von In Buncombe County, North Carolina, pet owners who have lost their pets are falling victim to a new scam that is targeting them. Scammers are pretending to be from the Buncombe County Animal Shelter or animal control, and they are contacting these pet owners either by phone or text. According to WNCT, the scammers claim that they have found the lost pet or that the pet is in need of urgent surgery. They then proceed to ask for money from the unsuspecting victims. In some cases, they even ask the victims to verify a code.
The police believe that these scammers are finding their potential victims online, possibly through platforms such as Facebook and NextDoor. This highlights the importance of being cautious when sharing personal information online and being wary of unsolicited messages or requests for money.
Pet owners in Buncombe County should be aware of this scam and take precautions to protect themselves from falling victim to it. It is always advisable to verify the identity of anyone claiming to be from an official organization before sharing any personal or financial information. If you receive any suspicious messages or requests, it is recommended to report them to the authorities immediately.
This unfortunate situation serves as a reminder of the importance of staying vigilant and informed in order to protect oneself from falling prey to scammers. Hopefully, with increased awareness and caution, pet owners in Buncombe County can avoid becoming victims of these fraudulent schemes.