Consumer Alert
Looking to buy an exotic pet? Scammers are hoping to hear from you
Social media can connect us to friends and family across the country — but it can also connect us to scammers. Impersonators on TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook are pretending to sell exotic animals to try and get people’s money. Here’s how to spot and avoid these scammers.
Imagine you’re scrolling through your feed and see a cute animal, like an exotic bird. You’re interested and look at the seller’s profile, which turns out to be the business page of what looks like an exotic bird business. The profile directs you to message them if you’re interested, so you do.
Soon they say you can only pay with a payment app, cryptocurrency, wire transfer, or gift card. Once you pay, you get an update that your bird is in transit…but there’s a problem and they need more money. You’re eager to meet your new companion, so you pay that, too.
This can go on for several days. But once you start asking questions and stop sending money, the seller disappears. Why? Because it was all a scam.
So how do you avoid scams like this?
- Insist on paying with a credit card. Credit cards offer the most protection if a seller turns out to be a fraud. If an online seller says you can only pay with gift cards, wire transfers, payment apps (like Apple Pay, CashApp, PayPal, or Zelle), or cryptocurrency, walk away. That’s a scam.
- Do a reverse image search. Check to see if you can find the animal’s photo anywhere else — like on another seller’s website. If so, it might be a scam.
- Check prices elsewhere. How much is that kind of pet usually sold for? If you find someone selling for much cheaper, it might be a red flag that it’s a scam.
Spot a scam like this? Report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
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Received an email notification "Paypal Invoice". It lists a helpline (805) 319-4904.
They call it an "Unauthorized Transaction" payment for $779.99 & indicate we should call them a the number listed to cancel.
Is this fraud? We don't have a Paypal account. I can send you a copy of the letter.
Glad you are here. I have been scammed by someone representing themselves as U.S.MILITARY. I did reverse on profile picture and sure enough he is scammer
The more important issue is that, even if the seller delivers on the sale, people should never participate in the trafficking of wild/exotic animals by purchasing one. The capturing & trading animals from the wild usually involves deforestation, risk of zoonotic diseases, and of course trauma to the captured creature. If the animal was bred in some type of animal mill, the latter 2 issues still apply. Animals belong in their natural habitat, not in cages or glass containers.
In reply to The more important issue is… by anon
ON THE CONTRARY, MOST STATES demand you cannot sell or buy animals from the wild and they must be rehabilitated by a license facility then released ONLY back in the wild preferably the area where they came from. All animals are from breeders who are several generations in and gentler pet. Although there are scammers, I've found ten different scammers attached to a "Brian mink", they do not and will not give you their usda number or show copy of permit which is easily looked up on the internet or given to worried customers by wildlife department of that state. Only 5 states continue to allow class III animals by capture in the wild.
They aren’t going to “try and get people’s money” (we hope), they’re going to try TO get people’s money.
Let the exotics be by not supporting this cruel trade. Wonderful domestic pets who crave human companionship die due to lack of loving homes