Mission Viejo Animal Services warns pet owners of recent scam

Mission Viejo Animal Services is asking the public to beware of a scam targeting owners of lost pets.

For this new type of scam, a person claiming to be from the Orange County Sheriff's Department or a similar agency calls a pet owner saying the owner's animal was hit by a car or experienced a medical emergency.

The scammer then claims the animal was treated by a veterinarian and is recovering but that payment is required before the animal can be released. In one scenario, the scammer stated that a nonprofit organization would cover a portion of the medical costs, while the remaining balance is the owner's responsibility. The scammer typically requests payment via Zelle or Venmo.

If you receive a suspicious call like this, do not send payment. Always contact the agency claiming to call by using the phone number listed on their official website to verify the information. Remember, the best way to prevent such scams is to refrain from answering unknown numbers.

"Scams target people to create emotion and stir up feelings to get a quick response just as seen in this scam as well as the grandparent scam, outstanding warrant scam, and others that appear to necessitate quick payment and response," said Crime Prevention Specialist Lisa Lebron Flores.

"We want residents to remember that payments not made on an official website that are made with gift cards, via apps or other means, which are not recognized, are red flags."

To report a scam, call the Sheriff's Department's non-emergency line at 949-770-6011.