Web Desk
PORTLAND, Ore. — The Oregon Humane Society (OHS) is alerting pet owners about a phone scam exploiting those searching for lost animals.
Fraudsters pose as OHS representatives, falsely claiming they have found the missing pet but require payment for medical care.
These scammers use “spoofing” techniques to mimic the Oregon Humane Society’s official phone number.
As a result, caller IDs may display the call as if it is genuinely from OHS, making it seem more believable.
“This scam targets distressed pet owners, making it particularly cruel,” OHS stated in a recent press release.
To avoid falling victim, OHS advises pet owners to hang up on suspicious callers and contact them directly at 503-285-7722 to confirm if their pet has been found or report the scam.
Caller ID spoofing only affects incoming calls. Dialing 503-285-7722 from your own phone ensures you connect with the legitimate Oregon Humane Society, even if the suspicious call appeared to come from the same number.
While OHS does accept phone payments, they only do so for pre-approved medical services requested by the pet owner.
They do not accept payments via Zelle or Venmo. Any request for these payment methods should be treated as a red flag.
OHS has reported the scam to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and urges the community to stay vigilant.
