GRANT COUNTY, Wash. — The Grant County Sheriff’s Office (GCSO) has issued a warning regarding fraudulent schemes that target people searching for missing pets.
The GCSO reported that swindlers take advantage of individuals worried about their lost animals. The Sheriff’s Office identified five common scams currently used to target pet owners.
Among the fraudulent tactics identified by the GCSO are fake veterinarian bills and fake reward claims. In fake vet bill scams, scammers claim a missing pet is injured and demand money for emergency treatment, sometimes using artificial intelligence-generated photos or fake X-rays. In fake reward claims, swindlers claim to have the missing pet and demand payment before providing any proof.
They say other tactics involve fake animal control calls and verification code scams. In animal control scams, perpetrators pose as shelter workers or animal control officers to demand immediate release fees. Verification code scams involve callers requesting a text message code under the premise of proving ownership, which instead grants the scammer access to personal accounts.
Swindlers also offer fake pet recovery services. They say perpetrators claim to offer search dogs, drones, or tracking services, collect upfront fees from pet owners, and disappear without providing services.
To guard against these schemes, the GCSO advises pet owners to request proof before believing someone has their animal. Officials recommend contacting shelters and veterinarians directly using verified phone numbers, researching recovery services before making payments, and never sending money or sharing verification codes with unverified individuals.
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