Episode Transcript
[00:00:00] Speaker A: Hey, folks, it's Miles. And welcome back to behind the Scams, the podcast that digs into the dirty tricks, digital deception, and downright heartless frauds that too many people still fall victim to.
Today's episode is a tough one because it involves something close to home for a lot of us, our pets.
We're talking about the stolen pet scam, a cruel con where scammers prey on people already going through the emotional rollercoaster of losing a beloved dog or cat.
They watch for lost pet flyers, comb social media, and then pretend they've found your furry friend, only to demand money for their return.
And just like that, you're not only heartbroken, you're scammed.
We'll break down exactly how it works, why it's so effective, and what you can do to protect yourself or someone you care about from getting hit twice.
Once by loss and once by fraud.
Let's get into it.
[00:01:02] Speaker B: Thank you, Miles. Welcome back to behind the Scams. My name's sue, your host for today's episode. I'm joined, as always, by my co host and my wonderful husband, Nick.
[00:01:12] Speaker C: Thanks, Sue. You know, it's. It really does feel like we've got another incredibly vital episode on deck for our listeners today, doesn't it?
One that really.
It cuts deep.
[00:01:25] Speaker B: I think it absolutely does, Nick. I mean, when we talk about scams, we often think about financial ones, but this one, this one just feels particularly cruel because it targets something so. So personal.
We're talking about the lost pet scam today, and it's just. It's heartbreaking.
[00:01:46] Speaker C: Heartbreaking is the word, Sue.
It's. It's one of those insidious types of fraud that really, you know, they really leverage pure, pure emotion, pure desperation. People, they just want their beloved pets back. And these scammers, they just. They jump right on that. Sadly, it's. It's a tough one to talk about, but it's crucial. Sue, this scam really hits home for you and I. Since we have two wonderful fur babies that we love, we do everything we can to protect them. Why?
Because they are like family to us.
[00:02:27] Speaker B: You know, Nick, what really gets me about this type of scam, the lost pet scam, is just how utterly cruel it is. I mean, it's not just about losing money, right? It's. It's really preying on people's deepest, most vulnerable emotions, their love for their animals. How do these scams even, like, typically start? What's the. What's the general blueprint for them?
[00:02:52] Speaker C: Oh, sue, you hit the nail on the Head. It's absolutely, you know, it's about leveraging pure, pure emotional distress.
And, and that's what makes it so, so insidious, so, so hard to, to deal with. Generally how they work, you know, they usually start when someone's pet goes missing, right? The owner, they're already in a state of panic. You know, they're posting on social media, they're putting up flyers, they're doing, you know, everything.
Everything they can to, to try and locate their beloved animal. And, and then the scammer, they swoop in. They often monitor these lost pet posts, actually, which is just, you know, it's incredibly devious.
[00:03:39] Speaker B: So they're actively, like, searching for people who are already in a desperate situation. That's just.
It's chilling, honestly. So once they find these posts, how do they, how do they actually make contact? And what's their goal once they do?
[00:03:58] Speaker C: Yeah, exactly. They're looking for that vulnerability.
The contact usually comes, like, out of the blue.
It could be a phone call, a text message, sometimes even an email. Right. And. And it's always, always urgent.
They'll claim, they'll claim they've found the pet or they know someone who has, or that the pet is in some kind of, you know, distress or, or has been injured. The goal, the goal is always to extract money, obviously, often under the guise of emergency veterinary care, transportation fees, or even, you know, a reward for finding the animal. And, and the unique pain. You know, you mentioned it earlier, sue, it's. It's that double blow. Not only are you dealing with the agony of a lost pet, but then.
Then you're hit with this, this cruel deception and, and the realization that you've just, you know, thrown money away on. On a complete lie. It's. It's just devastating. It really is.
[00:05:06] Speaker B: Wow, that's just. It's just so awful. So they're basically like hijacking that hope that people have, you know, the hope of getting their pet back and turning it into a weapon. And you having spent, what, over 25 years in law enforcement investigating financial crimes as a special agent, I imagine you've seen countless variations of scams, but this one just seems particularly low. Do they specifically target people who are, you know, maybe visibly distressed online?
