December 7th 2024.
According to city officials, there have been reports of scammers impersonating Denver Animal Shelter staff and contacting individuals who have lost their pets. These scammers are claiming that the pet has been involved in a car accident and requires emergency surgery, and are asking for a $500 deposit to be paid over the phone. This disturbing scam has occurred in Denver before and is now resurfacing in the surrounding areas, as stated by shelter personnel in a recent press release. In addition, the scammers have also been posing as the Dumb Friends League Buddy Center in Castle Rock and requesting an even higher amount of $1,300.
The caller ID for these fraudulent calls appears as 311, which is the city's main information number. This has caused confusion for many individuals who have received these calls, as they may believe it to be a legitimate call from the shelter. It is believed that the scammers are targeting people through popular lost pet social media sites such as PawBoost and 24HourPetconnect. This is a despicable act, taking advantage of individuals who are already going through a difficult and emotional time trying to find their beloved pet. Melanie Sobel, the director of Denver Animal Shelter, expressed her outrage in a statement, stating that it is truly disgusting to exploit someone who is desperate to be reunited with their furry family member.
Fortunately, many pet owners who have been contacted by these scammers have been wary and have not fallen for their deceitful tactics. As Sobel mentioned, it is crucial for individuals to remain vigilant and not be fooled by these scammers. If you have lost your pet, it is recommended to regularly check animal shelters, as they update their websites hourly, and also put up signs in your neighborhood. These steps can greatly increase the chances of being reunited with your pet.
If you do receive a call from someone claiming to be from an animal shelter and demanding money, it is important to hang up and contact the shelter directly. This will ensure that your money is not being taken by fraudsters, and that you are truly speaking to a representative from the shelter. The officials in Denver are urging individuals to be cautious and vigilant, and to sign up for crime news updates to stay informed about these scams. Let's work together to put an end to these deceitful and heartless actions.
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