Aware of this scam?
Hi! I’ve read a couple of other posts here about a scam house-sitting request that was nearly identical to the one I just got. Those posts were from 2016 and 2017, so I just wanted to let everyone know that they’re still going on and what to look for! I went to report this to Rover, but his profile has already been deleted, less than 24 hours later! (And so the button “report this conversation” has disappeared.)
Be aware of a suspicious combination of: - A newly opened profile - No photos - Very minimal information on profile - Out-of-state; says they are moving to your area - Messages have strange wording and details - Wants to offer extra fees - Asks for another way to contact you, such as email - Asks for your personal information or bank information - Asks you to cash a large check and “keep a portion for your fee”
I got a request yesterday from someone with a profile opened the same day, with no photos and no information filled out about the dog. He said he could not do a meet-and-greet because he was all the way across the country in Maryland and would be moving to the area for work. The house-sitting request was only for a few days, but he wanted me to start the very day they would be arriving in town, and then added other really odd details, such as “I may need you to take him to the vets periodically.” Really? In a 5-day house sitting visit?
He did keep replying to my messages on Rover, but there was odd wording and he started to seem like he was commanding me. Some examples: “Specification of job include taking him for a walk, periodic grooming and help in feeding is also required. Can you render these services?” and “Give me your email I will like to write to you in more details” and “We will have a meet and greet on the 26th. You will start on the 26th.”
I smelled SCAM reeking from the whole interaction on Rover so I provided one of my junk email addresses to see what he would send me. He waited until the next day and then sent a HUGE email loaded with totally unnecessary details and attached a couple of pictures. He told me he had a Chesapeake Bay Retriever three times, but sent pictures of a yellow Lab!!
Here is the email he sent, full of ridiculously unnecessary details. I want everyone to recognize this scam! The next step is where they have their “financier” send you a big check to cash to deposit to some other account, and to keep a fee for yourself. The only thing that will happen is that you will lose all your money when it bounces.
The email:
“ How are you today and thanks for your response regarding the offer I put up for Pet Service, He is a 70lbs Chesapeake Bay Retriever. I need someone with a reputable pet careservice so ...
I got this years ago, not exactly the same but close. The Rover app protects us all from this. Never do business off the Rover site!!!!!
I have gotten a scam including a fake check. I went to my bank reported it varied it was fake. The profile has been flagged. But never accept a payment before service or not thru rover.
I just got a similar request from an Andrew James who, supposedly, has an Alaskan husky named Jay. His profile had little information, and the email he sent me was almost identical to yours, mentioning the fish and his wife Marissa, etc. I thought the request was very strange.
I have gotten this same exact email when I posted my services on Craigslist. And then again once I posted my rover on Facebook. They would say that they’d pay me hundreds of dollars if I stayed in their apartment.
I just received an almost identical message. Good to know !
I get one of these a week and scary. I wonder what their plan is once i meet them? Kidnap?
I almost fell for it but rembered training. Asked several times to join Rover. Request were ignored and I knew my mind was right they are scamming me. I gave no information.
I am removing craigslist post. Not sure if craigslist and facebook post have anything in common for scammers.
I received one of these 2 weeks ago. Dog was described as a 15 pound Shepard, but pic showed a yellow lab. They stopped responding after I insisted on a meet and greet. Then Rover sent a message that this request was flagged. Just rec'd request for a 2 week stay for a dog with the same description.
I did not respond and just reported it to Rover. Clearly a scam.
Oh wow. I'm so glad I found this thread. I just got this EXACT message, only with the names changed. I definitely thought it was a little suspicious and had a bad feeling about it. I can't believe this is still going on.
I just recieved this message two days ago, and am still in contact with this person... literally the exact same email, just different owner name, dog name, and breed. I only gave him an email I don't care for, but no other information. This was very helpful, thank you.
His name is Gregory Burnley, with 1 year old, 68 lbs "serbian" husky named Drake.
I got the same scam but a little different. I gave a fake name knowing it was a scam. I received a check today for $2400 from an attorney’s office in Plano, TX. I told the scammer it was too much and It is going back to the attorneys office. I called the attorneys office today.
I wish I could paste the fake profile here.
Got a scammer too just today! So it’s still going on!
I got something similar just a few minutes ago. This lady used some exact wording as the scam above, but she offered me $500 weekly. I am so glad I came on here and read this so very helpful. Thank you for sharing.
This just happened to me today. A woman named Debra wanted me to walk her 2 dogs 3x a week, 30 min a day. The wording was strange & sounded demanding. Then made the dates different than requested (more). Wanted to text off the app. Wanted me to buy supplies out of my pocket before even meeting..
I just got this scam and it was unfortunately my first Rover request. I reverse image searched all of the three photos and they were stolen from the first hits on the internet. It never got off the Rover platform because I was already wary when they barely had a profile filled out for the dog.
I got a similar scam request. Originally came from Kim from Rover, looking for an experienced sitter to watch her boss dogs and to email her at dorcas.arnold778@hotmail.com, asked for personal info and they were gonna send me a check in the mail and were moving to louisville. Scammers suck!