Have you lost your pet? Wake County Animal Center says don’t fall for this scam.

Distraught over the disappearance of a beloved pet?

The Wake County Animal Center is warning people whose cat or dog has gone missing not to fall for a scam that’s already swindled one local cat owner.

How the scam works

The scammer contacts anxious pet owners who’ve posted about their missing pets on social media. They find the pet owners’ phone numbers and calls them after normal business hours pretending to work for the Wake County Animal Center, according to a county news release.

The scammer can even make the phone number the fake employee is calling from show up as the Animal Center’s number on Caller ID.

The owner is told the center has their pet, but it needs emergency surgery and that they should end money via electronic payment systems to pay for it.

“We know at least one cat owner has fallen victim to this scam artist who is preying on people when they are most vulnerable,” said Susan Evans, vice chair of the Wake County Board of Commissioners. “We don’t want this predator to take advantage of anyone else, so we’re spreading awareness about this scam countywide.”

How the real Animal Center notifies lost pet owners

The Wake County Animal Center does call people when pets come into the center with a microchip that has contact information.

But these calls take place during regular business hours, and “staff will never ask for electronic payment of any kind,” the release stated. The center only takes cash, check or credit cards, and in person.

“This is a heartbreaking situation for people who just want to find their beloved missing pets,” Animal Services Director Dr. Jennifer Federico said in the release. “We encourage the community to help us protect the owners of lost pets by sharing word of this terrible scam with colleagues, friends and family.”

Anyone who may have been duped by the scam can contact the Wake County Sheriff’s Office or their local law enforcement agency.