Recognizing and Avoiding Pet Travel Scams

Pet travel scams involve scammers posing as pet shippers and demanding payment for fake transportation or insurance fees. These scams often involve too-good-to-be-true costs, but they can be tricky to spot. 

Recognizing these kinds of scams is important to avoid not only financial loss, but also emotional distress during a big move or relocation. This guide will help you identify red flags and verify the legitimacy of pet transport companies before spending money or sending personal information. 

Common Tactics and Red Flags

We’ve seen it all out there. Here’s a list of common scam tactics and red flags you may encounter as you start researching pet transport services:

• The cost seems too good to be true. Scammers often lure people in with very low-cost pet shipping. They may even offer free services. Legitimate pet shippers aren’t out there trying to overcharge you, but they also won’t bait you with unrealistically low prices.
• They make promises they can’t keep. They may tell you they’ve come up with a way for you to travel with a pet that hasn’t been eligible for travel before. Some scammers say they know loopholes in airline policies and dog breed bans. 
• You feel pressure for immediate payment. Fraudulent shippers often create a false sense of urgency, claiming the pet must be shipped immediately with payment ASAP. They may even set an end date on the “deal” they’re offering you.
• You’re asked to pay using non-traditional methods. If you’re asked to pay via wire transfer, gift cards, cryptocurrency, or some other untraceable method, that’s a red flag. These payments are difficult to recover, making it harder for victims to get refunds.
• Their website is bad. While scammers will try to create websites that mimic legitimate pet shipping companies, you may notice things feel off. These sites may have outdated or stolen content, or not look as professional as they should.
• Communication with them sounds off. Scammers frequently use email domains like Gmail or Yahoo to communicate with potential victims. Emails may be filled with spelling errors, grammatical mistakes, or odd phrasing. They’ll generally avoid video calls. 
• There is a lack of transparency. Scammers avoid giving clear details like company registration, physical addresses, or direct phone numbers. They may be vague when asked for additional information and avoid direct answers. 
• They forge documents. Some scammers go so far as to send forged shipping invoices and airline confirmations to keep you on the hook for payments. These documents may contain inconsistencies or formatting errors.
• They claim to work with legitimate organizations. Scammers may say they partner with well-known airlines, other pet transport companies, or animal welfare groups to build trust. That may include the International Pet and Animal Association (IPATA).
• They impersonate legitimate pet shippers. Outside of claiming affiliation with organizations like the IPATA, some scammers go so far as to impersonate trusted pet transport companies. They may use stolen logos or send emails that mimic official ones.
• There are surprise or hidden costs. Scammers frequently introduce new “urgent” fees after initial payments. These can include expenses for special crates, required vaccinations, pet insurance, customs clearance, or quarantine fees well before travel. 
• They play on your emotions. Payment requests are often framed as critical to pet safety. They may say that failure to meet payment deadlines could mean you’re not meeting legal travel requirements or put your pet at risk for emergencies in transport. 

Outside of the pet shipping business, we’ve heard of numerous cases where potential pet owners are scammed by fraudsters claiming to offer animals for adoption or sale. These scams often involve emotionally appealing ads or promises of a particular pedigree. 

Victims are then tricked into sending money for a pet that doesn’t exist and will never arrive. Fortunately, there are ways to recognize a scam from a legitimate service across the board.

How to Avoid Pet Travel Scams

While it’s only becoming more common for pet owners to encounter pet travel scams online, there are ways to avoid them or navigate situations where you’ve already established contact. Here are a few key strategies:

• Do your research. Before committing to a pet shipper and certainly before making any payments, take the time to research that company and any associated organizations. Look for reviews, complaints, or scam alerts online. 
• Check credentials. We’ve already mentioned that scammers link themselves to legitimate groups to establish trust. Use sources like the IPATA and the airlines to verify credentials. At Tailwind, we have real connections with airlines from years of working with them.
• Read EVERYTHING. Reputable pet shippers set clear expectations from start to finish, from an initial quote to payment invoices. Beware of payment or transaction requests beyond the scope of the initial agreement, which can make the scam harder to track.
• Ask questions. Review the organization’s privacy and refund policies. If they don’t have either in writing, that’s a huge red flag. If the answers you’re being given conflict with what you’re reading online about legitimate pet shipping services, it may be a scammer.
• Verify destination requirements. Scammers often invent complicated travel rules to justify extra costs or delays. The good news is, much of that information is in the public domain on government websites like the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
• Verify airline requirements. Contact the airline directly to verify whether the pet is booked and what documentation or fees are truly required. If the information given by the shipper doesn’t align with what you’re told by the airline, you may be dealing with a scam.
• Use secure payment methods. A legitimate pet shipper will want payment using verifiable methods like credit cards that offer buyer protection in cases of fraud. If someone insists on a payment method that can’t be refunded, it’s likely a scam. 
• Request documentation. Scammers may send forged documents of health certifications, airline bookings, and import or export paperwork that look convincing at first glance. A closer look often reveals errors, unverifiable information, or low-quality images.
• Don’t rush. Scammers rely on urgency and emotional manipulation. They may set fake deadlines, hoping you’re more likely to decide to book their services on the spot. Take the time to ask questions and verify any claims they’re making. 
• Plan a video call. Legitimate pet shipping companies won’t try to avoid speaking with you directly, if only to set your mind at ease and explain their processes. Refusal to speak on a video call or even on a regular call is a sign you’re not dealing with a serious pet shipper.
• Trust your gut. Pet shipping can be stressful, especially if you’ve never traveled with your pet. A reliable pet service will help you navigate those feelings with solid communication every step of the way. If you’re feeling the opposite, you may be dealing with a scammer.

What to Do if You’ve Been Scammed

If you think you’ve uncovered a scamming pet shipper or, worse yet, have fallen victim to a scam yourself, there are a few things you can do to minimize the damage. It’s also important to help prevent the same from happening to others. 

First, stop all communication with the scammer as soon as you know what you’re dealing with. Don’t provide more personal information. Certainly, don’t send any more money, no matter what they’re threatening. Be sure to keep any evidence like emails, payment receipts, screenshots, and fake documents for investigators.

Next, report the incident to local law enforcement, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), and the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3). If the scammer claimed to represent a real organization like an airline or a legitimate pet shipper, notify them, too. Scammers referencing the IAPTA should be reported to petscams@ipata.org.

If you’ve sent the scammers money for non-existent services, contact your bank or the payment provider you used to make the transaction. If you paid by credit card, you can file a dispute against fraudulent charges. 

Depending on your credit card benefits, they may even go after the scammer on their side. Payments made via wire transfers, cryptocurrency, or gift cards are much harder to trace, but it’s still essential to alert your financial institutions to monitor for further fraudulent activity. 

Finally, share your experience to help warn others. Post about the scam on relevant websites, or consider sharing on social media or pet travel forums. The more awareness you help create, the less likely others are to fall for similar schemes.

Use a Trusted, Legitimate Pet Shipper 

Choosing a trusted, legitimate pet shipper is the best first step against scammers. A reputable pet shipping company should have a proven track record that’s easily verifiable online, transparent communication, and real-world client reviews of positive experiences.

At Tailwind, we pride ourselves on being more than a pet shipping service. We’re a team of pet experts who understand the unique needs of our clients and traveling pets. The thousands of positive reviews we’ve received over the years are proof of a reputation built on reliability. 

Most importantly, we know how to keep pets safe from the initial booking to the moment they’re reunited with you. Trust the experts, protect your pet, and travel stress-free with Tailwind.

Ready to get started? Each pet relocation situation is different, so to get an idea of the costs involved, fill out a quote request.