Public alert: Scam targeting pet owners using Richmond SPCA spoofed numbers

Richmond-area pet guardians have received fraudulent telephone calls that appear to come from the Richmond SPCA’s phone number. These calls were not made by the Richmond SPCA and are part of a scam to trick vulnerable pet guardians whose pets have been missing into sending money. In recent months, other local animal shelters have gotten similar reports of attempted scams using their own numbers.

The scam involves individuals who have recently lost a pet being contacted by someone impersonating the Richmond SPCA. These individuals are falsely informed that their pets have been found injured and that the pets require emergency surgery, which the individuals are asked to pay for over a payment platform such as Zelle. In all cases, these unsuspecting individuals’ animals were never in our care, and the stories they were told were fabricated.

The Richmond SPCA would never ask for payment in this manner. This malicious scheme is being carried out by someone spoofing our phone number.

We are deeply troubled by the scammers’ attempts to defraud people, particularly when they are desperately searching for their beloved missing pets.

If you receive a call matching this description, where someone impersonating the Richmond SPCA or another shelter has demanded money to provide surgery to an injured pet, please:

• Hang up.
• Do not send any money.

If you have been defrauded, immediately contact your local police precinct to file a report.

If you are unsure whether a call appearing to be from the Richmond SPCA is legitimate, hang up and call us directly.

Please share this information to help others avoid being victimized by this scam.

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