Did you know that scams are increasingly common in the pet transport world?
We have all had a scam phone call, or an e-mail from royal prince looking for financial aid. In today’s digital world, it is increasingly easy for scammers to contact you, and to look like the real deal. It is impossible to stop all of the pet shipping scams, but you can absolutely avoid them when selecting a transport company. Here are the things to watch for, and the red flags to avoid when selecting a pet shipper.
Double Check USDA Numbers
One of the fastest ways to make sure that you have found a legitimate company is to double check their USDA registration number. You can go onto the USDA website and search for your transporter’s business name or USDA number, and verify that they are who they say they are. Unfortunately some scammers give out false numbers, or use someone else’s number. By verifying their information on the USDA site, you can make sure that you are not dealing with someone who is trying to manipulate you with fake information.
Acting Professional
When you start communicating with a transporter you are looking to hire, you should notice pretty quick if they act in a professional manner. Your transporter should require more from you than just a payment. They should let you know that you need required vaccinations and a valid health certificate for transport. They should tell you their policies, how your pet will be transported, and they should verify ID on pick up and drop off. A reputable transporter will get your contact information, an emergency contact’s information, details about your pet, their breed and age, their size, and their feeding routine. You will also likely sign a contract verifying expectations for both parties. If you contact someone and they just say, “Yep, pay your deposit and your pet is booked”, you are likely not dealing with someone legitimate.
Online Presence of a Real Person
When you look at the social media or website of a transporter, it should be evident if they are a real person, or someone trying to pull a scam. You should see clear evidence of successful transports, pets should look clean, vehicles should look clean, and the transporter in the photos should match the person you have been talking to. Reviews should be from people who have legitimate accounts with a history of being active, and not from a bunch of accounts that were started on the same day (fake accounts to farm fake reviews). Everything should look consistent between the shipper’s social media, website, and any profiles on sites such as UShip or CitizenShipper.
Preferred Form of Payment
Western Union, MoneyGram, and similar services should NOT be used to pay a pet shipper or transporter. These are non-refundable, and you will receive no support if a scammer takes off with your money. Credit cards and PayPal give some protection to both you and the shipper, and give you some recourse if the shipper does not follow through with providing service.
There are many established, verified businesses out there who can provide you with excellent customer service and great pet care. Checking out a few things can help you ensure that you are working with a legitimate company, and avoiding the scammers out there.