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 ... (more)