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  • Geebo 9:00 am on November 12, 2025 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: missing pets, pet tracking, ,   

    How Criminals Are Preying on Grieving Pet Owners 

    By Greg Collier

    Scammers are taking advantage of missing-pet heartbreak to extort money. Here’s how to recognize the con before it happens to you.

    Turning a Pet Owner’s Hope into a Target:

    Imagine you’re desperately looking for your missing dog. You post photos online, contact local shelters, and share your story with friends. Then you get a message from someone who claims to have found your pet. They say your dog was injured and is at a nearby vet clinic. You feel instant relief until they ask you to send money before you can get your pet back.

    You pay the fee, only to discover it was a scam. Your pet is still missing, and your money is gone.
    Shelters and humane societies across the country have reported a sharp rise in this type of fraud. The Richmond SPCA in Virginia recently issued a public alert after callers pretended to be shelter workers collecting “medical fees” for injured pets that didn’t exist. The Oregon Humane Society and FOX5 Las Vegas have also warned about impostors posing as pet recovery teams demanding payment for fake rescue services.

    This cruel new twist on pet scams targets owners at their most vulnerable moment.

    How the Scam Works:

    1. A missing pet post goes public. Scammers search social media for posts about lost animals. They gather names, photos, and locations.
    2. They reach out, pretending to have the animal. The scammer claims your pet is safe or being treated for injuries.
    3. A payment demand follows. They say you must send money for medical care, transportation, or proof of ownership. Payments are requested through gift cards, Zelle, or wire transfer.
    4. The scammer disappears. After you send money, they block communication, leaving you without your pet or your funds.
    5. Emotional and financial harm remains. Victims often describe feeling manipulated and ashamed after realizing they were tricked.

    Some scammers go even further by creating fake “pet tracking” businesses that charge upfront fees for drone searches or ground teams that never materialize.

    Why It Works:

    The scam succeeds because it preys on emotion. When a pet goes missing, owners are desperate for good news. That desperation can override normal caution.

    Scammers also use the information owners share online to sound convincing. They may reference your pet’s name, breed, or neighborhood to build trust. Add in urgent language like “Your dog is hurt and needs surgery,” and it becomes hard to think clearly.

    The payment methods they request, such as gift cards or peer-to-peer apps, make recovery nearly impossible once money is sent.

    Red Flags:

    • A caller or messenger claims to have found your pet but cannot provide a current photo or proof.
    • You are asked to pay before seeing your pet or before confirming the location.
    • The contact insists on gift cards, crypto, or direct transfers instead of official billing methods.
    • The person pretends to represent a shelter, vet, or rescue but won’t give you a verifiable phone number or address.
    • The language in the message feels urgent, emotional, or pushy.

    Quick Tip: If someone claims to have your pet, ask them to send a short video of the animal with today’s date or a unique identifier like the collar tag. Scammers will usually make excuses instead of providing real proof.

    How to Protect Yourself:

    • Limit the amount of personal detail you share in public posts. Avoid listing your pet’s name, microchip number, or exact location until you have a trusted contact.
    • Verify all claims through official sources. If a caller says they are from a shelter or vet, hang up and call the facility directly using the number listed on its website.
    • Never send payment before confirming the person’s identity and the animal’s location.
    • Keep updated photos and vet records of your pet to help legitimate shelters identify them.
    • Report suspicious messages to your local police and animal control office.

    What to Do if You’ve Been Scammed:

    1. Stop all communication and save screenshots, phone numbers, and messages as evidence.
    2. Contact your bank or payment provider immediately to report the fraud.
    3. File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
    4. Notify local authorities and provide copies of your records.
    5. Share your story in neighborhood groups to warn other pet owners.

    Final Thoughts:

    Pet scams are some of the most heartless crimes because they exploit love and hope. Scammers know that a frantic pet owner will do almost anything to get their animal back.

    The best protection is awareness. If someone claims to have found your pet but asks for money or refuses to show proof, take a step back and verify. Ask questions, double-check the story, and never rush to pay.

