PEMBROKE PARK, Fla. – Scammers pretending to work for The Humane Society are targeting people who are using sites like Ring, Nextdoor, Facebook, and Pawboost to find their lost pets.
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In many cases, the fraudsters pretended the lost pets was at the shelter and the owner needed to send money for emergency veterinary care.
On Monday night, one of the victims sent an e-mail to the Humane Society to ask when she could visit the shelter in Broward County to see her pet.
“We contacted her this morning to let her know we do not have her pet and she was the victim of unscrupulous people trying to steal from vulnerable people,” Cherie Wachter wrote in a statement.
Wachter, a spokeswoman for the Humane Society of Broward County said Tuesday that another victim showed up at the shelter to look for his lost dog.
“One person even said that the caller ID showed it was the shelter calling. We have since learned that your phone number can be manipulated,” Wachter said.
The fraudsters asked the victims to use Venmo or Zelle.
“The Humane Society of Broward County will not ask for money for a surgery if a lost pet is brought in injured,” Wachter said. “If you have lost your pet and are contacted by someone, please be careful.”
Wachter said the pet owners who are offering a reward should pay only after they have their pet back.