00:00How much is that puppy in the window?
00:02First, make sure it even exists.
00:04A new report reveals the shocking number of people falling to online puppy scams,
00:09particularly on Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist.
00:12The Better Business Bureau says it's received thousands of reports of puppy scams in the last year,
00:17totaling more than $1 million in losses.
00:20Warning, about 80% of sponsored pet ads online could be fake.
00:24In the news, recently one woman was scammed out of $5,000 in gift cards
00:29when trying to buy her grandson a Yorkshire Terrier via Facebook Marketplace.
00:34And in Illinois, one man faces up to 80 years in prison for 16 different charges related to online puppy scams.
00:41The FTC recommends rather than risky sites like Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace,
00:45stick to local animal shelters.
00:47And if looking online, reverse image search the photo of the animal to make sure it's not a stock image.
00:53Conduct in-person visits and never accept payments through gift cards.
00:57Be cautious of money transfers and paying through an app like Venmo.
01:00Remember, a legitimate breeder will always want an in-person meeting or video chat
01:05so you can meet the newest member of your family.
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