FTC warns pet lovers about scams using manipulated images and AI deepfakes
The FTC says scammers are exploiting pet-related content, including manipulated images, videos and AI-generated deepfakes, and urges people to slow down before sending money or sharing personal information.
The Federal Trade Commission says scammers are using stolen and manipulated pet images, videos and AI-generated deepfakes to trick animal lovers into sending money or personal information.
In a Consumer Alerts post titled Animal lovers: learn to spot and avoid this breed of pet scams, the FTC says the emotional pull of animal stories can make people more likely to act quickly. The agency advises consumers to slow down, avoid being rushed into a decision and talk to someone they trust before taking action.
The FTC says pet-themed posts can spread quickly across social platforms and messaging apps, where fake rescue stories, adoption pitches or sob stories may appear believable at first glance. It says scammers may steal pet photos and videos or use AI-generated deepfakes to make the pitch look real.
The alert does not name specific perpetrators or give case examples. It also does not provide numbers on how often these scams appear.
The FTC says people should not let scammers rush them into a decision. It also tells consumers to report suspected fraud at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
The consumer alert was published on June 24, according to the FTC feed metadata. The item is attributed in the feed to BCP Staff.
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Editorial note: This article was prepared with AI assistance and includes source attribution for reader review.
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