Lincoln Animal Control is warning residents about a scam where someone is impersonating one of their officers to try and get pet owners to pay money to have their animal retuned. They say someone is calling pet owners mirroring Animal Control’s phone number. This is after pet owners have recently posted online about a missing pet.
Animal Control officials say the scam begins with pet owners posting online that they have a missing pet. The owner is then contacted online or via text by a person who says they’re an Animal Control Officer.
The person tells the pet owner that they’ve found their pet, but to return it, the pet owner will need to send them money either through a link they’ll share by text or through a cash app. Animal Control says there is never a charge to leave a lost pet report with Animal Control.
If a pet is picked up and taken to Capital Humane Society, there is an impound fee, which is collected in person when you claim your pet and not through a link or cash app. If you believe you are a victim of this scam, please report it to the Lincoln Police Department at 402-441-6000.