INDIANAPOLIS (WXIN) — Scammers are at it again, this time targeting people whose pets are missing.
The new scam involves crooks calling the owners of the lost pets, but posing as representatives of local animal shelters or humane societies. They then claim to have found the missing pet, but need money for veterinary care before the animal can be released.
Recently, more and more pet organizations in the area say they’ve learned that these scammers are claiming to be affiliated with their groups.
“We’re seeing that it’s popping up in a couple of instances where it’s happening, and it’s not us, folks. It’s absolutely not us,” said CEO of IndyHumane Donna Casamento.
Below is a post on the app Nextdoor where a person claimed to have received a call from what she thought was IndyHumane. The caller told her they found her cat but that it had been hit by a car and that she needed to pay for surgery to get it back. Unfortunately, what they thought was the possibility of finding their pet was fake.
“Got a call from indyhumane (no caller id) stating my cat was brought in and hit by a car and I have to pay for his surgery NOW,” the Nextdoor user claimed. “Was transferred to financial support after giving whomever I was speaking with consent to treat him. No options to do payment plans, I gave his microchip number and apparently it was a match. Now I am scared it’s a scam.”
IndyHumane says they would never do that.
“There are under no circumstances that IndyHumane would contact a pet owner and say you must give us money before we treat your animal,” Casamento said.
According to the Better Business Bureau, there’s been an increase in pet scams this year.
The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department has also received calls about the scam as well as calls about lost pets. While it’s hard to track down the scammers and arrest them, the police did offer tips on finding different ways to verify that the shelter has your pet.
Lt. William Carter with IMPD first suggests calling back the organization that the caller claims to be affiliated with — but from a verified number — to ask, “‘Hey, do you have my animal?'”
“When you call, just slow down and verify the information for anyone claiming they have the pet,” he says.
The IMPD also suggests never giving your pet’s microchip number over the phone. If an actual shelter or rescue has your pet, they should be able to provide you with the number first.
IndyHumane said they are frustrated with this new scam, especially because it targets pet owners who are already vulnerable.
“They are preying on these people who have lost their pet or searching for them and would do anything to get them back,” Casamento said. “That’s not appropriate for people to be taking advantage of our citizens in that way. It’s just not right.”