Free tool
Is this puppy or kitten a scam?
Answer these about the seller before you pay anything. It takes a minute and nothing is saved.
1. Can you visit in person before you pay anything?
2. Will you see it with its mum, in the home where it was born?
3. Is the seller asking for a deposit or payment by bank transfer before you've seen it?
4. Have they asked for extra money for delivery, insurance, a travel crate or paperwork?
5. Will it be at least 8 weeks old when you take it home?
6. Are you being rushed, or told lots of other people want it?
7. Is the price much lower than usual for the breed?
8. Does the seller have lots of litters of different breeds, or the same phone number on many adverts?
9. Will it come with vet records: vaccinations, worming, flea treatment and microchip?
10. For a puppy: is it already microchipped and registered to the seller?
11. If they breed or sell regularly, do they show a council licence number?
12. Are they offering to deliver it, or meet you somewhere like a car park, instead of at home?
Before you pay
- Pay by card if you can. Card payments can often be claimed back if something goes wrong; bank transfers usually can't.
- Check the microchip number on the seller's paperwork with our free microchip checker.
- Visit more than once if you can, and never feel you have to decide on the spot.
Already paid and think it's a scam?
- Ring your bank straight away: they may be able to stop the payment or get it back.
- Report it to Report Fraud (it replaced Action Fraud) on 0300 123 2040. In Scotland, ring Police Scotland on 101.
- Worried about an animal's welfare, or a seller you think is breaking the law? Tell your council's Trading Standards.
General guidance from UK government and police advice, checked 3 November 2026: