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| Email scams take advantage of people's kindness.© Savas Keskiner/iStock |
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By now, most of us have come across the standard scam emails notifying us of a bogus inheritance, alerting us to phony lottery winnings, or asking us to adopt an abandoned litter of purebred puppies from Africa. But as these con artists get a little bit more clever, emails are beginning to sound a lot more believable.
In recent months, we have come across a few new scam emails that are targeting animal welfare organizations and donors. They are usually well-written and display professional knowledge of the issue, and make an offer you can't refuse or one that tugs at the heartstrings.
One scam email offers the recipient new veterinary supplies or vehicles. These emails supposedly come from veterinarians whose practices have been given this equipment, but who do not have a need for it. They will then ask only that you pay for shipping. And what non-profit organization wouldn't want free equipment that is often far too expensive to purchase new?
Another scam email claims to come from an animal welfare worker (e.g. Adoption Coordinator, Shelter Manager, etc., sometimes named "Carrie Osborne") whose organization has taken in a litter of abandoned purebred puppies, usually English Bulldogs. They may use the name of a legitimate organization and will announce that they are endorsed by The HSUS/HSI. One of our Animal Advocates, the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS), was recently named (wrongly) in such a scam email.
If you receive a fishy email, you simply want to verify the authenticity of one, or have questions about the organizations we work with around the world, please contact us. If you have been fooled into corresponding with these scammers (please don't do so on purpose!), send us the text—we'll keep it on file.
For more about email scams, what to do if you are a victim, or just want to spread the word, please click here.
