Breeder 'One More Fee' Crate/Insurance Escalation
After a pet purchase, a fake shipper invents a series of 'one last' fees — crate, insurance, vaccination, customs — each blocking delivery until you pay.
Think a message like this reached you? You can check it right now.
What this scam is
This is the escalation engine behind pet-shipping scams: once you've bought a (nonexistent) pet, a fake 'pet transport company' contacts you with a sequence of urgent, 'refundable' fees that must be paid before the animal can travel — a special crate, insurance, vaccinations, a customs charge, a 'temperature-controlled' surcharge. Each payment is followed by another obstacle. The refunds never come and no pet arrives. Recognizing the escalating-fee pattern is the key defense.
What it usually looks like
- A 'pet shipping company' demanding fees after your purchase.
- A series of 'one last' crate/insurance/vaccine/customs fees.
- Promises that fees are refundable on arrival.
- Urgency that the pet is 'waiting' or 'at risk.'
Common warning signs
- Escalating, ever-new fees before delivery.
- 'Refundable' fees by gift card/wire/app.
- Emotional pressure about the animal's welfare.
- A shipper you can't independently verify.
Example wording scammers use
“The airline now requires insurance ($450, refundable) before your puppy can fly — send it today.”
“Customs is holding your pet; one more fee and she's released.”
These are illustrative examples written by ScamSplain, not real messages.
What the scammers want
- A cascade of 'refundable' fees.
- To exploit your worry for the pet.
- Untraceable payments.
What to do
- Recognize escalating shipping fees as a scam and stop paying.
- Never pay 'refundable' pet-transport fees by gift card/wire/app.
- Verify any shipper independently (most are fake).
- Only buy pets you've seen in person or on live video.
What to do if you already responded
- Stop paying; contact your bank/app about transfers.
- Report to the platform, BBB/Petscams.com.
- Report at reportfraud.ftc.gov.