Warning to local residents

ESCAMBIA ⁣COUNTY, Fla.– The ​Escambia County Department of Animal⁣ Welfare has issued a cautionary notice to the community about a fraudulent text message scheme aimed at ⁤pet owners.

The Nature of ‌the Scam

The department ‌reports‌ that ‌residents are receiving deceptive messages from individuals impersonating Animal Welfare staff, claiming they‍ have found lost pets.

A Call for Caution

These‍ messages typically instruct ⁢pet⁤ owners​ to send a verification code in order to reclaim their animals.‌ “Do not respond ⁣to these fraudulent texts,”⁣ advised the department. “They are not legitimate and‌ have no affiliation ​with Escambia County Animal Welfare.”

Proper Protocol for Reuniting with Lost‌ Pets

In genuine ‍cases where an animal is found, owners⁣ will usually be contacted via phone, ⁢email, or traditional mail by Animal⁤ Welfare officials.They‍ will then ⁢need to visit the shelter in person to confirm ownership.

No‍ Digital Payments Required

“Animal‌ Welfare personnel will never request payment through digital means for retrieving a pet or‍ accessing personal information,” emphasized the ​department. “Any redemption fees ⁢will be ‌calculated during your visit and must be paid on-site.”

Additonal Resources Available

You can ‍find detailed information about animal welfare service fees on our​ website.

If ⁢Your ⁣Pet‌ is ‍Missing…

If you find‌ yourself searching for a lost pet, ⁢please visit 24petconnect.com. Enter your zip ‍code and⁢ select ‍“Escambia County ⁣florida Animal Services” from the options provided.

Stay Informed ⁤About Scams

The Federal Trade Commission⁣ (FTC) offers resources regarding verification code scams on ⁣their website.To report any scams or fraudulent activities online,please​ go⁢ to reportfraud.ftc.gov.