Christmas might seem an ideal time to give the gift of a dog’s unconditional love.

But Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel warns that scammers have ways to exploit that impulse.

Michigan residents in recent years have been tricked into paying for pets that do not exist or have adopted pets with undisclosed health issues, behavioral complications or falsified medical records. According to a news release, Nessel recently launched an investigation into an individual on the pet adoption website RescueMe.org who is accused of misleading Michigan consumers by allegedly falsifying vaccination records for an animal sold through the website.

“While the holidays inspire many to bring in the joy with a furry friend, it’s important consumers exercise caution when searching for a new pet,” Nessel said. “Always thoroughly research any online purchase to ensure you are not the latest victim of a scam.”

Scammers also take advantage of the holiday season as a reason to avoid in-person visits and demand additional fees.

Nessel released a Public Service Announcement in 2022 with tips to help consumers spot and avoid puppy scams. Consumers should remain hyper-vigilant and use these best practices:

— Make sure the person you’re gifting the pet to wants the pet and is ready for ownership.

— Research the breed and breeder.

— If the breeder claims to have registered the puppy, research the pet.

— Do not purchase a puppy sight unseen.

— Arrange for safe transport of the pet.

— Use a credit card to make the purchase. If it turns out to be a scam, it is unlikely the money can be recovered if paid through cash, check or platforms such as PayPal and Venmo.

— Retain all documents and communications from the breeder.

— Consider adopting from a local shelter.

Each year, consumers in the U.S. spend more than $1 billion buying puppies without realizing they may be doing business with scammers, puppy mill operators or both, according to the news release. Puppy mills are inhumane dog breeding operations that keep dogs in overcrowded and unhealthy conditions and, depending on location, many are not regulated or inspected. Breeders hide their poor conditions by meeting buyers at offsite locations or selling through pet stores or online.

To view all holiday scam alerts, go to the Department of Attorney General’s website at https://www.michigan.gov/ag.

Michigan consumers who believe they have been a victim of a puppy scam can file a complaint with:

Consumer Protection Team

P.O. Box 30213

Lansing, MI 48909

517-335-7599

Fax: 517-241-3771

Toll-free: 877-765-8388

An online complaint form also is available at https://www.michigan.gov/consumerprotection/complaints.