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Important information

• Additional Info:

  BBB began investigating Philips Dachshunds on March 1, 2021, based on inquiries from consumers who were shopping for a puppy and visited the website www.rockydachshundshome.com. The consumers contacted the company and were told that they are located in Columbus, GA.
  
  During our investigation, BBB staff noted that the website was just launched on December 11, 2020 and does not list a company location. The company's website claims that they have 11 years of experience breeding and selling miniature dachshunds
  
  One caller stated that they were told to forward a $700 payment for their puppy through gift cards. Another caller reported that he asked if he could fly to Columbus. GA and make arrangements to personally pick up their puppy but was told that the company will only ship puppies.
  
  Neither consumer moved forward based on the red flags they saw. However, BBB noted that several complaints have been reported about this company on the website www.puppyscams.com and those who moved forward with making payment report that they did not receive a puppy and lost their money.
  
  Two of the complaints posted on www.petscams.com indicate the business supplied them with a contract listing an address of 1102 Central Avenue, Columbus, GA, but each was given a different zip code. Neither zip code is assigned to Columbus, GA. BBB has determined that this address does not exist in Columbus, GA.
  
  Complaints on www.petscams.com also indicate that when the consumers were ready to purchase a puppy, the business asked them to make payment of $700 through a cash app. Consumers who made the payment were then contacted by someone else claiming to be with a transport company who said they were working to finalize the puppy's transport, however additional money was needed first.
  
  One consumer reported the transport company calling them said their name is Latex Cargo Logistics. BBB found a website at www.latexcargologistics.com that claims to ship pets and also claims they began business in 2000, however registration information shows that their website was just launched on November 27, 2020 - two weeks prior to the creation of the website for Philips Dachshunds.
  
  Another complainant stated that when she became concerned about the company, she asked them to do a FaceTime call with her so she could confirm that they're authentic but reported that they refused to do so until she paid.
  
  BBB offers the following recommendations to consider before buying a pet online:
  
  *See the pet in person before paying any money. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, consider a video call with the seller so you can see the seller and the actual pet for sale. Since scammers are not likely to comply with the request, this may help avoid a scam.
  
  *Do a reverse image search of the photo of the pet and search for a distinctive phrase in the description.
  
  *Do research to get a sense of a fair price for the breed you are considering. Think twice if someone advertises a purebred dog for free or at a deeply discounted price ... it could be a fraudulent offer.
  
  *Check out a local animal shelter online for pets you can meet before adopting.
  
  If you are the victim of a pet scam, BBB is asking you to report it through the following organizations and law enforcement agencies:
  
  Petscams.com - petscams.com/report-pet-scam-websites tracks complaints, catalogues puppy scammers and endeavors to get fraudulent pet sales websites taken down.
  
  Federal Trade Commission (FTC) - reportfraud.ftc.gov to file a complaint online or call 877-FTC-Help.
  
  Better Business Bureau. You can visit bbb.org/scamtracker to report a scam online.
  
  Canadian Antifraud Centre - antifraudcentre-centreantifraude or call 1-888-495-8501 for scams involving Canada.
  
  Your credit card issuer - if you provided your credit card number, even if the transaction was not completed.