Fake listings and stolen photos
4 min read
How it works
A scammer copies the photos and description from a genuine horse for sale, then reposts it as their own, usually at a lower price to attract buyers fast. They collect deposits from several people at once and disappear. Because the photos are of a real, nice horse, the listing looks convincing.
How to spot it
- Run a reverse image search on the main photos. Duplicate listings under different seller names are a giveaway.
- Ask for a brand-new photo or video with a specific detail: today's date on paper, a particular halter, the horse from a certain angle.
- Check that the seller can answer specific questions a real owner would know instantly (vet, farrier schedule, quirks, training history).
- Be wary when the location is vague or keeps changing, or the seller cannot meet anywhere consistent.
What we do about it
HorseBond gathers listings from many sources and reviews them, but no system catches everything. If a listing looks stolen or the seller cannot produce a fresh photo of the horse, report it from the listing page and hold onto your money until you have verified the horse is really theirs.
HorseBondis a search engine, not the seller. Contact always happens through each horse's original listing, and you can report anything that looks off right from the listing page. Browse horses →