More ads  

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I identify scams when I am buying or selling my horse?

There are a lot of people out there who are targeting buyers and, more commonly, sellers on online classified websites. You are especially likely to be approached with a scam if you are selling something for under under $3,000 — whether it's a horse, tack, equipment, trailer, frozen semen, etc. If you pay attention to a few clues, you can help to protect yourself.

Indications that it might be a scam:
1. Buyer offers to purchase the horse or item without asking questions or asking to see additional photos or video.
2. Buyer or seller suggests a deal that involves a third party.
3. Buyer or seller suggests a deal that involves them sending you a cashier's check or money order for more than the purchase price and you sending them back "the change" in the form of a cashier's check, money order or wire transfer.
4. Buyer or seller is not from your country and English may not be their first language.

Other ways to protect yourself:
1. Look up potential buyers/sellers online to ensure that they are legitimate and to check for errors or discrepancies.
2. Check out any info that buyers/seller give you to make sure it is accurate.
3. Search for your potential USA-based buyer/seller on Ripoff Report; there is a horsetrader category that will give you information about unscrupulous horse dealers — http://www.ripoffreport.com/searchresults.asp?q1=1127.
3. Ask for references.
4. Have horses vet-checked.
5. Insist on a buyers or sellers agreement to protect yourself.
6. If you do receive payment by mail, take it to your bank and make sure it is legitimate before shipping the horse or item.

At SNH, we are taking steps to identify and block scammers and fake ads to help protect you, our valued community. If you receive an response that you suspect is a scammer or see an ad that doesn't seem right, please do not hesitate to contact us and we will follow up.

More Scams Questions | FAQ Home