WARNING: IMPOSTER Pet Recovery Scams Are On the Rise; Here’s How to Stay Safe
Increasingly, scammers are targeting desperate pet owners, pretending to have found lost pets or impersonating real drone companies. In this article you'll learn about the most common scams as well as how to protect yourself from their harmful tactics.
When your pet goes missing, your emotions run high and unfortunately, scammers know that. At Drone Pet Recovery, we’ve seen an increase in fraudulent activity targeting desperate pet owners. This blog post will help you spot common scams, protect yourself, and know who to trust.
The Two Most Common Pet Recovery Scams
1. “I Found Your Pet” Scam
Scammers message you pretending to have found your pet. They’ll ask for money claiming they need it for food, vet bills, or transport before they’ll return your pet. In reality, they never had your pet at all.
2. Fake Drone and Satellite Services
These scammers impersonate real companies (including ours), copying logos, photos, and even our full videos to appear legitimate. Some even alter our name slightly, like “Drone pet Recovery” with a lowercase ‘p’.
They often claim to use “satellite technology” to find pets which is a red flag in itself. No legitimate recovery service uses satellites to locate lost pets.
Watch Out for These Red Flags
Be suspicious if you notice:
🚩 No website, phone number, or email – Scammers often stick to social media DMs
🚩 New or foreign page origins – Use Facebook’s “Page Transparency” tab
🚩 Fake engagement – Sudden posts with little or no interaction
🚩 Requests for full payment upfront – Legit services don’t charge before rendering help
🚩 Only accept Venmo, Cash App, or crypto – These methods are hard to trace or refund
How to Protect Yourself
✅ Verify credentials – Look for a real website, contact info, and online reviews
✅ Speak directly with the company – Real businesses will talk with you by phone
✅ Check for FAA Part 107 Certification – Required for legitimate thermal drone operators
✅ Use reputable directories – Visit DronePetRecovery.com to find verified drone pilots
✅ Never pay upfront to a stranger – Ensure a service is legitimate before making payment
What Drone Pet Recovery Is Doing to Fight Scammers
We’re taking this issue seriously. Here’s how we’re helping:
🔹 No upfront payment – We only charge after the service is rendered
🔹 Verified pilot network – Our platform connects you to trusted, FAA-certified drone pilots
🔹 Community reporting – If you see a scam page, screenshot it and send it to us
Help Us Spread the Word
The best way to stop pet recovery scams is through awareness.
📢 Share this information with pet owners, rescue groups, and local communities
💬 Comment if you’ve been targeted—your story can warn others
🌐 Visit DronePetRecovery.com to find a vetted pilot or join our network
We’re here to help. Even if we can’t serve your area directly, we can often connect you with someone who can.
Let’s protect each other and bring more pets home safely.