to make sure that the pet is healthy and that you are getting what you are paying for.
Conduct a reverse image search of the picture of the pet you are considering: This will help you to see if the same picture is being used on other websites.
Avoid wiring money or using a cash app or gift card: These payment methods are difficult to trace, which makes it more difficult to get your money back if you are scammed.
Think twice if someone advertises a purebred dog for free or at a deeply discounted price: This is often a sign of a scam.
If you think you may have been scammed, you should contact your local police department and the Michigan Department of Attorney General. You should also contact your banking institution if you think you have provided payment to a scammer.
For more information on how to identify and protect yourself from scams, please visit the Federal Trade Commission’s website or Better Business Bureau.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-chagin
Categories: Michigan, Rural Lifestyle