Instagram Scammers: nowhere is safe besides BYC & Local only!

[vampyrdame]

Just a heads up to hide yo’ kids and yo’ wife, and definitely hide the online photos of your chickens. Have to be so vigilant and selective when approving friends/follow requests because people like this are just ripping LEGITIMATE breeder’s pictures and creating spoof scam accounts. I was under the impression that the Silkie community on IG was relatively safe. NOPE. I spent two hours talking to this person, only to do a quick Google reverse image search before sending over a payment. Always remember to ask for that N.P.I.P Cert!!!!

scammer username: bright_backyard_chickens

 

[Sally PB]

Good advice.

 

[SourRoses]

My advice is to deal in person and pay in cash. That way you keep a broad local pool to source from (most sellers are not NPIP, as the tests are not relevant).
Never pay for a chicken sight unseen!

With the exception of established, reputable breeders you can find reviews for in multiple places, with proper websites.
And keep the dollar amount low if you decide to take a chance. Most of the scams center around pricey breeds / colors. The people we've heard from have been duped over $400 trios, not so much $100 box of chicks.
If in doubt, ask for advice! Scammers play to your emotions and establish a rapport. A person who hasn't been involved in that process is better equipped to spot a scam.

And don't be embarrassed! Scammers are getting better and better at all sorts of scams, they've been learning, and they teach each other. Rental scams are so extreme right now, they steal every detail of real listings and often try to pass themselves off as the real owner. My family almost fell for one, but my mom got a bit suspicious and asked for some kind of proof, the guy sent a picture of his driver's license with the same name as the county listed homeowner. So, she called the DMV to verify, and it turned out to be a fake ID because the numbers didn't match!