    A few moments of caution can protect you from financial loss and give you a better chance of finding your pet safely.

    Further Reading:

     

  • Geebo 8:00 am on July 9, 2024 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , missing pets,   

    Missing pet scams rise after 4th 

    Missing pet scams rise after 4th

    By Greg Collier

    Following the recent Fourth of July celebrations over the past weekend, many pets have gone missing due to excessive fireworks in their areas. Unfortunately, scammers are exploiting the anxieties of pet owners during this time. Roanoke, Virginia, provides a prime example of how these scams are unfolding.

    The Roanoke Valley SPCA has reported a surge in calls about missing pets during this time. Losing a pet is every owner’s nightmare. The hope that comes with a call saying their beloved animal has been found can quickly turn to despair when it’s revealed to be a scam.

    Recently, two residents contacted the shelter after receiving suspicious calls. The scammer, posing as a third-party representative for the Roanoke Valley SPCA, claimed that their pets had been found but were injured in car accidents. The scammer said the dogs needed treatment for dislocated shoulders and requested the owners’ credit card information to cover the medical expenses. Victims were pressured and threatened with losing custody of their pets if they did not comply.

    The Roanoke Valley SPCA assures that pets will never be held hostage and emphasizes that they do not take in or treat stray animals. The organization would never ask for credit card payment over the phone or hold a pet for ransom.

    Posting about missing pets on social media can make pet owners targets for scammers due to the publicly accessible information and detailed descriptions shared in these posts. Desperate and emotionally vulnerable, owners often include contact information, making it easy for scammers to reach out and exploit their distress. Scammers use emotional manipulation, claiming the pet is injured or needs immediate medical attention, to pressure owners into quick payments. While social media can help in finding lost pets by reaching a large audience, it also increases the risk of scammers seeing the posts and taking advantage of the situation.

    To avoid being scammed when looking for a missing pet, owners should share information in trusted community groups, avoid posting personal contact details publicly, and verify claims by asking specific questions only someone with the pet would know. Be skeptical of anyone requesting money upfront for the pet’s return, and report suspicious contacts to authorities. Ensure pets are microchipped and have ID tags, and stay informed about local scams by following animal shelters and veterinary offices for alerts and advice. These precautions can help protect owners from scams while effectively utilizing resources to find their lost pets.

     

  • Geebo 8:00 am on July 24, 2023 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , missing pets, ,   

    One more social media scam to watch out for 

    Two more social media scams to watch out for

    By Greg Collier

    Social media platforms have become an integral part of our daily lives. From connecting with friends and family to discovering new trends and ideas, these online spaces offer seemingly endless possibilities. However, amid the allure of likes and follows lies a dark underbelly of deception and exploitation. Social media has become a breeding ground for an untold number of scams. Here is one, which has garnered headlines recently, which you should be on the lookout for.

    There are a few different lost pet scams on social media. This one appeals to our humanity and our desire to help others. Scammers are posting pictures of what appear to be injured cats or dogs. Don’t worry too much. The pictures used in these posts were stolen elsewhere from the internet. We’re pretty sure scammers aren’t actually injuring animals deliberately, but we wouldn’t put it past them.

    Accompanying the pictures are pleas to help find the pet’s owner. There’s also a request to share the post if you don’t know who the owner is. Someone would have to be heartless not to share the post, right? That’s what the scammers are hoping for. Once the post reaches a certain number of shares, the scammers will edit the post to show something else, typically related to some kind of scam. Recently, reports have shown scammers changing the post to sunglasses they’re supposedly selling. In the past, we’ve seen cryptocurrency ads and bank scams replace the original post.

    So, how do you differentiate between a scam post and a legitimate post about a lost or injured pet? Before sharing the post, check to see if the post allows comments. If it doesn’t, that’s a good indicator it might be a scam, as scammers don’t want people telling others the post is a scam. Also check the profile of the person making the post. If their profile has very few friends or is relatively new, those are also good indicators the post may be a scam. You can also check the person’s profile for where they supposedly live. If they live nowhere near where the pet was supposedly found, they’re probably scammers.

