Avoiding Maine Coon Kitten Scams
It has been brought to my attention that there is a scammer using Classy Maine Coon Kittens. We are in no way associated with this ‘scammer’. Fortunately those who have contacted me did not get scammed. If you are reading this you know my web address is a “.com” address. We are not associated with ClassyMaineCoonKittens.net nor are we associated with ClassyCoons.net. Know that we are in Georgia and we do not have any other locations, so if you search and see our info listed in another state, this is not us. Our kittens do however live in almost every state in the USA….but they are raised in Georgia!
If there is no phone number on the website so that you can talk to the breeder personally back away. Websites that only give you option of filing out your contact information - back away!
These are some of the warning signs to alert you of a scammer.
Scammers can only provide you with very few pictures. They will be unable to provide you with photos of that kitten at various stages in its development. Pictures of our kittens will carry our ‘Classy Coon Logo’ pictured below.
Scammers become irritated with questions.
Many scammer’s use only text messages. If you are actually able to talk with someone on the phone ask many questions. If you sense irritation let this be a sign to back away.
If the scammer asked for payment using Zelle, Cash App, Venmo or Western Union, step away. Pay with only a credit card or with a method that you can fight for your refund if this is a scam. I repeat do not pay a deposit or send a ‘cash card’ of any kind for payment. Always pay with a method that the charges can be reversed!
Scammers will offer these kittens at unusually low prices including ‘transport’ to your door. You will lose your money and never see your promised kitten.
Scammers will use the same pictures on different scammer websites. The websites will go off line for periods of time and you will not be able to access it.
Scammers use Facebook to set up fake pages with ‘Maine Coon Kittens For Sale’. These scammers also use random pictures of kittens that do not belong to them. The link to our official Facebook profile is below.
Educate yourself and know the legitimate cat fanciers associations. Scammers ignorantly state that the kitten is registered with a ‘dog’ association. A legitimate breeder is knowledgeable of cat fancier associations in the United States.
Scammers lure you with the promise of ‘import’ kittens at prices that seem too good to be true, and they are. We have imported kittens from all over the world and know first hand the expense of bringing a kitten to the US.
If you have any doubt have the breeder send you a video and have them say ‘YOUR NAME’ in the video. Better yet, Facetime with the breeder and your kitten so you can talk to the breeder while seeing the kitten in real time.
Watch for misspelled words on their website, no name or address on the website is a flag.
If you do actually talk to someone a reputable breeder will ask you questions to help them determine that you would be a good pet owner.
Those who have been scammed say they are poor communicators and confusing in conversation.
If you’ve actually sent them payment for a kitten (that doesn’t exist) they will ask for more for various other expenses. Example they may tell you that during the transport your kitten is stuck at the airport in a city (they name) and they need additional money to continue the transport.
Another ploy for more money if you’ve already sent payment for a kitten (that doesn’t exist) is requesting you to send more money for a climate controlled carrier. The one I heard about most recently was $2000 with the promise that once kitten was delivered you would receive the money back. Do not fall for this!
A NEW ONE: “The shipping place told me I needed to pay $980 for a temperature controlled crate so they can ship it because they “don’t want to risk the kitten getting sick or dying” and I’d get an $850 refund with a receipt in cash”. DO NOT FALL FOR THIS! I’ve also heard it being referred to as a ‘climate controlled’ crate. Airlines will only allow animals to fly when the temperatures are within their rules for safe shipping. Animals fly in ‘climate controlled’ compartment.
Watch for a “Buy Now” button. Any reputable breeder will have conversation so that you can get to know one another.
If the price is ‘too good to be true’ then it most likely is a scam. Reputable breeders invest into quality food, veterinarian care, supplements, testing and are careful to invest in healthy pedigree cats for their breeding programs. Most breeders do not do this for the ‘money’ because truly many most likely lose it rather than gain from it. Most of us do this for the ‘joy’ that our kittens and cats brings to others and to ourselves. So if you do see kittens listed for ‘cheap’ do investigate and be intuitive before sending any money.
If you’ve already sent money for kitten they will makes themselves seem legitimate by supplying you with ‘tracking’ information. Their next scam is to require more money from you to pay for ‘insurance’ for the transport. Any legitimate breeder will NOT tack on extra fees once you’ve agreed on purchasing the kitten.
If they send you a copy of the CFA certificate or TICA certificate to verify that they are registered with either of these associations, call the office of CFA and or TICA and they will be glad to authenticate the breeder as legitamate. Scammers photo shop names out and replace. Some create their own certificates from CFA and TICA to scam with counterfeit certificates.
A NEW ONE: Scammer asking you to send a gift card so that they can get rabies vaccination before sending to you. Do not fall for this. Rabies vaccinations are not given to young kittens. Any reputable breeder will have all age appropriate vaccines done at their own expense….not yours!
Follow your gut feelings.
We have collected all our our information above from those contacting us to ‘thank us’ for helping them to avoid a scam. Many who have been scammed contact us with their expreiences - it makes us sad and mad ! We appreciate those who share with us so we can pass on the scammer strategies with others in hopes of sparing loss of funds and loss of emotional sadness.
Our official website is classycoons.com which holds the Standard SSL Certificate. Take a look now at the address bar on your browser. https:// the “s” behind the http indicates you are on a secure website.
We have never nor will we ever sell our kittens on Craig’s List.
We typically have no need to advertise our maine coon kittens because they are made available on our website under the “Kittens” tab. Most of our maine coon kittens find their homes through referrals of those who already have a Classy Coon Maine Coon, or from those who found our Maine Coon kittens through our website and have been placed on our notification list.
We do not cargo ship, so if you are told by someone pretending to be us, know that this is an impostor. We will meet you at the airport (GSP) with your new kitten, but will not put one of our kittens in a crate and cargo ship.
We do not ask you to use Western Union or send a loaded credit card for payment or a deposit. We accept credit card payments for our ‘Reservation Fee”.
We can be found on FB (Facebook), Pinterest and Instagram. We are transparent and will not hide behind text messages. We are licensed by the Georgia Department of Agriculture and can provide the reports of our inspections.
Classy Coons is registered with both TICA and CFA. Both of these associations are respected across this nation and internationally. This can be verified! Scammers cannot get your kitten registered as a Classy Coon from either of these associations.
We are not associated with ACA or ACFA ; therefore if anyone claims a Classy Coon is registered with either of these association this is not an authentic and pedigreed Classy Coon.
We do not sell breeding rights but have partnered with a select few breeders. See links below.
Meowhaus Maine Coons