We've seen a lot of scams come through Amarillo recently. There are constant scams where the scammer pretends to be law enforcement and demands Bitcoin.  Letters have been mailed out to entice people to give up their hard-earned money. Now, they're targeting pet owners in the Texas panhandle.

New Scam Targeting Pet Owners In Amarillo

The Amarillo Police Department shared information earlier today about a new scam hitting our area targeting pet owners. The setup involved a scammer pretending to be from "Animal Control".

The scammer tells their intended victim that they've found the individual's dog. Then, they progress to asking for a "PIN". Inevitably the conversation is going to circle around to them asking you to pay to get the imaginary dog back. Don't fall for this.

What To Watch Out For In New Scam Hitting Amarillo

One of the things that stuck out to me was that they claimed to be "Animal Control". I've only ever heard of Animal Management and Welfare referred to as exactly that. I don't remember seeing "Animal Control" ever used in an official capacity.

A big thing to keep in mind, according to the information released this afternoon, is that you're not going to be asked to pay to get your pet back via text. You might be contacted by Animal Management and Welfare regarding your pet, but they aren't going to demand payment via text.

The Amarillo Police Department also reminds everyone that you can always call Animal Management and Welfare and verify the information for yourself if you have any questions or suspicions. Also, if you have unfortunately lost your pet, you can always visit the Animal Management and Welfare office on South Osage yourself.

Unfortunately, we've got to be on our toes. Scammers are getting more and more creative with their attempts to separate us from our money.

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