PRESCOTT VALLEY, Ariz. — A new scam has made its way to an Arizona community.
But it's not your usual scam — this one involves puppies.
The Prescott Valley Police Department said the puppy scam usually goes like this: an unknown person selling puppy breeds — breeds which would typically sell for a much higher price — for a "ridiculously low price." The seller is out of the area, meaning the buyer cannot pick up the dog locally, police said.
When the money for the puppy is exchanged and a shipping date for the puppy is established, the seller calls the buyer asking for more money, calling it a "shipping fee," police said.
If the buyer refuses, the seller threatens to report the buyer for animal abandonment. Buyers are often out hundreds, if not thousands of dollars, police said.
"PVPD cautions residents that if a deal seems too good to be true, it is probably a scam. It is a best practice to research a seller or the photo of the pup for sale before sending any money," the Prescott Valley Police Department said in a news release. "Often, the same photo of the puppy being purchased can be found across multiple websites for different sellers."
If you or someone you know has seen a scam like this, or you have any questions, you can reach the PVPD Community Services can be reached Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 928-772-9261.
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