03/20/2025
A new scam is targeting veterinary clinics and their clients, specifically those whose pets have gone missing. Scammers are taking advantage of the emotional distress experienced by pet owners and using fraudulent tactics to extort money. It's important to be aware of how this scam works and how to prevent from falling victim.
How the Scam Works:
Finding Missing Pet Notices: Scammers monitor online forums, social media groups, and local pet recovery websites for notices about missing pets.
Impersonating the Clinic: Once they find a notice, scammers identify a nearby veterinary clinic and use free, easily accessible software to set up a fake phone number that appears on the caller ID as the clinic's own number.
Contacting the Pet Owner: The scammer calls the pet owner, claiming they have found the missing pet. They build trust by impersonating a representative of the veterinary clinic.
Urgent Payment for Medical Treatment: The scammer tells the pet owner that their pet needs immediate medical attention, often suggesting an expensive surgery or emergency treatment. The scammer pressures the pet owner to make an immediate payment over the phone to cover the cost of treatment.
Extortion: After receiving the payment, the scammer either disappears or continues to fabricate additional medical needs, asking for more money. If the payment is not made, they threaten to "delay" or "cancel" treatment.
If you receive a suspicious call like this, hang up immediately and call the clinic. Do not give out any personal information.