PSA : The holiday puppy scam and what you need to know

About this episode

PSA: The Holiday Puppy Scam and What You Need to Know | This With Krish

Every holiday season, millions of families go searching for the perfect Christmas puppy—and every year, scammers ramp up their efforts to take advantage of high emotions, limited time, and the excitement of bringing home a new furry family member. In this episode, I share the real story of how my family almost fell victim to a holiday puppy scam while searching for a second dog to join our Golden Doodle, Stetson.

What looked like a legitimate breeder website—complete with photos, reviews, and pages of puppy information—quickly unraveled into a full-blown scam once a few red flags appeared. This episode breaks down: • The most common holiday puppy scams

• Real examples from BBB, FTC, and consumer reports

• How scammers use urgency, AI-generated photos, fake shipping companies, and emotional manipulation

• Red flags to watch out for before sending a deposit

• Safe ways to verify a breeder or adoption listing

• What to do if you think you're being targeted

Whether you’re a parent hoping to surprise your kids this Christmas or a dog lover considering adoption, this episode will help you protect yourself from financial loss—and heartbreak. Stay sharp. Stay safe. And hug your dog tonight.

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