There are currently a few active pet sitting/pet professional scams. All are variations of the very common "cashiers check" scam. The basic scam involves someone needing help of some sort from the scam-ee. The scammer sends a cashiers check or money order for an amount in excess of the charge for services. The scam-ee receives the check, cashes it and is then instructed to mail the excess to another individual. (An uncle, a son, a vet, etc.) The check is bad and the scam-ee is now out the entire amount of the cashed check.

Below are the active scams directed at animal lovers and pet professionals and their particulars.

If you receive a different version of this or any other scam please forward it to uspetpros so your fellow pet professionals can be aware of any new developments.

Pet Sitting Services Needed for Family Member Moving to Area	Pet Receiving and Training Prior to Move Into Area	Pet Receiving and Training Prior to Move Into Area 2nd version
Pet Sitting Services Needed for Two Months

In July 2005 professional pet sitters started receiving e-mail inquiries about pet sitting services from a woman named "Anita Bekley ". She claims to be living in the UK and is looking for pet sitting services for her son who will be moving to the the pet sitter's area. She also expresses interest in getting help purchasing a puppy for her son. Once the sitter replies with their rates "Anita" then mentions that she will get a client who owes her money to forward a cashiers check for more than the amount of sitting services and the extra should be sent to her "son" to help with the move.

Sounds easy enough right? WRONG! This is a common scam designed to steal your hard earned money! The sitter deposits the check, mails the extra to the son and possibly purchases a puppy. Then that's the last they hear from the scammer. Nobody ever arrives for pet sitting services, or picks up the puppy. Eventually the sitter is informed that the check they deposited is a fake.

Below is a series of e-mails recently received by Professional Pet Sitters, but it could be modified to apply to any pet care provider. If you receive a similar e-mail ignore it & delete it. If you have received a different version of this Pet Care Inquiry Scam, please forward it to US Pet Pros to be included on this page.

More information on this type of scam can be found at Snopes.com- Cashier Check Scam

First Contact:
Hello,

I am Anita Bekley from oxford Uk.I will like to know if you offer Pet
Sitters/Pet supplies ? My son will be coming to the state and I will
like if someone looked after his pets when his in the state.He has a
Female Puppy,cat and a turtle.so pls do let me know if you are cabable
of handling this and how much I need to pay upfront until I am able to
come join him in the States.you will need to inform me as soon as
possible.I will also like to know if you can get him a male puppy ?

As for the payment I will like to know if you do accept certified
check or international money order for payment for the purchase.

Please make sure you email me at my personal email address which is
anitabek34@...

Hope to hear from you soon.

Thanks,
Anita

Once the sitter replies, usually with questions...
Second Contact:
Hello,

Thanks for your reply.I will like you to give me an estimate of how
much it will cost for Pet Sitting service for my son for 2 months
beginning from 22nd july 2005 in your area.it would be atleast one
visit a day.I await your soonest reply.

Rgds
Anita

Third Contact:
Hello, Thanks alot for the email,This will be for 2
months.well as okay with the price and as for the payment I will be
instructing my client who is yet to balance me to issue you a
certified check or money order in the amount to balance me to you for
the payment of pet sitting for my son and I will like you to have the
payment cashed then you can deduct your amount for my purchase and
have the remainder of my funds sent to my son so he can begin the
arrangement to come over to the states.I will be making reservation
for him in your location so that will be easy for you to go and see
him.so pls do let me know if this arrangements is okay by you then you
can get back to me with your Name ,address and phone # to reach you
then i can instruct my client to mail you the payment for the purchase.

Thanks, Anita