[00:05:40] Speaker C: Absolutely, they do. And, and you're right, Sue. In my career, you know, as a former special agent investigating financial crimes, I've seen some truly horrible things, but the ones that prey on emotion, they really, really stick with you. Scammers, they're essentially predators. They look for weakness, right? And. And someone publicly Expressing their profound sadness and. And desperation over a lost pet. Well, that's a huge, huge flag for them. They'll often try to, you know, establish a rapport first, sounding very sympathetic, very understanding before.
Before they drop the bomb about needing money.
And.
And they apply immense pressure, immense pressure to act quickly. They know. They know that in a moment of crisis, people's critical thinking skills are. Are often, you know, temporarily impaired. It's. It's a cold, calculated move, for sure.
[00:06:46] Speaker B: You know, hearing all that, Nick, about how they, like, target people when they're at their most vulnerable, it just brings to.
That's.
It's really heartbreaking. It perfectly illustrates what we're talking about. You know, it's about a woman named Chloe. Her mom, unfortunately experienced this really serious medical emergency, right? And as you can imagine, Chloe, her whole family, they were just completely, like, caught up in the stress and the chaos of dealing with all that.
And in the middle of all this, this intense, awful situation, during one evening, her mother's beloved cat, Percy, he. He just slipped out, just disappeared. Like, right when they were already. Already under so much pressure. Can you, like, even imagine that? The additional layer of anxiety? And despite, you know, everything Chloe and her family did, I mean, they must have been absolutely frantic, putting up signs, calling shelters, you know, everything you'd expect pet owner to do. Percy just. He just didn't come back after several days. It's. It's just awful to think about, isn't it?
[00:08:03] Speaker C: Yeah. You know, sue, it's. It's absolutely heartbreaking.
And. And that's exactly, you know, what these scammers, they. They look for that vulnerability, that moment of sheer desperation. I mean, here's Chloe already under immense stress, and. And then Percy, her mom's beloved cat, is just gone.
And. And then this is where the real cruelty of the scam kicks in. You know, a few days after Percy goes missing, Chloe, she receives, you know, what seems like the best possible news.
She gets a call.
And. And the person on the other end, they claim to be from the Tampa Bay Humane Society.
Now, if you're in that situation, you're just. You're clinging to any hope, right? So this call, it feels like a godsend. But here's the thing. It. It wasn't the Humane Society. It was.
It was a scammer, an absolute predator, really.
And. And this person, they totally fabricate this story, this awful, awful lie. They tell Chloe that Percy, her mom's cat, was.
He was hit by a car, and. And that he's injured, critically injured, and. And needs Emergency surgery immediately. You know, it's. It's just so devastating because they're not just preying on the loss of the pet, but. But also this incredibly sensitive, delicate situation the family is already in. I've seen, you know, so many variations of this during my career where scammers just wait. They wait for that perfect, perfect moment of distress.
They. They know exactly what buttons to push. You know, they. They really, really understand human psychology.
It's. It's chilling, actually.
This. This set up, the fabricated story, the urgency, it's all designed to just, like, completely override critical thinking.
[00:10:11] Speaker B: Oh, wow, Nick. So they're already, like, you know, reeling from Chloe's mom's medical emergency, and now this devastating news about Percy. I mean, it just sounds like, you know, the absolute worst possible time to be hit with something like this. And then they're asked for money. $2,000 for emergency surgery.
That's. That's a lot of money to, you know, just pull together quickly, especially when you're already in such a state of distress.
What. What happened next? I mean, did they just, like, immediately pay it?
[00:10:46] Speaker C: Yeah, they. They did sue. And. And this is where the scammers, they just, you know, they really, really capitalize on that raw emotion, that. That utter desperation. I mean, they're not just asking for money, right? They're. They're exploiting the situation, you know, where people are just.
Their judgment is. Is totally clouded by fear and hope. From my, you know, my time as a special agent investigating financial crimes, I can tell you this is like a classic, classic tactic. Scammers, they really understand that when people are under extreme emotional duress, their ability to, like, logically process information, to. To question things, it just. It just goes out the window. You know, it's. It's bypassed completely. They create this. This impossible choice, right?
Pay the money now or, you know, Percy or your beloved pet might. Might die. And. And it's. It's framed with such urgency, like, he needs surgery right now. There's no time to, you know, to really think, to verify, to call the Humane Society back to. To ask for more details. It's just. It's just this immediate pressure to act. They often, you know, demand, like, payments that are hard to trace to, like, gift cards or wire transfers, which, you know, they did here with that 2000 fee. It's.
