How to Avoid Adopt Me Scams
Scams are unfortunately common in Adopt Me trading. Every year, thousands of players lose valuable pets to scammers using deceptive tactics. This guide covers the most common scam types and how to protect yourself in 2026.
The Most Common Scams
Trust Trading
A scammer asks you to trade them your pet for free, promising to trade it back with extras. They claim it is a trust exercise. Once they have your pet, they leave the server. Never give away your pet on a promise. Legitimate trades happen in the trading window where both sides put up items simultaneously.
Fake Middleman Scams
In cross-trades (trading Adopt Me items for Robux or items in other games), scammers offer a middleman who is actually their friend. You give the pet to the middleman, who gives it to the scammer. Both disappear. Avoid cross-trading with strangers entirely. Use a trusted platform like pets.cash instead.
Item Switching
A scammer puts up a valuable pet in the trade window, then quickly switches it for a lower-value pet that looks similar right before you accept. Always double-check the trade window after both players confirm. Look at the pet's exact name, rarity, and neon status before hitting the final accept button.
Fake Giveaway Scams
Scammers host giveaways that require you to trade them a pet first as an entry fee, or ask you to log into a fake website to claim a prize. Legitimate giveaways never require you to trade pets or enter your password.
Value Manipulation
Scammers try to convince you that your pet is worth less than it actually is, or that their pet is worth more. They may reference fake value lists or claim that values recently changed. Always check values yourself on a trusted source like our pet values list before accepting any trade.
Red Flags to Watch For
- Anyone asking you to go first in a trade
- Pressure to accept quickly before you can think
- Offers that seem too good to be true
- Requests to leave the game or join a different server
- Links to external websites for trading
- Claims of being a moderator, admin, or famous YouTuber
- Asking for your password or account information
How to Trade Safely
Only use the official trading window. Every legitimate Adopt Me trade can be completed through the in-game trading system where both players see exactly what they are receiving.
Know your values. Before any trade, check the values list and tier list to understand what a fair deal looks like.
For cross-game trades, use pets.cash. Converting pets to Robux, crypto, or gift cards through our automated platform eliminates all scam risk. Our bot handles the trade and payment simultaneously. Learn how it works.