“We had two Boston terriers for about 10 years,” Charles Seaford told Action 9 attorney Jason Stoogenke. “The last one passed away about a year ago.”
>>CLICK HERE for more Action 9 reports
And Seaford’s wife was ready for another.
“When she gets ready, she’s ready,” he said.
He says they found one online, supposedly in Charleston. They paid. He eventually got suspicious and cut off communication.
Unfortunately, he says they fell for another puppy scam. This time in Tennessee. He says they even started driving there and almost made it.
“She sends us a text, and she says, ‘My son has got to have surgery. We can’t do the dog right now, but if you can send the rest of the payment, then I’ll ship it to you,’” he explained.
He agreed and -- now that she had them -- she came up with other expenses they needed to spring for, such as shipping, a climate-controlled carrying case, and insurance.
“That’s where I drew the line... I said, ‘Can you give me a picture of the puppy?’” he said.
He says his daughter searched the image online and saw it was a stock photo used in lots of places.
He says they lost more than $2,000.
“I hate people that try to scam people,” he said. “Honest, hard-working people.”
They ended up getting one -- an adorable little girl, Gracie -- from a breeder. He wishes he had started there or at a shelter. Like he says his father always told him, “Life is full of lessons. Just some cost more than others.”
Stoogenke talks to groups about scams often. Scams involving dogs are on his Top 10 list. So, here are the lessons:
- Obviously, it’s usually best to get a dog in person. Think about rescuing one.
- If you really want to buy a dog online, research the seller.
- Be suspicious if that person wants you to pay in an unusual way.
- Most of all -- don’t trust the picture or video of the dog that’s online. You don’t know where the seller got it.
©2026 Cox Media Group
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/LH3JSJEF3VBLRJLJQESEAG34AM.png)
