Scammers slipped into a Jefferson County law enforcement Facebook page this week and tried to turn adorable puppies into a quick cash grab, according to the sheriff's office. Officials said Thursday that the county's animal-control Facebook page was hacked, and con artists began posting bogus dog adoption listings.
The fake posts featured specific pups by name - Max, Luna and Mimi - and pushed would-be adopters to fill out Google Forms that asked for adoption fees and personal information. None of the dogs is actually available for adoption, the sheriff's office stressed, and residents were urged not to click the links or send any money. Deputies also asked locals to spread the word so neighbors would not get taken in.
What the Sheriff’s Office Posted
According to the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office, the animal-control page "was hacked" and used to promote fake listings for an "11-week-old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel" named Max, an "affectionate French bulldog" called Luna and a playful dachshund puppy named Mimi. The post included two Google Form links and explicitly warned residents, "do not click the link or send money." The department emphasized that the listings are fraudulent and are not connected to any local shelter or rescue.
How the Scam Works and How to Dodge It
These kinds of pet-adoption cons lean on stolen photos, emotional pressure and official-looking but phony paperwork to rush people into paying, the Better Business Bureau warns. Better Business Bureau guidance highlights common red flags: demands for deposits or shipping fees, refusal to allow video calls or in-person visits and requests for hard-to-undo payments like gift cards or wire transfers.
To protect yourself, officials say you should insist on meeting the animal in person when possible, run reverse-image searches on pet photos and confirm any listing through a rescue or shelter's official website or phone number before you hand over money or personal details.
If You Clicked or Sent Money
If you have already filled out a suspicious form or sent a payment, the advice is to move quickly. Contact your bank immediately to try to cancel or reverse the charge, and hang on to all messages, emails and receipts.
Report the incident to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and, for fraud that began online, to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center at IC3.gov. You should also file a local police report so investigators can collect evidence, and use Facebook's reporting tools to flag the fraudulent post.
The sheriff's office is asking anyone who spots suspicious adoption posts to share its warning and report the content to Facebook. Officials say residents should keep an eye on the department's official channels for updates and for any verified adoption listings that appear in the future.
