Beware of Pet Recovery Scams: How to Spot Predators and Find Legitimate Drone Operators
Losing a pet is incredibly stressful, and unfortunately, scammers are taking advantage of desperate owners by offering fake recovery services. These scammers claim to use drones, traffic cameras, Ring doorbells, or even satellite imagery to locate pets, but it’s all a lie. They ask for upfront payments and disappear, leaving you with false hope and an empty wallet. Worse, these scams damage the reputation of legitimate operators who genuinely want to help.
At MOV Drone Workz, we’ve seen firsthand how these scammers hurt both pet owners and professionals in the industry. By making it harder for real drone operators to offer their services, these bad actors create mistrust and skepticism—making it more difficult for you to get the help you need.
How to Spot a Scam
Here are key signs to help you avoid falling victim to these scammers:
Claims of Using Cameras or Satellites: Scammers may say they have access to traffic cams, Ring doorbells, or live satellite images. This is illegal hacking—and they are lying.
No Website or Social Media Presence: Legitimate operators will have an active website and social media pages with testimonials and examples of their work. If you can't find any local reputation or online presence, be wary.
Out-of-Town Numbers: Be cautious if someone offers help but provides a non-local number. Local operators will have connections to your community and references to back up their work.
Pressure to Prepay: A huge red flag. Legitimate operators will discuss your case without demanding upfront payment.
How to Find a Legitimate Drone Operator
To find someone you can trust, look for operators with an established online presence, local references, and a history of helping others in your area. A legitimate operator, like us at MOV Drone Workz, will have clear information on their services and past successes. Always ask for references and never hesitate to verify their claims.
Protect Yourself and Others
Report scammers: If someone seems suspicious, report them to the group admins and block them from contacting you.
Check for local reputation: Ask for local references and testimonials.
Never prepay: If they pressure you for money upfront, walk away.
Final Thoughts
Scammers are making it harder for legitimate drone operators to offer real help, damaging trust and putting pet owners at risk. At MOV Drone Workz, we are committed to providing honest, reliable service. Visit our website movdroneworkz.com to learn more about how we can help. Together, we can keep your pets safe and out of the hands of scammers.