     

  • Geebo 8:00 am on June 21, 2023 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: missing pets,   

    New missing pet scam terrorizes owners 

    By Greg Collier

    The panic you feel when a beloved family pet goes missing is almost palpable. Owners of missing pets can’t help but wonder what their pet is possibly going through. In those situations, our thoughts often turn to the worst possible outcome. Then there’s light at the end of the tunnel. Someone has come forward claiming to have found your pet. But they’re not a good Samaritan. Instead, they’re a scammer looking to make some money off your anxiety.

    Unfortunately, this is a common scam anymore. If you were to lose a pet and put up flyers or ask for help on social media, there’s a good chance the first person to contact you will be a scammer. Scammers will say they have your pet before asking for some kind of reward. Some scammers will even make it sound like they’re holding your pet for ransom.

    More recently, scammers have increased the emotional manipulation used in the scam. Now, scammers are not only claiming to have found your pet, but they’re also claiming they had to take the pet in for emergency surgery. The scammers then try to get the amount of the ‘surgery’ out of the pet owners. Some scammers even pose as the local shelter while trying to get money from the owner. Sadly, some pet owners have fallen victim to the scam and lost large amounts of money to the scammers.

    It used to be when something like this happened, you would ask the caller to send you a picture of them with your pet. Some experts have warned this may not be viable anymore with the advancement of AI photo apps that could make it appear as if they have your dog.

    If you receive a call like this and the person says they took your dog into emergency surgery, ask them where the surgery took place. Then call the veterinarian’s office or animal shelter to verify their story before handing over any money.

     

  • Geebo 8:01 am on May 19, 2023 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: missing pets, , ,   

    New twist on missing pet scam 

    By Greg Collier

    There is a missing pet scam that’s been around for a while. When a missing pet’s owner posts fliers in the neighborhood or makes a post about the pet on social media, there’s a good chance they’ll be contacted by a scammer. Typically, the scammer will say they have the missing pet but will ask for money for the pet’s return. In reality, the scammer doesn’t even have the missing pet and is just looking for a payout.

    Now, there is a new twist to this scam. In Tennessee, a woman recently lost her French Bulldog. She made several posts across social media in case anyone had seen her dog. Like clockwork she was contacted by a scammer. Except this time, the scammer didn’t say they had the dog. Instead they claimed to be from a professional pet finding service which has a 97% success rate in finding lost pets. But their service wasn’t free and the woman sent $400 to the scammers. LIke many scams, the scammers kept asking for more money to supposedly find her dog.

    Not only is this scam a new twist on the missing pet scam, but it’s also a twist on another scam called the recovery scam. With the recovery scam, we’ve seen scammers promise they can find your stolen car and even promise to help scam victims get their money back. All for a fee of course, but the victims never see any results for their payment.

    Any service that promises it can find your lost or stolen property is not a real company, especially if they approach you first.

    You can ensure the safety of your pet by following these essential steps. Before your pet can run off, it is crucial to take them to the veterinarian to have them microchipped. Microchipped pets significantly increase the likelihood of being reunited with their owners if they happen to wander off. When creating fliers or social media posts to locate your lost pet, it is advisable to utilize your email address instead of your phone number. Sharing your phone number could potentially expose you to scammers who could exploit your personal information. Should someone claim to have found your pet, kindly request them to provide a photograph as proof. However, exercise caution if that person then proceeds to ask for money transfers or gift cards, as this is a clear indication of a scam attempt.

     

  • Geebo 8:00 am on June 28, 2022 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , missing pets, ,   

    Google Voice scam targets owners of lost pets 

    Google Voice scam targets owners of lost pets

    By Greg Collier

    Proving, once again, that there is no bad situation they won’t take advantage of, scammers are targeting people who have recently lost their pets. In the past, when a pet owner takes to social media asking for information about their lost pet, scammers would claim they found the lost pet while trying to extort money from the pet owner. More recently, scammers have changed their tactics to use lost pet owners for a less obvious scam.

