BALTIMORE, May 20, 2025 — Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown issued a consumer alert today, warning residents of a scam targeting pet owners desperate to reunite with lost animals. Scammers, posing as employees of reputable shelters like the Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter (BARCS), Maryland SPCA, and Talbot Humane, exploit owners’ distress by demanding payments for alleged medical care for injured pets. One victim lost $2,600 before realizing the fraud.
The scam begins with scammers identifying pet owners through lost pet ads on social media. Using caller ID spoofing, they make calls appear to come from legitimate shelters. Claiming the pet is injured, they pressure owners to send immediate payments via apps like Zelle, Cash App, Venmo, or PayPal, threatening to withhold care otherwise. In some cases, victims grew suspicious when scammers couldn’t provide details like a pet’s microchip number or photographic evidence.
“Shelters generally do not request payments over the phone or through money transfer apps,” the Attorney General’s office noted. BARCS has confirmed they never solicit payments by phone and urges reporting suspicious calls to info@BARCS.org. The Maryland Office of the Attorney General provides clear steps to avoid falling victim to this scam.
To protect against the fraud, officials recommend not sending money through transfer apps to alleged shelter representatives. Pet owners should verify callers by asking for specific pet details and contact shelters directly through official channels. Suspected scams should be reported to the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division at 410-528-8662 or the Federal Trade Commission. Additional resources are available at www.marylandattorneygeneral.gov.
BARCS, Maryland SPCA, and Talbot Humane are among the state’s most trusted animal welfare organizations, making their impersonation especially insidious. These shelters rely on established protocols, such as in-person verification or official payment systems, to ensure transparency. The scam’s reliance on untraceable payment apps highlights the need for caution when handling urgent financial requests.
The Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division continues to monitor reports of this scam, encouraging victims to come forward. By publicizing the alert, authorities aim to disrupt the scam’s spread and protect Maryland’s pet owners from financial and emotional harm. Residents are reminded to stay vigilant and verify any claims about their missing pets through trusted channels.
