Pet Travel Scams
False Credibility
Criminal scammers often use the names of legitimate pet shippers such as Expressanimal.com, using pirate websites and the logos of these companies to appear genuine. The difference is that correspondence will often come from a third-party domain, such as gmail.com, rather than the company URL (for example, info@expressanimal.com). We recommend contacting them via email or phone to ensure they are credible.
Detecting Fake Shipping Companies Through Copied Content
Fake shipping companies frequently steal content from reputable businesses to appear credible. Scammers usually make only minor changes, such as altering the company name. A simple way to identify this is by copying a portion of their website text and searching it online to see if it matches content from legitimate companies.
Questionable Payment Methods: A Red Flag for Scams
Scammers often rely on payment methods like Western Union or MoneyGram, which are typically untraceable and non-refundable. Unlike secure systems such as PayPal, which offers credit card protection, these methods provide no safety for consumers. Legitimate pet transport companies will use accredited payment systems that issue tax invoices, ensuring transparency and accountability.
Lack of Communication: A Warning Sign of Scammers
Many scammers avoid providing a general inquiry form or contact number, which is an immediate red flag. Before making any payments, it’s important to contact the company directly—preferably by phone—as this is much harder to fake than online communication alone.