It's just so effective because, you know, you're not thinking, is this a scam? You're thinking, how do I save my pet? That's. That's the only thought really. Really dominating Your mind in that moment, and. And it's. It's truly, truly evil, if you ask me.
[00:12:43] Speaker B: So they paid the $2,000. Nick, what happened next? Did they hear anything about Percy's surgery or. Or how he was doing?
[00:12:52] Speaker C: Yeah, they. They did, Sue. And. And this is where it just gets so. So heartbreaking. You know, they. They paid the money. They. They waited for the update, waited for the call for the good news about Percy, and then nothing. Crickets, you know, just. Just silence. No updates, no calls back. No.
No news about Percy's. His condition, his surgery. The phone just. Just stayed silent. And. And that. That hope, it just started to. To fade. Really?
[00:13:27] Speaker B: Oh, no. So they just never heard back? That's just gut wrenching. I mean, after all that desperate hope and. And the money, it just vanished.
[00:13:39] Speaker C: Exactly. And that's. That's when it slowly, painfully started to sink in. That. That awful, awful feeling in your gut, you know, that something was just. Just profoundly wrong here. It wasn't the Humane Society. It was. It was a scam.
And. And Percy. Well, Percy was still lost. It's. It's truly, truly devastating. Think about it, right? They're already, like you said, just in this incredibly vulnerable state because of the medical emergency with Chloe's mom.
And. And then they have this glimmer of hope, this.
This chance that Percy's okay, that he's coming home, and then. And then that hope is just. It's just crushed and. And replaced with this sickening realization that they've been.
They've been completely exploited.
It's.
It's a really, really brutal blow.
[00:14:40] Speaker B: I can't even imagine. I mean, on top of everything else, their mom's medical emergency and then this. It's like a double blow, isn't it? The hope of Percy coming back just ripped away. And then the realization they've been taken advantage of.
How do you even begin to process that kind of betrayal, Nick? Especially when it preys on something so. So personal, like. Like a lost pet.
[00:15:07] Speaker C: You're right, Sue. It's. It's absolutely devastating. I've seen how scammers really, really aim for that emotional jugular. It's not just about the money, Sue. It's. It's about breaking down people's trust, about really twisting their deepest affections against them. And. And with lost pets, it's. It's just.
It's just pure emotional cruelty because, you know, the pet is often a member of the family, like a furry child. You know, the betrayal runs so.
So deep. It leaves you, like, not just feeling foolish. For falling for it. But, but totally gutted by the fact that someone would prey on such a. A pure, pure love.
And, and that added layer of stress, that betrayal, while you're already going through something else, it's.
It's just incomprehensible to most decent people. It's. It's a profound, profound wound.
And, and it's a lesson for us all really, really to be careful.
[00:16:17] Speaker B: Nick, you've just highlighted how utterly devastating these scams are, especially because they prey on such, you know, deep, deep emotional connections. It's not just about the money. It's the betrayal.
But, but how do these scammers actually do it? Like, how do they even get the pet's name or know that a pet is lost? How do they operate this kind of. Of playbook?
[00:16:43] Speaker C: That's, That's a really, really great question, Sue. And, and it gets right to the heart of how sophisticated, you know, some of these, these operations can be. It's. It's not, you know, just. Just random guessing.
These scammers, they're. They're often surprisingly well, well informed. And, and from my experience, I've seen. I've seen patterns emerge. They, they really, really leverage readily available information. You know, so think about it.
When someone loses a pet, what's. What's one of the first things they do?
They, they post online, right? Social media, neighborhood groups, lost pet forums, local community pages.
They'll. They'll put up posters sometimes with, with all the details. The pet's name, Percy, in this case, the breed a picture, contact numbers. Even. Even the general area where they were lost.
All of that, that vital, vital information, you know, it's. It's out there. And, and these scammers, they. They actively, actively monitor these posts.
[00:18:00] Speaker B: Oh, so they're literally just lurking on lost pet posts, waiting for an opportunity? That's so creepy.
[00:18:07] Speaker C: Exactly. Sue. They're. They're like.
They're like digital vultures. You know, they. They see that a pet is lost, they grab the details and then. And then they lie in wait.
