Columbus Animal Control warns of impersonator trying to obtain personal information

Someone is trying to obtain personal information from pet owners using lost and found Columbus Animal Control data, the city warned Monday.

The Columbus Consolidated Government is warning the public about a person who is impersonating Animal Control to gather personal information, according to a news release.

The CCG said that the individual is using Animal Control’s Critter Mapping Tool/Lost and Found public database to reach out to individuals who are using the tool to find their lost animal or contact the owner of a found animal.

The release said the individual is making initial contact through texting and requesting personal information.

Columbus Animal Care & Control doesn’t use texting as a method of communication to animal’s owners and that financial transactions are done at the shelter, CCG said.

“We would also like to confirm that no personal information will ever be requested over the phone,” the release said.

The CCG asks that individuals not give personal information to anyone claiming to be from the Columbus Animal Care and Control and contact Animal Care and Control to verify.

This story was originally published November 6, 2023 at 2:25 PM.