Scammers impersonating SPCA Wake, local law enforcement agencies and veterinary hospitals are contacting those with lost pets to falsely claim the animals need emergency surgery.
A notice from SPCA Wake aims to alert local pet owners who have recently lost pets not to be fooled by the fraudulent offers.
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The callers use caller ID to pose as legitimate and claim the pet has been found with severe, life-threatening injuries. The scammer then demands a large payment, often thousands of dollars, and threatens that the pet will be euthanized if the money is not sent promptly.
“This scam is particularly heartbreaking because it preys on people who are already experiencing the distress of a missing pet,” said Samantha Ranlet, communications manager with SPCA Wake. “These pet owners just want their pets back safe and sound. The scammers create a sense of urgency, knowing the owner may not be willing to risk being wrong and seeing their pet lose their life.”
SPCA Wake urges pet owners to hang up immediately if they receive a call under these circumstances and report the scam to 311.
“SPCA Wake will never call you demanding payment for an animal’s care, and we want to ensure that pet owners in our community know how to recognize this scam and protect themselves,” says Ranlet.