Pet Owners Targeted in Lost Pet Scams Using Fake Shelter Calls

Losing a pet is a heartbreaking experience, and scammers are now exploiting that desperation with a new fraudulent scheme. The Oregon Humane Society (OHS) has issued a warning to pet owners about a spoofing scam where fraudsters pose as shelter representatives to demand payment for a supposedly injured pet’s treatment.

According to OHS, victims receive phone calls appearing to come from the shelter’s official number. The caller claims they have the lost pet, insists the animal is injured, and demands immediate payment before they will release the pet back to the owner.

“We don’t know exactly how these scammers are getting pet owners’ contact information, but we suspect they are using details from social media posts about missing pets,” said an OHS spokesperson.

Officials urge pet owners to be cautious when posting personal details online and to verify any call regarding a found pet by directly contacting the shelter. They emphasize that legitimate animal shelters do not request payment upfront for medical treatment before reuniting pets with their owners.

If you or someone you know receives a suspicious call, report it to your local authorities and avoid sending money without confirmation.

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