Are you looking to add a little Yorkie cuteness to your family? There are plenty of legitimate breeders out there who can help you do this, but unfortunately, some are in it just to take your money. If you’re new to the dog world, here are some signs that could mean the breeder you’re dealing with isn’t legitimate. If they show any of these signs, steer clear, because they might be trying to scam you out of your hard-earned cash and a sweet little puppy.
#1: Free to a good home\rehoming fee scam
If you're looking for a free dog, be very careful. There are scammers out there who will post ads online or in social media channels offering a free to a good home Yorkie puppy. But before you go to pick up the pup, they'll demand money for the vaccinations, adoption fees, or food cost, or rehoming fee- paid via Cashapp or Venmo. If you refuse to pay, they may become more aggressive or threatening to have the puppy given to someone else. You decide to pay... Upon the arrive at the scheduled location, they will be nowhere in sight, and turn off the communication channels and you can't get your money back. Don't fall for this.
#2: Low holding deposit scam
If you're looking for a fully papered AKC, APRI, CKC Yorkie puppy online watch out for this scam. A common scam is a home breeder that requires a low holding deposit - often just $100 to $300 - to secure the puppy a fully papered puppies’ that at an unbelievable price $800 to $1,200. Once you send the money, the scammer disappears, and you never get your puppy. It is important that you protect yourself by only dealing with reputable breeders. It is important to be aware that breeders require a reasonable holding deposit for their puppies to be secured and are transparent about their business practices. Puppy scammers are usually posing as home breeders that are selling not as a business. It is important to ask breeders for their business license information or check the state business registry for the secretary of state. A small amount of time to review the breeder can save you hundreds or thousands of dollars.
#3: Extremely low price for a older puppy
If you're looking for a Yorkie puppy online, be very careful. There are scammers out there who will list a low price for a older puppy that did not sell. They act as home breeders selling their puppies at unbelievable prices only if you buy now. They typically create urgency advising that other buyers have messaged but no one has bought the puppy. "If you buy the puppy now, it’s yours for _____ less." once you've expressed interest. Scammers typically even send fake photos or videos of the puppy to make you think you're getting a real & great deal. Don't fall for it! These scammers can be very convincing, but they're just out to take your money.
#4: Shipping and delivery scam
One of the most common scams targeting dog lovers is the shipping and delivery scam. In this scam,
the scammer will promise to ship a Yorkie puppy to the victim's home but will then ask for additional money to cover shipping costs. The victim will send the money, but never receive the puppy. This type of scam is especially heartless because it takes advantage of people's love for animals.
#5: Buy my female Yorkie puppy’s scam
There's a new scam going around social media in which fake pages will be created to sell puppies within large cities to those who want to buy a Yorkie puppy. Here's how it works: someone will post an ad online offering female Yorkie puppies for sale. They'll often use fake photos from real breeders’ websites and include a phone number. When you call, they'll say the puppies are in another location and ask you to wire money for shipping. But once you do, you'll never hear from them again. This scam is especially dangerous because it preys on people that want to breed their Yorkie in the future.
#6: Puppy Miscarriage scam
One of the most common scams targeting dog lovers is the puppy miscarriage scam. In this scam, the scammers will claim to be breeders’ puppies have all sold but offer a puppy from another Dam with a litter of pups on (date). They will send a puppy contract with the first pick of the litter and a holding deposit to be paid upon the completion of contract signing. The contract will have a condition that if the buyer understands that breeder is not obligated to return the holding deposit for pregnancy complications. Then the scammer advises the pregnant dog miscarried the litter. The scammer then offers a substitute puppy from a similar litter for a small fee for an extra opportunity to take more money. This scam is very dangerous, because it seems very real and often the scammer will try to create fake accounts to interact buyer's and provide contract's that are like the real breeder business. Keep yourself safe and check the buyer’s website and reach out to the business contact to authenticate your communications.