The City of Minneapolis issued a warning on Thursday alerting the public to an individual impersonating an animal control officer. Minneapolis Animal Care and Control (MACC) became aware of a fraudulent scheme in which pet owners are receiving calls from both MACC’s official phone number and various random phone numbers.

Recipients of these calls are being pressured to make a payment of $1,500 for alleged emergency surgery for their pet, which is purportedly being held at MACC, as outlined in the official statement.

MACC has explicitly clarified that genuine Minneapolis animal control officers will never request payment, decline to accept fees or citations, and always carry official identification issued by the city.

As well as this, it’s essential to maintain a cautious and vigilant mindset in various aspects of your life, whether online, over the phone, or in person. A primary rule of thumb is to approach unsolicited offers and requests with skepticism, especially if they seem too good to be true. Prioritize research before making financial decisions, checking the legitimacy of entities involved, and looking for reviews or complaints. Remember, sometimes people are more susceptible to being scammed when emotions are involved, which is perhaps why pets are being targetted.

The City of Minneapolis encourages citizens to promptly report any suspicions of such scams by reaching out to Minneapolis 311.