When an owner loses their pet they will do everything in their power to try and get their beloved friend back home safely. A big part of this includes promoting the fact that the pet is missing through mediums such as 'missing' posters, social media sites (Twitter and Facebook) and by raising awareness from door-to-door with the local people of the area. This active and open promotion of the missing pet inadvertently alerts heartless people whose only aim is to make some money as quick as possible.
Owners who have lost their pet will usually be offering a reward for the safe return of their companion. A common fraudulent tactic used by miscreants is what is known as the 'pay-first' method. The person will phone or email the owner saying that they have their pet and then will ask to be given the reward first before the pet is returned. If the owner refuses then the wrongdoer may threaten to harm the pet in order to get the fragile owners to pay; this is essentially demanding a ransom and so is a serious offence.
Another way in which deceitful people will try to get money is by suggesting that they have found the pet in another city. They will ask the owner to send them money for a plane or train ticket so that the pet can be sent home safely. There are many excuses that these callous people use for finding a lost pet in another part of the country. A common way of fooling vulnerable pet owners is to pretend to have a job role that includes a lot of travel, such as a long-distance truck driver or a member of the cabin crew of a plane.
Of course, many fraudulent people work together to make sure that they can achieve their desired result of getting money. Fabricating the supposed find of a lost pet is no different and sometimes two people will both be in on the act in order to confuse and exploit the brittle mind-set of the owner. A common 'joint-venture' involves the first of a pair ringing the owner of the lost pet and suggesting that they have the animal. After they have spoken to the owner enough to get information about the pet, they will then apologise saying that it isn't the right pet. Shortly after the accomplice will phone the owner with all the correct details given to them from their partner.
Whilst many of these scams may seem easy to spot and not be duped by, it is important to remember that pet owners who have lost their animal will not be thinking straight and so such fabrications are easy to fall for.
Head to our website to see our fantastic range of pet insurance policies. For every quote we make online we'll donate 50p to an animal charity with the goal of donating a million pound to animal charities by the end of 2012. Keep up to date with all things Animal Friends related on our Feel Good Park Facebook page. For every 'like' we receive we'll donate
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