The New Pet Scam You Need to Know About

Scammers are preying on lost-pet owners — here’s how to protect yourself.

Imagine this: your dog slips out of the backyard. You panic, post on Facebook, slap up flyers, maybe even list it on Craigslist or Nextdoor. Then, your phone buzzes. A woman named “Tracy” says her neighbor has your dog. Relief floods in. Finally, an answer!

But then comes the sting: “Send $50 through Cash App and I’ll give you the address.”

You pay. Minutes, hours, a day later… nothing. No dog. No neighbor. Just silence.

This isn’t a one-off story. It’s a growing scam that targets pet owners at their most vulnerable moment — when their furry family member is missing.

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How the Scam Works

1. Scammers scan social media and pet-finder sites for posts like “Lost Dog in Lynchburg” or “Missing Cat near Main Street.”
2. They scrape phone numbers and emails from lost-pet posters, Craigslist ads, and Facebook groups.
3. They contact owners using emotional hooks: “My neighbor has your dog,” “I saw your pet near my yard,” or “We picked him up.”
4. They demand a small ransom via Cash App, Venmo, or gift cards — just enough to seem believable, just low enough that desperate owners will pay.
5. Once money is sent, the scammer vanishes.

Who They Target

• Anyone posting publicly about a missing pet
• People who show high emotion in their posts (“our baby is missing”)
• Elderly owners, who are often less familiar with digital fraud
• Families with kids, who will do anything to get their dog or cat back quickly

Red Flags to Watch For

• Someone demands payment before proof of your pet
• They won’t meet in person or video call to show the animal
• The story involves a vague “neighbor” or “friend” who supposedly has your pet
• Requests for Cash App, Venmo, Zelle, or gift cards instead of in-person return

How to Protect Yourself

• Never pay upfront for your pet’s return.
• Ask for a photo of your pet with something specific (today’s newspaper, a tennis ball, etc.).
• Meet in person at a safe public place — never send money online.
• Report scam attempts to local police and the FTC.

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Why This Matters

Nearly every American family has a pet. That means nearly every family is a potential target. These scammers aren’t just stealing money — they’re exploiting love, loyalty, and grief.

The next time you see a lost-pet post, share this warning. Because the best defense against scammers is awareness.

 At Christian Action Network, we’ve been sounding the alarm on scams targeting the elderly, children, and families. Now, even our pets are being used as emotional bait. We’ll keep exposing the tactics — but we need your help sharing the word.

Sign our Stop Scams Now petition where we are calling for the creation of a Federal Anti-Scam Bureau.

If you want to protect your family (and your pets) from the next scam, make sure you’re subscribed to Majority Report so you don’t miss future alerts.

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