Online Lost Pet Scams

Losing a pet can be heartbreaking. Unfortunately, scammers sometimes target people whose pets have gone missing. After the pet owner posts publicly about losing their companion, the scammer reaches out and attempts to steal their money.

The scammer may claim:

• They are a pet search service who can help find the pet for a fee.
• They found the pet but need payment for transportation costs.
• The pet has been injured, or is sick, and needs expensive veterinary services.
• They stole the pet and are demanding money for its return.

These scammers rely on the pet owner being desperate to get their companion back, and use emotional manipulation to create a sense of urgency and pressure to act quickly. If proof is requested that they have the pet, they may refuse to provide it, provide only vague details, or send A.I. generated imagery of the animal.

To avoid losing money to a lost pet scam, consumers should:

• Avoid sending money up-front.
• Limit how much specific information about the animal they include in any physical posters or social media posts. These details can be used later to verify if someone really has found the pet.
• Search for any pet search services online, including terms like “scam” or “complaint.” If they are legitimate, they should be contacted using a verified phone number, email, or social media profile – not by responding directly to a message they sent.