Additional Information for Lovely Basenji Puppies

BBB conducted an investigation based on recent consumer complaints and or BBB Scam Tracker Reports on website received since November 2020. Consumers alleged not receiving the promised puppy that was paid for and the business did not issue refunds.

This BBB business profile includes all similar business names, address, phone number and websites that came to BBB's attention.

Since November 2020, BBB started to receive complaints concerning sales practice issues. Specifically, the business will require payment upfront for the puppy to be wired but then request additional payment to be wired just before shipping. Consumers have not received the promised puppy despite paying, and found that no refunds are issued.

BBB conducted an investigation and reviewed the following websites below that have been brought to our attention:

- https://lovelybasenjipuppies.com, was created on November 2nd 2020.

BBB reviewed the pictures of the puppies listed on the website. BBB was not able to verify if the business actually owns the pictures of the puppies listed on their website or if the pictures were stolen from another website.

Karen's Basenji Puppies shares the same phone number as this company. A separate BBB Profile can be found at:

https://www.bbb.org/us/fl/cape-coral/profile/dog-breeders/karens-basenji-puppies-0653-90388930

This website(s) is operating a Puppy Scam

If you are looking for a pet to add to your family, be on the lookout for scams. As more consumers turn to the internet to find new pets, more scams are popping up online. Experts say a shocking 80% of sponsored advertisements about pets may be fake.
For More information about Puppy Scams and how to Avoid them please visit: bbb.org/puppyscam

Tips for avoiding puppy scams:
Don't buy a pet without seeing it in person or at a minimum consider a video call with the seller so you can see the seller and the actual pet for sale.

Do an internet search of the picture of the pet you are considering. If the same picture appears on multiple websites, you may be dealing with a fraud. You also can search for text from ads or testimonials to see if the seller copied it from another site.

Never pay a stranger with a money order or through Western Union or Moneygram or using a mobile payment app like Zelle or CashApp or a Gift Card. These payment methods offer no recourse and no way to get your money back if you are the victim of a scam.

Always use a credit card in case you need to dispute the charges. Fraudsters may claim to accept credit cards, but may steal your credit card information to use it in other scams or inform you that payment didn't go through and request the payment via alternative methods like mentioned above.

Research prices for the breed you are interested in adopting. If someone is advertising a purebred dog for free or at a deeply discounted price, and then other payment is required for services like vaccination or shipping you could be dealing with a fraudulent offer.

Consider reaching out to a local animal shelter. Many shelters are looking for fosters to help relieve the animal's stress and reduce overcrowding at their facilities. Humane Society of the United States refers consumers to local shelters.


What if you have been a victim of a puppy scam?
File a report with BBB's Scam Tracker at www.bbb.org/scamtracker
Report Website to Petscams.com
Report to your credit card issuer - if you provided your credit card number, even if the transaction was not completed.
Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov or Call 1-877-FTC-HELP
Homeland Security Investigations at the Department of Homeland Security also handles international fraud. Call 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) (from U.S. and Canada)
In Canada, report to the Canadian Antifraud Centre at https://www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca/report-signalez-eng.htm or Call 1-888-495-8501
If you sent money through Western Union, MoneyGram, Green Dot MoneyPak or a mobile payment app (i.e. Zelle or CashApp) contact those companies directly for information about the transactions. They also download their complaints into the FTC's Consumer Sentinel database, which police around the country can access.
Green Dot 800-795-7597
Western Union 1-800-448-1492
MoneyGram 1-800-926-9400
Zelle 1-844-428-8542 or visit: https://www.zellepay.com/support/scam or https://www.zellepay.com/pay-it-safe/understanding-fraud-and-scams for more information.
CashApp 1-855-351-2275 or visit: https://cash.app/help/us/en-us/6482-recognize-scams