PACC Issues Alert: Scam Callers Target Pet Owners for Money to “Recover” Lost Pets

Residents of Pima County have reported a recent wave of scam calls impersonating employees from the Pima Animal Care Center (PACC) regarding lost pets. These fraudulent calls originated from what appeared to be official county phone numbers, attempting to deceive residents into providing financial details.

PACC officials issued a warning on Facebook, clarifying that they do not request money from pet owners seeking to reclaim their lost animals in most cases. The scammers falsely claimed that payment was necessary to return the lost pets, exploiting the trust associated with recognized county communication.

This tactic, known as spoofing, manipulates caller ID information to make it seem like a legitimate call is coming from a known source, such as a government agency. Consequently, victims may unknowingly provide credit card numbers or other personal information to the fraudsters.

To combat this issue, PACC urges residents to verify callers’ identities. If someone claims to be a county employee, it’s advisable to ask for their name and state that you’ll return the call after verifying the number through the county’s official website.

A reminder from the Federal Communications Commission emphasizes that legitimate agencies typically send a letter by mail before making any financial requests. Staying vigilant against such scams is crucial to ensuring the safety of personal information and pet ownership.