And, and the timing, the timing is crucial, right? They often strike when the victim, like Chloe's family, is already, like, at their most desperate point. They've been searching for days. They're exhausted. They're emotionally drained.
Maybe they've just had, you know, another.
Another false lead. That's when. When the emotional defenses are. Are really, really low. As a, as a licensed private investigator, I, I always tell people that. That scammers are. Are really, really masters of. Of psychological manipulation.
They. They understand human vulnerability. They they know that when you're desperate, when you're feeling guilty, when you're feeling, like, just that overwhelming love for your pet, you're not thinking clearly, right? Your. Your rational brain, it just. It just takes a back seat to.
To your emotions.
They. They understand that, so they target that.
[00:19:26] Speaker B: Window of extreme stress and. And desperation. It's almost like they're profiling their victims, aren't they? Like they're looking for that specific emotional state. State.
[00:19:37] Speaker C: Absolutely. You're. You're totally right, Sue. It's. It's a form of.
Of profiling, but.
But it's more like opportunity targeting.
They're not, you know, they're not creating the distress. They're. They're just waiting for it to be there, and then they exploit it. They. They know, you know, that that strong bond people have with their pets and is. Is a powerful motivator, and. And they'll. They'll, like, really, really lean into that. They'll use language that implies urgency, that suggests dire consequences if you don't act immediately. For instance, in Percy's case, the hit by a car detail, right, that's designed to. To just evoke immediate panic, immediate action.
You don't. You don't stop to question, you don't stop to verify when. When your pet's life is. Is supposedly on the line. I constantly see this tactic across so. So many different types of scams. It's always about creating that artificial sense of. Of extreme. Extreme urgency.
They want to prevent you from. From. From pausing, from thinking, from checking things out.
[00:20:59] Speaker B: It's so destructive how they use that urgency, isn't it? Like, your pet needs emergency surgery now pay up. It totally bypasses any critical thinking. And the fact that they posed as the Humane Society, that adds another layer of. Of perceived authority and trust, doesn't it?
[00:21:19] Speaker C: Oh, absolutely, Sue. You're. You're spot on.
Impersonating a trusted organization like the Humane Society or an animal shelter or even, you know, a vet clinic. It adds an immediate, immediate layer of legitimacy.
People generally trust these organizations, so when the call comes in, you know, identifying themselves as such, it. It lowers the victim's guard. It. It makes the story, you know, even if it's. Even if it's wildly dramatic, it makes it sound.
Sound more plausible. And. And they'll often, like, have just enough details to make it convincing, but not. Not too many that you can easily verify. They might say, we found a cat matching Percy's description, or he was found near.
Near your address, or he has. He has this distinguishing mark just. Just Enough to make you think, oh, my gosh, this. This must be Percy. And. And they. They count on that. That emotional rush that. That hope overpowering. Any. Any logical. Logical questioning. It's. It's a truly, truly cold, cold calculation on their part, Nick.
[00:22:41] Speaker B: That's, that's incredibly insightful, and it's, you know, it's pretty chilling to hear how they exploit such a vulnerable moment. But, you know, for our listeners, what are the concrete red flags they should be looking for? Like, if someone gets a call or a message, what are those undeniable signs that this is, in fact, a scam and not a legitimate rescue? You. You've seen so much of this, you know, through your work investigating crimes.
[00:23:10] Speaker C: Oh, that's. That's a really, really important question, sue, because, you know, knowing these red flags, it's. It's your first line of. Of defense. I always, always advise people to be skeptical. Right? Especially when emotions are high.
The first and, and probably the biggest red flag, okay, is.
Is the demand for. For unusual payment methods. I mean, legitimate organizations like, like humane societies or vet clinics, they're not going to. They're not going to ask for gift cards, okay? They're not going to ask for.
For wire transfers to, to an individual's account.
They won't ask for cryptocurrency or payment through. Through, like, untraceable apps. If they're demanding anything other than, you know, a standard credit card payment or, or a check or a direct transfer to their official verifiable account, that's. That's a huge, huge warning sign.
[00:24:17] Speaker B: So if someone says, go buy me a bunch of Google Play cards to save your cat, that's an immediate no go.
[00:24:24] Speaker C: Exactly. That's. That's an immediate, like, hard stop. Red flag. Red flag. Red flag. Another.
