DELMARVA – Pet owners across Delmarva are being cautioned about a scam where callers falsely claim a pet was hurt and demand immediate payment to cover emergency costs. Scammers contact people by phone or text, pretending to be staff from local animal shelters like the SPCA or humane societies on Delmarva. They tell owners their pet was hit by a car and insist they pay $500 right away to save the animal. The callers provide instructions for payment, often requesting cash, gift cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency, or payments through apps — methods that quickly get money into scammers’ hands and make recovery difficult.
If you are home with your pet, you’ll likely recognize the scam immediately. If not, experts advise verifying by contacting the shelter directly using an official phone number found independently. Do not trust numbers or payment methods given by the caller.
Residents who believe they have encountered this scam or similar fraud are encouraged to report it to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Anyone who has already sent money to scammers should contact their bank or payment provider as soon as possible to attempt to stop the payment. Delmarva pet owners are urged to stay vigilant and protect their furry family members from these fraudulent schemes.
