Learn How Scammers Target You After Your Maine Pet Goes Missing

This frightens me and it should frighten you as well, but we are going to talk through it like a family and prepare ourselves to avoid becoming victims ourselves, okay?

Take a deep breath, we got you.  

According to Maine Lost Dog Recovery, criminals are now stealing your money, data, and private information after your pet goes missing.

Read More: Maine Business Loses Thousands to Bank Scam

There is nothing worse then losing a pet and the vulnerability that hits you. And now scammers are taking advantage of that vulnerability in person and online.

How do the scammers steal your money through your missing pet? 

For example, if Spot runs away, you search for him frantically and create posters saying "Missing Pet" throughout your neighborhood and beyond, and those posters include your phone number. 

What they are doing is next-level cruel.

The scammers grab the number on the posters, call you and claim they’ve found your pet. You breath a sigh of relief for a second and thank God Spot has been found.

Read More: LOOK: You Won't Believe How Easy it is to Be Scammed in Maine

They start with the demand, money upfront and then they’ll return Spot. If that happens, it may be a trap. You could have offered a reward on your sign so it may not surprise you at first but you send the cash and then they disappears, which in turn, is the scam. 

According to the post, they may also text you with the following requests:

• Someone will say they found your dog and ask for a reward or payment for food they bought for your pet. 
• The scammer will pretend to be from Animal Control and ask you for Google verification code as proof that you are the owner. DON’T CLICK ON ANY LINKS. 
• Scammers ask if your dog is missing, then try to engage you in conversation to either ask for money or continue the Google code scam. 

So then you send them the “reward” or a “transportation fee” and the disappear and Spot is still gone.  

What can you do to avoid this?

If someone sends you a message claiming they have found your pet, have them call you on the phone and meet you in person with your pet, and bring friends with you. Only then, will you give them a reward. Do not click on any links and if it seems off, it probably is.

We will do anything for our pets, but we don't want any of you missing a pet and then also missing a ton of money or personal information.

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