BBB Warning Michiganders About Online Animal Sales
The Better Business Bureau is warning Michigan residents about a website that claims to specialize in the sale of monkeys and birds.
According to a news release, the website monkeysnadbirdsforsale claims to sell small monkeys for between $1,200 and $1,500 and parrots for $1,000. The Better Business Bureau, however, believes the site has been set up in order to scam people.
The bureau reports that a number of complaints about the site have been reported over the last month. One reviewer reports attempting to pay for an animal using Paypal and Venmo but when those methods failed, he was asked to buy gift cards instead. That's a big red flag.
Phil Catlett, the president of the Better Business Bureau Serving Western Michigan tells Fox 17 that pet scammers aren't just focused on puppies.
“Each year pet scams are among the riskiest scams we see at the BBB,” Catlett said. “Most people think of puppy scams. But they work for all types of animals: dogs, cats, even monkeys and birds.”
Catlett goes on to say that the website lists a physical address in Hickory Corners, a small community north of Battle Creek. The property owner tells the Better Business Bureau that he has no connection to the online seller.
“It is not uncommon for bad actors to list a fake address in an effort to make themselves appear legitimate,” Catlett said. “A physical address can give a customer a sense of security.”
Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.