    In Seminole County, Florida, police there have reported an upswing in the number of scam attempts on lost pet owners. In this scam, lost cat owners have been receiving text messages after posting to lost pet Facebook groups and lost pet websites. The scammers then ask for an authorization code that was texted to the pet owner that the scammers will say is used to verify the pet owner’s identity.

    This is a scam that has also been used against online sellers. It’s the Google Voice scam, where scammers will try to use someone else’s phone number to obtain a Google Voice number. Google Voice is a service that allows you to have a second phone number. The second number is not only tied to your Google account, but it’s also tied to your primary phone number.

    The authorization code is for when you sign up for Google Voice. If you give that code to a scammer, they’ll get a Google Voice number they can use in future scams that is linked to your phone number. Then the scammers can use the Google Voice number tied to your phone to commit other scams.

    The best way to avoid this scam is to sign up for your own Google Voice number. This way, scammers can’t use your phone number in their scam, since you’ve already signed up for the service. You don’t even need to use Google Voice as it has a do not disturb setting.

    If you ever lose a pet, ask the caller for a picture of the pet. If the caller gives you excuses why they can’t, it’s more than likely a scam. Another good way to help prevent this scam is to get your pets microchipped, even if they’re indoor pets like some cats.

     

  • Geebo 9:00 am on February 9, 2022 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , missing pets, , ,   

    Should you give a stranger an authorization code to get your pet back? 

    Should you give a stranger an authorization code to get your pet back?

    By Greg Collier

    Proving that they’re completely heartless, scammers will even try to scam people whose pets have gone missing. The most common lost pet scam is when the scammers claim they have your dog before asking you for money, either as a reward or as a ransom. In most cases, the scammers never had your dog and are hoping to catch you at a vulnerable time. More recently, we’ve seen a report about a new type of lost pet scam that online sellers have been the target of.

    In Ohio, The Better Business Bureau is warning about this scam, which is currently targeting local residents. One resident stated that she put up a social media post about her lost dog with her phone number attached. Within minutes of posting, she received a phone call from a California number. The caller said they had found the dog. However, in order to verify the owner, the caller said they would be sending a six-digit code through a text message and that the dog’s owner should give that code number to the caller.

    If you’re a frequent online seller, you may recognize this as the Google Voice scam. Google Voice is a service that allows you to have a second phone number. The second number is not only ted to your Google account, but it’s tied to your primary phone number as well. The six-digit code is an authorization code for when you sign up for Google Voice. If you give that code to a scammer, they’ll get a phone number they can use in future scams that is tied to your phone number. While this scam may not cost you any money, it can cost you a lot of inconvenience if the number gets traced back to you.

    If you ever lose a pet and someone has claimed to have found them, ask the caller for a picture of the pet. This way, you can verify if they really have the pet. If they give you an excuse like their camera is broken, it’s more than likely a scam. To help prevent scams like this, we recommend getting your pets microchipped, even if they’re indoor pets. You can never plan for when your pet may make a run for it.

     

  • Geebo 9:00 am on November 24, 2021 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , , missing pets,   

    When pets go missing, scammers follow 

    By Greg Collier

    It only takes a moment. Maybe you left the front door open just a second too long. Or maybe the leash gets yanked out of your hand while on a walk. Before you know it, your pet is long gone, run off to who knows where in the neighborhood. You hope your neighbors are kind enough to let you know if they spot your pet, so you put up notices on platforms like Facebook, Craigslist, and Nextdoor. You even post fliers on telephone poles in the area. However, you’re teased with brief glimpses of hope as people claim that they’ve found your pet, only to find out that they’re scammers.

    This is what happened to a woman in Texas when her 17-year-old dog with special needs got out of the family’s home in the blink of an eye. The dog’s owner posted about her lost dog on social media and put out physical fliers that included her phone number. It wasn’t long before people started calling her, claiming to have her dog. One caller asked the woman to enter a verification code to prove she was the dog’s owner. While the report doesn’t state it, this sounds a lot like the Google Voice scam. This is where scammers can get a Google Voice number linked to your phone number and use the Google number to commit future scams.

