Puppy and pet scams before Christmas: how to spot a fake seller and get your money back

What's happened

The weeks before Christmas are a busy time for people looking for a new puppy or kitten, and fraudsters know it. Santander's latest Scamtracker found its customers lost £158,557 to pet and animal scams between January and March 2026, up from £29,735 in the last three months of 2025. That's a rise of about 400%, and it made pets the second-biggest type of purchase scam after cars and other vehicles.

Santander says most of the fake adverts it sees are on social media, and the animals involved range from popular dog breeds to parrots, reptiles and horses. Lloyds Bank found that more than half of the pet scams reported by its customers started on Facebook or Instagram, with victims losing £307 on average.

The typical scam is simple. A seller posts stolen photos of an animal that doesn't exist, takes a deposit, then keeps asking for more money for delivery, vet bills or vaccinations. Chris Ainsley, head of fraud risk management at Santander, says: "Always research the seller carefully and choose reputable sources."

The warning signs

• You can't visit. The seller says the puppy is with a relative, abroad or too far away, and offers to deliver it instead. Santander says resistance to an in-person visit is a warning sign in itself.
• Payment before you've seen the animal. Requests for a deposit, then courier fees, vet bills, vaccinations, insurance or travel paperwork.
• A bank transfer, money transfer service or gift cards. All are hard to get back.
• Lots of breeds, always available. Genuine breeders usually have a waiting list. A seller offering several breeds at once is a red flag.
• Vaccinations that are too early. Santander warns about sellers who say puppies were vaccinated earlier than the usual six to eight weeks.
• A cheap price for a sought-after breed. If it's well below what other breeders ask, ask yourself why.
• The same phone number in lots of adverts. The government suggests searching the seller's number online to check.

What it could cost: a worked example

This is an illustration, not a real case. Priya finds a cockapoo puppy on Instagram priced at £650. The seller says the puppy is with family in Scotland and can be delivered for Christmas. Priya pays a £200 deposit by bank transfer, then £280 for a courier, then £150 for "vaccinations and insurance" when the courier says the puppy can't travel without them. That's £630 gone, and the puppy never arrives.

Because she paid by bank transfer after 7 October 2024, Priya can claim a refund from her bank under the reimbursement rules. Banks usually have to repay this kind of fraud within five working days, but can keep an excess of up to £100. So she could expect at least £530 back if her claim is accepted. The excess doesn't apply to vulnerable customers.

How to check a seller is genuine

1. See the animal with its mother, where it was born, before you pay anything. Visiting more than once is even better.
2. Reverse image search the photos. If the same pictures turn up in other adverts, walk away.
3. Ask for the microchip details. All dogs in the UK must be microchipped and registered by 8 weeks old, and cats in England by 20 weeks. Ask for proof, such as a microchip certificate or vet records.
4. Check the age. Government guidance says puppies and kittens should never be sold under 8 weeks old.
5. Know who can sell. Since 6 April 2020, Lucy's Law has banned pet shops and dealers in England from selling puppies and kittens they haven't bred themselves. Licensed breeders have a licence number you can check with their local council.
6. Consider a rescue centre. They'll usually let you meet the animal more than once before you take it home.

What to do if you've been caught

1. Call your bank straight away on the number on the back of your card, or call 159 to reach your bank's fraud team. You have 13 months to claim a refund, but act quickly.
2. Stop paying. However convincing the next excuse is, more money won't produce the animal.
3. Report it to Report Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or online. In Scotland, call Police Scotland on 101.
4. Forward scam messages. Send suspicious texts to 7726 for free, and forward suspicious emails to [email protected].
5. Report the advert and profile to the site or app where you found it, so it can be taken down.

Your questions answered

Is it safe to pay a deposit?

Only once you've seen the animal in person with its mother. Santander advises against paying large deposits or vet costs in advance.

The seller offered a video call. Is that enough?

It's better than nothing, but a video can be staged or reused. Seeing the animal in person is the only way to be sure it exists and is the one you're paying for.

Will my bank refund me?

If you paid by bank transfer, your bank should normally refund you, minus any excess of up to £100, unless it can show you were grossly negligent. If you paid by card, ask about a chargeback, or a section 75 claim if you paid more than £100 on a credit card.

What if the puppy turns up but is ill?

That's a different problem from a scam, but it can be costly. More than half of vets surveyed for the government in 2020 said illnesses linked to poor breeding conditions could cost over £1,500 to treat in the first year. Contact Citizens Advice for help with your rights against the seller.

Sources: Santander, Lloyds Bank, GOV.UK: microchipping, GOV.UK: Lucy's Law, Payment Systems Regulator