Protection From Scams and Fraud

While most individuals who use our free adoption or want ads have success with buying, selling or adoption and our volunteer foster care network, from time to time we have receive reports of people attempting to scam or defraud our users. We have found that one of the best ways to address this problem is to require and insist that all transactions take place locally and in-person.

Please take the following precautions while using our services :

When buying or selling, you should meet in-person to see the for or puppy and exchange funds. We strongly recommend that any transactions are local transactions.

NEVER send or wire money to sellers or buyers. This includes mailing a check or using payment services like Bidpay, Western Union or Money Gram to pay for items found any where on this site. If a buyer sends an "overpayment" and asks that you send the difference back to them via a check/money order, it is a scam.

Do not give out personal or banking information (e.g. social insurance number, bank account number) over the Internet to anyone.

Inform Happy Trail Chihuahuas of any attempted fraud or suspicious emails, Ads, or other activity by ad posters or ad responders. Keep copies of all correspondences and emailsIn case of fraud, file a police report and contact us.

Use common sense. If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Who should I notify about fraud?

FTC toll free hotline: 877-FTC-HELP (877-382-4357)

Other resources to help protect yourself online:

FTC, Identity Theft Online Complaint
Better Business Bureau
Internet Fraud Complaint Center