    Another caller said that they were going to harm the dog and sent the woman a picture of a gun. Again, while the report doesn’t mention it, this scammer was probably trying to extort some kind of payment out of the dog’s owner even though they didn’t have the dog.

    Unfortunately, the woman has yet to find her lost dog.

    So what can you do to prevent this from happening to you and your pet? The first thing you should do before a pet can run off is take them to the vet and get them microchipped. Chipped pets have a much better chance of being returned home. If you need to post fliers or social media posts, use your email address instead of your phone number. Scammers can find a lot of personal information about you if they know your phone number. If someone claims to have your pet, ask them to send a picture of your pet. And if someone claims to have your pet and asks you to wire money or send them gift cards, they do not have your pet and are just trying to scam you.

     

  • Geebo 8:00 am on July 1, 2021 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , , missing pets, , PTSD   

    Please be considerate with fireworks 

    Please be considerate with fireworks

    By Greg Collier

    Yes, it’s great that we get to reacquaint ourselves with our friends, family, and neighbors this 4th of July weekend. After the year we’ve all had, many of us have reason to celebrate this summer. And nothing says 4th of July like some celebratory fireworks. In municipalities where fireworks are legal this time of year, restrictions are being lifted so party goers can celebrate in style. Even in places where fireworks aren’t legal, there will still be a number of get-togethers that will include fireworks. However, if you care about your community, you may want to reconsider how you go about setting off your explosive party favors.

    As most pet owners can tell you, 4th of July can be very stressful for cats and dogs. This is the time of year when most pets escape due to the loud noises from fireworks. July 5th is the busiest day of the year for animal shelters since so many pet owners are looking for their lost dog or cat. If you’re a pet owner, you should get your pets inside before sundown. This should also include outdoor cats. Make sure your home is secure while your pets are inside as frightened pets can sometimes find an escape that you may not have thought of.

    It’s not just pets you should be considerate to, either. There’s also a number of people who are sensitive to fireworks as well. When we think of PTSD, we tend to think of military veterans. Yes, we should be taking combat veterans feelings into consideration, but civilians cat get PTSD as well. Loud noises at night are often a trigger for PTSD sufferers. If you must set off fireworks, please don’t make it a week-long event. Consider keeping it limited to only the 4th. You may also want to consider not letting the fireworks go deep into the night, either. Think about cutting them off at around 10:00 PM.

    We all want to have a safe and happy weekend. Please take the happiness and safety of your neighbors into consideration as well.

     

  • Geebo 8:00 am on October 30, 2019 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , missing pets,   

    Scam targets distraught pet owners 

    Scam targets distraught pet owners

    Losing a beloved family pet is one of the most heartbreaking experiences that anyone can endure. In some ways losing a pet is worse than having a pet pass away as when a pet gets loose and runs off you may never know what has happened to them. It doesn’t help when there are those out there who are looking to take advantage of your loss. That’s right, there are scammers and con artists out there who are going to try to make money off of you while you’re trying to find your lost pet.

    In a recent report out of the Orlando, Florida area, a local animal shelter there has reported that scammers have tried to prey on at least one family who recently lost their dog. The scammer will get the victim’s contact information off of a flyer or social media post. They’ll then tell the victim that they have their pet but will demand a gift card as a type of reward before giving the pet back. In reality, the scammer does not have the pet and just wants the gift card so they can drain the gift card of its value and disappear.

    [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHl3f-Ax2z8%5D

    If you have lost a pet and receive notification of someone claiming to have your pet, ask them for a current picture of your pet. If they can’t produce one or send one that is obviously not the pet then they’re trying to scam you. You can also better protect yourself by omitting some of the identifying marks on your pet from their description on any missing pet posts. This will better allow you to tell if someone really does have your missing pet. If someone does provide proof they have your pet, have them meet you at a local police station to minimize any potential threat. And as always, never make payments over the phone to strangers with gift cards.

     

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