Another major red flag, sue, is. Is excessive urgency. You know, they'll. They'll pressure you to make a decision right now. Like, your pet needs emergency surgery immediately, and if you don't pay in the next 10 minutes, we can't save them.
That. That kind of, like, extreme time pressure. It's. It's designed to bypass your rational thought process. You know, they don't want you to. To pause, to think, to. To verify anything. Legitimate organizations understand that. That pet owners need a moment, you know, to process information, to. To make arrangements.
[00:25:15] Speaker B: Oh, that makes so much sense. They don't want you to have time to actually call the real Humane Society, for instance.
[00:25:21] Speaker C: You're. You're right. That's. That's precisely it. And, and that leads to.
To the third critical red flag, a lack of verifiable information.
Like if they can't. Can't give you a physical address for their facility or, or a main phone number that you can.
Can call back and verify independently, not.
Not just the number they called you from.
That's, That's a problem. If they're, if they're vague about the pet's specific details, right? Like they say we have a cat that matches Percy's description, but then they can't. They can't describe any unique markings that weren't in your lost post.
Or, or they won't. They won't send you a current photo or video of your pet in their care, or, or they just flat out refuse to let you come and see your pet before payment. That's. That's incredibly suspicious.
[00:26:23] Speaker B: So if they can't give you specific verifiable details that weren't publicly available, or they won't let you see the pet, then it's a huge warning sign. Even if they say the. They're the Tampa Bay Humane Society.
[00:26:39] Speaker C: Yes, sue, absolutely. And, and this is where you know, a bit of, of proactive thinking comes in. If they say they're like the Tampa Bay Humane Society. Well, Google the official number for the Tampa Bay Humane Society, Call that number, the one you found yourself, and, and ask them if they have your pet, if they called you. If they're asking for money in that way.
Don't, don't just trust the number that's, that's showing up on your caller ID or the one they give you directly. Scammers can, can spoof phone numbers, you know, to make it look like they're calling from a legitimate source. It's, it's like a common tactic I've, I've seen over. Over my years investigating these kinds of financial schemes.
[00:27:32] Speaker B: That's a great point. Always verify independently.
So essentially, unusual payment methods, excessive urgency, and a general lack of verifiable independent information are the big three. It sounds like the key is really to just slow down and question everything.
[00:27:53] Speaker C: Precisely. Sue. You've.
You've summed it up perfectly.
It's. It's all about, like, hitting the pause button. Okay? When, when you're under stress, your brain's natural tendency is, is to react quickly, especially when it comes to, you know, someone you love, like a pet. But. But scammers thrive in that. That environment of urgency and, and emotion.
So if, if something feels off, if, if they're pushing you too hard or, or asking for something unusual, just, Just take a breath. Tell them you need to call them back and then, and then do your independent verification. It's, it's your best defense against these, these predatory tactics.
[00:28:44] Speaker B: Nick, that's, that's incredibly helpful advice on the red flags. It really highlights how these scammers play on our emotions and urgency. But, you know, beyond just spotting the scams, what about, like, proactive steps? As, as a licensed private investigator, what can pet owners do to, to better protect themselves and, and their beloved pets from this kind of heartache in the first place?
Like, what are the legitimate ways to go about searching? And, and what preventative measures should people be taking?
[00:29:22] Speaker C: Oh, that's, that's a fantastic question, Sue. And, and it's where we can really empower pet owners. You know, prevention. It's, it's always, always better than, than trying to fix things after the fact. It's, it's like, it's, you know, preparing for any kind of emergency, really. First point. Okay. Legitimate ways to search for a lost pet. If your pet does go missing, right, Your first action should be to, to immediately contact your local animal shelters, animal control, and any local humane societies.
Call them directly. Don't, don't just search online and call the first number that pops up, because, like we discussed, the scammers can create fake websites or, or Google listings. Use the official phone numbers and addresses. You should, you know, ideally visit these places in person if you can, to, to see if your pet's there. Then, then you want to get the word out, right? Make physical flyers with a clear, clear photo of your pet and, and post them in your neighborhood. And, and this is important. Include your contact information.
But, but be mindful of, like, how much you share.
Also, leverage social media, but with caution. There are often dedicated local lost pet groups on Facebook, for instance, which can be super effective. Post there. But, but again, verify any responses you get.
If someone claims to have your pet.
