McKamey Animal Center is warning of a new scam preying on pet owners using lost pet services like PawBoost. Scammers contact individuals who have lost pets and demand payment before the pet is returned, a method the center considers fraudulent.
How the scam works: Exploiting emotions for money
Scammers take advantage of pet owners' emotional vulnerabilities by listing or finding lost pets on services like PawBoost and then contacting owners with deceptive offers. . They claim to have found a lost animal, but insist on receiving payment before being reunited. McKamey Animal Center emphasizes that this is a clear red flag. The legitimate person or organization that finds your lost pet will not ask for any money upfront.
McKamey's advice: How to navigate
McKamey Animal Center officials are advising pet owners to be careful when dealing with someone who claims to have picked up a lost pet. They stress that no money should be exchanged before the pet is safely returned. To protect themselves and their pets, owners are encouraged to verify the identity of the person who claims to have found their pet, ask for proof of ownership such as a current photo, and meet in a safe public location if possible. . Additionally, McKamey Animal Center makes it clear that no advance payment is required for the return of a pet, distinguishing their legitimate service from scammer tactics.
Stay ahead: preventative measures
Given the devastating nature of losing a pet, McKamey Animal Center urges pet owners to take precautions to reduce the risk of falling victim to such scams. This includes microchipping your pet, keeping photos up to date, and using social media and community networks responsibly when reporting lost pets. Awareness and education about these scams is key to protecting both pets and their owners from exploitation.
The rise in scams targeting lost pet listings is an alarming trend and highlights the extent to which individuals exploit people in vulnerable situations. McKamey Animal Center's warning serves as an important reminder to pet owners to remain vigilant, question motives, and take steps to protect themselves from fraudulent schemes that prey on the human-pet bond. Function.
