WASHINGTON — Searching for a lost pet is heartbreaking—but for some, the pain is made worse by falling victim to a scam. Fraudsters are taking advantage of pet owners’ desperation, pretending to have found their missing animals and demanding money for supposed medical expenses.
According to Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown, these scams are on the rise. In one case, a victim sent $2,600 to a scammer before realizing it was a hoax.
Here’s how the scheme works: Scammers comb through online lost pet posts to target vulnerable owners. Using caller ID spoofing, they make it appear as though the call is coming from trusted organizations like the Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter (BARCS), the Maryland SPCA, or Talbot Humane.
The scammer then claims to have found the lost pet in injured condition and pressures the owner to send money immediately for medical treatment—usually through payment apps like Zelle, Cash App, Venmo, or PayPal. They often threaten that care will be withheld without prompt payment.
In response, the Attorney General’s office issued a consumer alert, emphasizing that legitimate shelters typically do not request money through phone calls or money transfer services.
To protect yourself from this scam:
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Don’t send money via apps to individuals claiming to represent shelters.
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Verify the caller by asking for details only someone with your pet would know.
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Contact the shelter directly using their official contact information to confirm any claims.
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Report suspicious activity to the Maryland Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
If you believe you’ve been targeted, call the Maryland Office of the Attorney General at 410-528-8662 or visit www.marylandattorneygeneral.gov for help.
