Don't trust caller ID: Beware of this scam targeting pet owners
The Denver Animal Shelter is warning the public of a scam that targets pet owners who are looking for their lost pets.
DENVER (KDVR) -- The Denver Animal Shelter is warning the public of a scam that targets pet owners who are looking for their lost pets.
The scam was noticed several months ago, but the shelter said it appears to be rekindled this holiday season.
According to a release from the Denver Animal Shelter, multiple people have come to the shelter looking for their lost pets after receiving a phone call from someone who said their pet is at the shelter.
The scammer tells them that their pet was hit by a car and needs emergency surgery, but says the shelter will not start treatment without a $500 deposit that must be paid with a credit card over the phone.
"Potential victims say the scammer’s phone number comes up as 311—Denver’s main information number—which makes them think the call is legit," the Denver Animal Shelter said in a release Friday.
The shelter said it only takes payments in person and will never take a payment over the phone.
The scam is not limited to the Denver Animal Shelter. According to the release, scammers have called lost pet owners asking for $1,300, with the caller ID showing up as the Buddy Center in Castle Rock.
Melanie Sobel, director of the Denver Animal Shelter, said scammers might be finding people's information via lost pet social media websites like PawBoost and 24HourPetconnect. Lost pet owners use these sites to post information about their missing pet along with their phone number in hopes of finding their pet.
“It is disgusting that anyone would take advantage of someone who has lost a pet, who is very emotional and desperate to find their furry family member. Luckily, the pet owners who've been contacted by scammers pretending to be with us are suspicious and don’t fall for the ploy,” Sobel said.
Avoiding the scam and what to do if you lost a pet
The Denver Animal Shelter said if you receive a call from someone demanding money and saying they have your pet at a shelter, you should hang up and call the shelter yourself.
The shelter advises anyone who has lost a pet to only post on reputable lost pet websites with only their first name and contact information.
The shelter also recommends regularly checking local animal shelter websites for found pets and posting lost pet signs in the neighborhood.
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