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• Additional Info:

  BBB conducted an investigation based on consumer complaints and BBB Scam Tracker Reports on several websites received since March 2020. Consumers alleged not receiving the promised puppy that was paid for and the business did not issue refunds.
  
  This BBB business profile includes all similar business names, address, phone number and websites that came to BBB's attention.
  
  Since March 2020, BBB started to receive complaints concerning sales practice issues. Specifically, the business will require payment upfront for the puppy to be wired but then request additional payment to be wired just before shipping. Per consumer complaints, these funds were to claimed to be insurance to deliver the puppy using a party shipping company. Consumers have not received the promised puppy despite paying, and found that no refunds are issued.
  
  BBB conducted an investigation and reviewed the following websites below that have been brought to our attention.
  
  As of November 2020:
  - www.minidachshundfamily.com was created on February 21st, 2020, but has been inactive recently.
  - www.gatewayminidachshundpuppies.com was created on April 28th, 2020, but has been inactive recently.
  - www.happyhomeminidachshund.com was created on May 19, 2020.
  - Puppy names Deone, Ken, and Gigi were used for all websites so far.
  - BBB investigated the puppy images displayed on the business website (Deone, Ken, GiGi) do not belong to the business.
  - The picture of Ken was found on various recent articles on puppy scams stating they have reports from consumers dealing with Global Pet Express, Furever Home Mini Dachshund, and Awesome Mini Dachshunds; per the news articles, both puppy websites were listed on Petscams.com and now both websites have been suspended.
  - The picture of GiGi is a picture from 2016 that has been circulating on social media.
  - Picture of "Ken" was also used for another company with a puppy named "Ken". A separate BBB profile can be found at:
  https://www.bbb.org/us/fl/fort-myers/profile/dog-breeders/life-companion-mini-dachshund-0653-90380698
  - www.minidachshundisland.com, was created on October 19, 2020 and is registered in Panama.
  BBB reviewed the pictures of the puppies listed on website. BBB was not able to verify if the business actually owns the pictures of the puppies listed on their website or if the pictures were stolen from another website. BBB was able to verify that:
  - Picture of "Deone" can also be found on Westernminidachshunds.com which is no longer active.
  Also on www.lifecompanionminidachshund.com/available-puppies.html which was created on 06-12-2020 and they are located in Nassau.
  - Picture of "Ken" can also be found on www.vippuppies.com/breeders/chowm237 which picture is no longer active.
  Picture of "Gigi" can also be found on www.lifecompanionminidachshund.com/available-puppies.html which was created on 06-12-2020 and they are located in Nassau and www.westernminidachshund.com which states Your connection is not private Attackers might be trying to steal your information.
  
  As of November 2020 several of the websites are inactive, however BBB found that some pictures on the various websites contained in this profile are currently being used by other various business names listed under a separate BBB profile. This BBB profile can be found at: https://www.bbb.org/us/fl/fort-myers/profile/dog-breeders/family-of-basset-hound-0653-90384716 This website(s) is operating a Puppy Scam
  If you are looking for a pet to add to your family, be on the lookout for scams. As more consumers turn to the internet to find new pets, more scams are popping up online. Experts say a shocking 80% of sponsored advertisements about pets may be fake.
  For More information about Puppy Scams and how to Avoid them please visit: bbb.org/puppyscam
  Tips for avoiding puppy scams:
  Don't buy a pet without seeing it in person or at a minimum consider a video call with the seller so you can see the seller and the actual pet for sale.
  Do an internet search of the picture of the pet you are considering. If the same picture appears on multiple websites, you may be dealing with a fraud. You also can search for text from ads or testimonials to see if the seller copied it from another site.
  Never pay a stranger with a money order or through Western Union or Moneygram or using a mobile payment app like Zelle or CashApp or a Gift Card. These payment methods offer no recourse and no way to get your money back if you are the victim of a scam.
  Always use a credit card in case you need to dispute the charges. Fraudsters may claim to accept credit cards, but may steal your credit card information to use it in other scams or inform you that payment didn't go through and request the payment via alternative methods like mentioned above.
  Research prices for the breed you are interested in adopting. If someone is advertising a purebred dog for free or at a deeply discounted price, and then other payment is required for services like vaccination or shipping you could be dealing with a fraudulent offer.
  Consider reaching out to a local animal shelter. Many shelters are looking for fosters to help relieve the animal's stress and reduce overcrowding at their facilities. Humane Society of the United States refers consumers to local shelters.
  
  What if you have been a victim of a puppy scam?
  File a report with BBB's Scam Tracker
  Report Website to Petscams.com
  Report to your credit card issuer - if you provided your credit card number, even if the transaction was not completed.
  Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov or Call 1-877-FTC-HELP
  Homeland Security Investigations at the Department of Homeland Security also handles international fraud. Call 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) (from U.S. and Canada)
  In Canada, report to the Canadian Antifraud Centre at https://www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca/report-signalez-eng.htm or Call 1-888-495-8501
  If you sent money through Western Union, MoneyGram, Green Dot MoneyPak or a mobile payment app (i.e. Zelle or CashApp) contact those companies directly for information about the transactions. They also download their complaints into the FTC's Consumer Sentinel database, which police around the country can access.
  Green Dot 800-795-7597
  Western Union 1-800-448-1492
  MoneyGram 1-800-926-9400
  Zelle 1-844-428-8542 or visit: https://www.zellepay.com/support/scam or https://www.zellepay.com/pay-it-safe/understanding-fraud-and-scams for more information.
  CashApp 1-855-351-2275 or visit: https://cash.app/help/us/en-us/6482-recognize-scams