Chattanooga Couple Misled by Holiday Puppy Scam

Chattanooga Couple Falls Victim to Heartbreaking Puppy Scam

As the holiday season approaches, many families are eagerly preparing to welcome new furry friends into their homes. However, for one couple in Chattanooga, Tennessee, the joy of finding a new puppy turned into a distressing tale of deception.

Dreaming of a New Companion

Janice Luvera and Bill Williams were looking to fill the void left by their beloved Boston terrier, TC, who recently passed away. This year, the couple decided that a new puppy would be the perfect Christmas gift for themselves and a way to bring joy back into their lives. So, they joined several Facebook groups dedicated to rehoming Boston terriers, hoping to find a little bundle of joy.

Red Flags Ignored

The couple’s search led them to a seller who claimed to be a trustworthy admin in one of the groups. Feeling optimistic, they decided to put down a $200 deposit to secure their newest family member. However, as Bill later reflected, “We tried to PayPal him, and this should have been my first red flag, because it wouldn’t go through.” Instead of a secure payment method, the seller awkwardly requested that they send the deposit through an Apple gift card. This was the first sign that their dream had begun to unravel.

Unexpected Costs and Threats

Just as the couple thought they were about to meet their new puppy, a shocking message arrived. The seller claimed they would need to pay an additional $600 for a crate rental fee. He assured the couple that this would be reimbursed upon delivery, a statement that did little to ease their growing unease. When Janice and Bill refused to pay yet another whopping $1,000 for a certificate of insurance, they were met with an onslaught of threatening messages from the seller. Bill recounted, “The two different ones were attacking me in two different ways, just saying, you know what’s going on? The puppy’s being held up.” It was a harsh awakening to the reality of their situation.

Scams on the Rise

Unfortunately, the Luvera-Williams couple isn’t alone. Gidget Knight, Vice President of the Better Business Bureau, revealed that this type of scam is alarmingly common, especially during the holiday season. The pressure to find the perfect puppy can cloud judgment, leading many to fall victim to fraud. According to estimates, a staggering 80 percent of online pet advertisements may be fake. This statistic should serve as a cautionary tale for anyone considering purchasing a pet online.

Protecting Yourself

Janice has wise advice for others navigating the murky waters of online pet adoption: “Do your due diligence and trust your gut.” It’s crucial for prospective pet owners to do their research, ask questions, and be wary of deals that sound too good to be true.

Reporting Scams

If you suspect that you or someone you know has been scammed, there’s help. The Better Business Bureau encourages individuals to report possible scams to petscams.com. This website is dedicated to investigating fraudulent pet sales and potentially shutting down dishonest sellers, protecting others from facing the same heartbreak.

A Cautionary Tale

The sad saga of Janice and Bill is a stark reminder that while the desire for a new pet can be filled with excitement, caution and vigilance are key to ensuring a safe and happy adoption process. As the holiday season continues, let’s strive to keep the joyous spirit alive without falling prey to deceit.