Scammers targeting pet owners becoming more common

Mainers, like most Americans, enjoy their pets. Today, sales from the pet food aisle at the local grocery store continue to grow every year.

There are now big-box stores coast to coast dedicated to the sales of pets and pet supplies. Along with the big stores, there are also small, independent, niche pet supply and pet food stores that are run by local merchants, experts in their field.

All of these vendors exist because of our love for pets. Sadly there are scammers out there whose goal is to separate you from your money because of your caring and concern for your pets. The scams are becoming more prevalent. Here are a few tactics to watch out for.

Pet Scam No. 1. When you lose your pet and place an ad in the paper or on the Internet offering a reward, you may get a call from someone who purports to have found your animal. He demands to be paid in advance and may even threaten to harm your pet if the reward is not paid. Do not send money. Contact local law enforcement.

Pet Scam No. 2. Remember, scammers often work in teams of two or more. Never provide a complete description of your lost animal in your ads. A caller may call and say they found a lost cat that may be yours. They then ask for a more complete description of your pet. They then state that they do not have your pet, there is not a match. Then they contact their accomplice with the detailed description you have provided. The second person later calls you with a complete description of your pet and asks for the reward in advance. You will be tempted to pay given this convincing description. Don’t do it.

Pet Scam No. 3. You’ve lost your pet and placed an ad. A “trucker” or “traveling salesperson” calls and says he has your pet. Unfortunately, it was injured and is at the animal clinic with a large medical bill of several hundred or a thousand dollars that must be paid. Just send our “trucker” the money and the pet will be returned. Don’t fall for it.

Pet Scam No. 4. The scammer actually stole your pet and waits for you to place your reward ad. He provides the pet and collects the reward. Proof of this despicable crime may be hard to document.

Pet Scam No. 5 – You are the good Samaritan who found a stray animal. After you place the ad, the bad guys claim to be the “owner.” Their motive is to sell the animal to a research facility. Ask for proof of ownership. Note how the animal reacts to the “owner.” If it is not a warm reunion, investigate more closely. Perhaps ask for copies of veterinarian bills or family pictures with the pet to prove that the animal truly belongs to them.

These are just a few of the pet scams that are out there. There are many more. Here are a few recommendations to keep you and your pet safer from these pet criminals.

. Keep your pet indoors, leashed or in a fenced yard at all times.

. If you lose your animal, give only a general description. Hold some of the description to separate pet scammers from true good Samaritans who contact you.

. Keep your animal licensed and tagged, and consider micro-chipping your animal.

. If you get a call from someone claiming to have your pet, ask to call him back at his number.

. If someone claims to have your pet, have him describe your animal and do not provide any descriptive pet information.

Consumer Forum is a collaboration of the Bangor Daily News and Northeast CONTACT, Maine’s membership-funded nonprofit consumer organization. For help and information write: Consumer Forum, Bangor Daily News, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor 04402-1329.