Online marketplaces make it easier than ever to connect with pet sellers and transporters. At CitizenShipper, we actively work to keep our platform safe and reliable, but staying informed is one of the best ways to protect yourself. By following a few simple safety tips, you can help ensure a smooth, secure experience when buying or transporting a pet.
Watch out for fake pet listings
One of the most common scams involves pets that don’t exist. Scammers often advertise puppies or purebred pets at unrealistically low prices, using stolen photos and fabricated stories (such as sudden illness or relocation). Once a deposit is sent, the seller disappears.
Red flags include: prices far below market value, refusal to share live video or arrange an in-person meeting, or claims that the pet is in another state or country without proof.
Be cautious of pressure tactics or emotional manipulation
Scammers frequently create a false sense of urgency: “today only,” “last chance,” or “I’m passing through tomorrow.” This pressure is meant to prevent you from asking questions or noticing warning signs.
Scammers also may rely on emotional pressure, especially when pets are involved, such as holiday urgency (“perfect Christmas puppy”), heartbreaking personal stories, or fear of missing out. If emotions are being used to push quick decisions or payments, pause and reassess.
Legitimate sellers and transporters will give you time to review details and make informed decisions. While fuel or lodging payments may be legitimate requests in some cases, they should always be discussed upfront.
Understand how CitizenShipper works
If a seller says they have a deal in place with CitizenShipper to deliver your new pet, don’t take their word for it. On our site, shipping customers create a shipment listing to gather quotes from transporters. The customer then chooses a driver and pays them directly for transporting the pet.
Be wary of anyone claiming they must handle customs, permits, health clearance, or paperwork on CitizenShipper’s behalf. These “intermediary” or fake transport entities are a common form of fraud.
If you have a transporter, breeder/seller, or friend/family member using CitizenShipper, our support team can help verify their account or associated contract.
Keep communication on CitizenShipper
Avoid taking conversations or payments off the platform. When communication happens outside CitizenShipper, we can’t monitor activity, assist with disputes, or help protect you if something goes wrong.
Use secure, disputable payment methods
Scammers typically avoid credit cards and PayPal because those payments can be disputed, meaning the bank can reverse the transfer and restore your funds. Instead, they often request irreversible transfers like Western Union or MoneyGram.
Never send money unless you’ve verified that the transporter is legitimate and the request makes sense.
Verify contact details and documents
Do a quick online search of names, phone numbers, or email addresses. Scammers often reuse contact information that may already be flagged online, or the results might point you to a blacklist.
Be cautious of emails using public domains (such as @gmail.com, @usa.com, etc.) while claiming to represent CitizenShipper. All CitizenShipper correspondence goes through our own domain, and official CitizenShipper emails will always come from @citizenshipper.com, @citizenshipper.email, or @citizenshipper.tips.
Some scammers also send forged IDs, licenses, insurance certificates, or contracts. Look for spelling errors, mismatched logos, or unverifiable organizations. If you’re unsure, our team is happy to review what you’ve received.
Watch for last-minute or unexpected fees
Requests for additional payments after an agreement is in place are a common scam tactic. These are often framed as urgent or mandatory. Examples include:
- Insurance or coverage upgrades
- Health certificates or microchip documentation
- Special crates
- Fuel surcharges or breakdown fees
- Permits, customs, or border charges
- “Refundable” deposits
Legitimate transporters typically disclose costs upfront. Sudden payment requests should be treated with caution, and certificates should be verified with the issuing authority.
Beware of fake shipping or airline companies
Some scammers impersonate transport companies using realistic logos, email addresses, and fake tracking systems. After the initial contact, they send follow-up emails, asking for extra payments for things like required airline documentation, additional certifications or approvals, high-cost export crates, or “updates” from the fake carrier requiring immediate payment. These can be extremely convincing and may even include fake tracking systems.
Avoid fake insurance offers
No one is authorized to sell insurance on CitizenShipper’s behalf. The only coverage we offer is the Pet Protection Plan, available at checkout.
Be wary of fake insurance certificates or organizations with names similar to legitimate groups (such as confusing IATA with IPATA). Requests for “mandatory” or “refundable” insurance fees are also a strong warning sign.
Be aware of recovery scams
If you’ve already been scammed, be cautious of anyone claiming they can recover your money for a fee. These are often follow-up scams targeting previous victims.
Need help or more information?
For the most up-to-date information on pet scams, you can also review IPATA’s list of current pet scams.
If you suspect fraudulent activity, contact us at support@citizenshipper.com. Our team will review the situation and guide you on next steps.
What to read next
For more info on staying safe while using CitizenShipper, see the Security section of our Help Center, specifically this article on safely communicating with drivers.
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