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OC officials warn of scam calls targeting pet owners for payments
Dogs playing at the Laguna Beach Dog Park. Orange County officials are warning of recent scam calls targeting pet owners.
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Allen J. Schaben
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Getty Images
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Topline:
Orange County officials are warning Friday of a scam targeting owners of lost pets that claim their animal was injured and they need payment for their release.
How it works: A pet owner may get a call from a person claiming to be from the Orange County Sheriff’s Department or a similar agency, warning that their animal has been hit by a car or suffered a medical emergency.
The caller claims the animal has been treated by a vet and is recovering, according to officials, but the owner needs to pay the medical costs before the pet can go home. The scam typically pushes for payment through Zelle or Venmo.
What to do: Do not send any money if you get a suspicious call like this.
When in doubt, contact the agency the caller was claiming to be from by using the official website.
You can report scams to the Orange County Sheriff's Department non-emergency line at (949) 770-6011. But the best way to avoid scam calls is by not answering unknown numbers, according to county officials.
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What officials say: Lisa Lebron Flores, a Mission Viejo Police Services crime prevention specialist, said this scam, like many others, is designed to stir up people’s emotions and prompt a quick response.
“We want residents to remember that payments not made on an official website that are made with gift cards, via apps or other means, which are not recognized, are red flags,” she said in a statement.
Go deeper: How to perform for adoptable pets at the Mission Viejo animal shelter
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