You know, ask for a very specific, like, recent photo or video that only they could get or, or like a distinct marking that wasn't in your public post.
Don't just rely on a vague description.
[00:31:18] Speaker B: So it's about being proactive with the search, but also still applying that critical thinking to any responses. That makes sense.
[00:31:26] Speaker C: Absolutely. Now, as for verifying organizations, you know, we touched on this a bit, but it bears repeating. If someone claims to be from, like, a humane society or a rescue organization and, and they've got your pet, always verify their legitimacy. Go to their official website, not a link they send you, okay? Look up their main phone number independently and call that number ask for their physical address.
A legitimate organization will have a physical location that you can, you can go to, if not to pick up your pet, then at least to verify they're a real entity. If they, if they refuse to give you an address or, or a verifiable phone number or say you can't come visit, that's a major, major red flag.
And, and this is something I've, I've seen consistently in my 25 years in law enforcement. Legitimate entities are transparent, scammers are not.
[00:32:36] Speaker B: That's really clear. So always independently verify. And what about those preventative measures? Like before a pet even goes missing?
[00:32:44] Speaker C: Yes, this, this is, this is the crux of it, honestly. The single most important preventative measure for any pet owner is, is microchipping your pet. It's, it's a small, harmless chip, okay, that's inserted under their skin, usually between the shoulder blades. It has a unique identification number that can be like, scanned by, by vets and shelters. If your pet gets lost and, and is found, that microchip is their, their permanent id.
It's, it's invaluable. Sue. Our own dogs, you know, we always make sure they are microchipped and the peace of mind, it's, it's just priceless. But here's the, the key. With microchips, you must register that chip number with a national pet recovery database. And, and you have to keep your contact information updated. I mean, it's, it's no good if the chips there, but the phone numbers old or, or the address is wrong. That's, that's like a step many people forget. Also, you know, ensure your pet wears a collar with, with an ID tag that has your current phone number. It's low tech, but it's often the quickest way for someone to contact you if they find your pet.
[00:34:12] Speaker B: So microchip and keep the registration updated and a good old fashioned ID tag. It sounds simple, but I can see how easily those details could be overlooked.
One step I want to point out to our listeners that we personally take is placing Apple airtags on our dog's collars.
They are basically the same thing as having a GPS on your pet's collar. The airtags are small and you can buy a collar tag holder to conceal or disguise the presence of the airtag so scammers don't immediately remove it.
[00:34:48] Speaker C: You're, you're right, Sue. And, and beyond that, simple things like, like making sure your fences are secure, okay? That, that gates are latched, that doors and windows are are closed. Especially if you have like an indoor cat who might, might try to, to sneak out like Percy did. Also have recent clear photos of your pet from different angles. You know, if they do go missing, these photos are, are crucial for, for identification. On posters and online I've, I've seen in my career, you know, photos can, can really make or break a missing person or, or a missing pet case. The clearer the image, the better. These steps, they're, they're not like foolproof guarantees, but they, they dramatically increase your chances of a happy reunion and, and reduce your vulnerability to these, these terrible scams.
[00:35:49] Speaker B: Nick, that's, that's incredibly comprehensive advice on prevention. It's, it's really empowering to know there are things we can do proactively. But let's say despite all these precautions, someone does fall victim to one of these awful scams. It happens, right? What should they do immediately? I mean, who do they contact? And how can we reassure them that, you know, it's not their fault, given how emotionally manipulative these scammers are?
[00:36:22] Speaker C: Oh, sue, that's, that's a crucial point. It really is. I've seen firsthand how, how much shame and embarrassment can, can really paralyze victims after a scam. And, and the first thing I want to say, the absolute first thing is don't, don't feel ashamed, okay? These scammers, they're, they're professionals at manipulation.
They exploit deep, deep emotions and an urgent situations. Anyone, literally anyone can be targeted. So, so please, if this happens, don't blame yourself. Now as for what to do immediately, your first, first step should be to, to report it. You've got to like, report it to the proper authorities first.
Contact your local law enforcement. I mean, even if they can't recover your money or like find the scammer immediately, it's important to create a police report.
This documentation is essential and it helps law enforcement track these patterns.
