This New England State Among Most Increases Of Puppy Scams Amid Pandemic

A New England state was among the U.S. states where residents were taken advantage of the most commonly by online puppy scammers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Better Business Bureau said New Hampshire, as well as California, Florida and Texas were "sent thousands of dollars to several kennels they believed were located in or near Omaha" last month, WCVB reports.

"Since COVID-19 began, puppy scams have increased dramatically as pets have helped combat the loneliness during the pandemic. Puppy scams have increased five times since 2017, with losses reported in 2020 at $3 million," the BBB wrote.

Linda Albrect, a resident of Omaha, said scammers used her home address on fake kennel websites and she was forced to deliver heartbreaking news to individuals knocking on her door almost every weekend.

"They get here all excited about picking up a puppy and go home without one," Albrect said.

Albrect said she doesn't know how scammers got her address, but has dealt with families from Wisconsin, Minnesota and Missouri who traveled all the way to her home to buy a brand new puppy.

"I mean, you feel terrible," Albrect said. "When you tell them, you see their face drop."

The Better Business Bureau reported an individual from Texas purchased an Akita from one of the fake Nebraska kennels and paid more than $6,000 in fake shipping charges, as well as a "refundable deposit" priced at $5,200 to deliver the puppy safely.

The BBB also said a website called hometownbulldogworld.com was reported to have listed an address located in the Northern Hills neighborhood of Omaha, which they visited and found none of the 11 puppies listed on the website were present.

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