Watch Out For This Strange Wounded Pet Scam

Well everyone, here we are again. There's another scam floating around, and it's a mean one.

A Scam Directed At Worried Pet Owners

Basically, what they do is they look online at missing pet pages, or they find flyers for missing pets out in public.  Then, they call the owner, pretending to be either from a vet's office, or the local animal shelter.

They tell the owner they have their pet, but that the pet was injured.  So to get the pet back, they have to pay for the surgery or treatment the pet got, and then they can come and pick up their pet.  They can even take your credit card information over the phone.

Only...they don't have your pet.  They never did. 

A quick search online shows this is happening all over the place.

And again:

And here it is in Tampa Bay:

So please, please don't feel stupid or anything if someone calls and they sound legit.  They're supposed to sound legit, that's why it's working.  And they're going for you when you're very vulnerable.  I know how terrible it is when a pet goes missing.  It's a very difficult time for the entire family.

So...How Can You Be Sure?

Well, now that you know it's a thing, that's half the battle.  If you do have a missing pet, there are a few things you can know going forward.

 No one with the Sedalia Animal Shelter, or the City's Animal Control Department will ever ask you for money over the phone. 

If you're not sure but the caller ID looks real, just hang up and call back.  Don't hit the call back button, because if someone spoofed the real number, you're just calling the scammer back.  Find the number and call it yourself. If someone from the Animal Shelter, for example, is pretending to call you and it just...feels wrong,  just hang up and dial the Shelter.  If you're really talking to an employee, they won't mind.  If it's a scam, well, then they clearly won't pick up.

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I know, it can be kinda hard to think that people are wired like this, to take advantage of people who are just trying to reunite their families.  But it's a thing, and here's hoping it won't happen to you.

 
Scammingly yours,
Behka