Richmond SPCA warns of scam targeting animal shelters, pet owners

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Animal shelters and pet owners in the Richmond area are experiencing an increase in scams recently.

According to Richmond SPCA, there has been a rise in scams that are targeting animal shelters, as well as pet guardians.

The scammers are targeting pet owners who have posted lost pet flyers online by posing as animal shelter staff. They claim the missing pet has been found with serious injuries requiring emergency surgery and request payment through services like Zelle.

The Richmond SPCA said it discovered last week that its phone number was spoofed in the same way. Richmond Animal Care and Control and the Richmond Animal League also reported that their numbers had been used in a similar scam.

Furthermore, in an additional scam involving fake charity profiles active on Venmo -- at least two have been identified that have been impersonating the Richmond SPCA and using their logo as the profile picture. The scammers were soliciting for donations by sending requests for payments.

Richmond SPCA would like to advise the public to verify the identity of the charities before sending donations.