It's something we, we always stress during my years in law enforcement. Every report helps build a bigger picture. Second, you should report it to the Federal Trade Commission, okay? That's the ftc. They have a specific portal for reporting scams. And, and it's invaluable for, for tracking these incidents on a national level. Go to report fraud.ftc.gov they collect all this data and it helps them identify trends, issue warnings, and coordinate with law enforcement agencies.
And if you paid by credit card or debit card or even a bank transfer, immediately contact your bank or credit card company.
Explain that you've been scammed they might be able to, to reverse the transaction. Especially if it's, if it's a recent charge. The sooner you report it to them, the higher your chances of, of getting your money back or, or at least like minimizing the loss. The quicker you act, the better for, for any potential recovery.
[00:38:56] Speaker B: So local police, the FTC and your bank. Got it. Is there like anything else that people should be aware of after they've been scammed, maybe to prevent further issues?
[00:39:08] Speaker C: Yes. Oh yes, that's a great comment. It's, it's, it's super important to, to be aware of follow up scams. Scammers, they often like share lists of, of previous victims. So if you've been scammed once, you might be targeted again by, by someone claiming to be like a recovery service or, or an investigator who can get your money back for a fee. Don't, don't fall for that. Okay? These are, they're just usually additional scams trying to, to double dip really legit. Legitimate law enforcement or, or recovery services won't ask you for upfront payments to recover funds. Also, change any passwords that might have been compromised, especially if you like clicked on any links or, or provided any personal information to the scammer. Be extra vigilant with, with your email or any, any other communication channels they used.
Just, just be on high alert for, for any suspicious activity related to your accounts.
And you know, finally I always say talk about it. Tell your friends, your family, your community.
Sharing your experience helps helps raise awareness and prevents others from falling victim to.
It's like a way to turn a negative experience into a positive learning opportunity for, for everyone else. Really.
[00:40:53] Speaker B: Wow, Nick, that was, that was incredibly vital information. Seriously. I mean, from understanding how these scams work with like Percy's story to recognizing the red flags and then you know, what to do if God forbid, you actually fall victim.
It's just so clear that these lost pet scams, they, they really hit us where we're most vulnerable, right? Our, our emotions, our, our love for our pets.
[00:41:24] Speaker C: You're absolutely right, Sue. And, and I think that's, that's really the, the key takeaway here for, for our listeners, right? These criminals, they, they prey on like pure desperation and, and that deep emotional bond we have with our, our animals.
As a, as a licensed private investigator, I've seen it time and time again how, how quick people are to act when their, their beloved pet is, is missing. And, and that's exactly what these scammers bank on that, that immediate emotional surge, you know, to to bypass, like, any logical thinking.
So, so vigilance and, and double checking everything, verifying sources, that's, that's like Paramount. Don't, don't rush.
Don't rush into anything. Even though your heart is, is telling you to, to act quickly. Always, always verify. Always. And, and remember, never, never pay by like, gift cards or, or wire transfers. Okay? Those are, they're just like red flags all day long.
[00:42:41] Speaker B: Excellent points, Nick. Truly. I mean, it's about, it's about being informed and taking a breath, I guess, even in the most stressful moments. Thank you so much for shedding light on such a heartbreaking but important topic today.
It's really something our listeners need to be aware of.
[00:43:04] Speaker C: My pleasure, Sue. Always.
It's why we do this, right? To empower people with knowledge. And, you know, if just one person avoids this heartbreaking scam because of what we discussed today, then it's totally worth it.
[00:43:24] Speaker B: Absolutely. And to all our listeners, thank you so much for tuning in to behind the Scenes scams. We truly appreciate you joining us each week as we try to uncover these tricky, deceptive schemes out there. Please, please stay safe out there, stay vigilant, and we'll be back next time with another deep dive into another fascinating world of fraud. Now, Miles, please close out this episode of behind the Scams.
[00:43:57] Speaker A: That's gonna wrap up this episode of behind the Scams.
If there's one thing we hope you take away, it's grief is powerful and scammers know how to weaponize it. If your pet ever goes missing, stay alert, stay skeptical, and never send money to someone you haven't verified, no matter how convincing their story is. For more tips on avoiding scams like this, or to report one you've encountered, head to stampoutscams.org and while you're there, share this episode with a pet owner in your life.
You just might save them from becoming the next victim. I'm Miles signing off.
Until next time, keep your eyes open, your wallet closed, and remember, behind every scam, there's a story.
