PHOENIX — A Valley nonprofit is warning people of a scam targeting people on social media after losing nearly $1,000.
The owners of Barking Lot Dog Rescue were attempting to buy a trailer from a mutual friend on Facebook.
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Co-owner Ashley Kasdorf said the user posted, "Hello guys, we are clearing out items from my Dad's house (he got moved to aged care) and he is no longer in need of these items," along with photos of the trailer.
The owners expressed their interest with the user over Facebook Messenger, who requested they put down a deposit before planning to see the trailer a few days later.
Kasdorf said they agreed, because they trusted the mutual friend.
The owners sent a $500 deposit through PayPal Friends and Family to the given account. The user told them she didn't receive it. So, they sent a second deposit of $499.
Shortly after the transaction, Kasdorf said one of the owners searched the post online and quickly learned they had been scammed.
“It turns out the Facebook had been hacked so the person we were taking to the entire time was the scam, the scammer," Kasdorf said.
Kasdorf said they immediately contacted PayPal and their bank account, but the transactions were completed.
There's little hope they will get any of the money back and the user is now unreachable.
Kasdorf told 12News this loss will significantly set the nonprofit back.
“We don’t get paid for doing this, like any of the money that we make from adoptions goes literally right back in to helping more dogs," Kasdorf said.
She said this serves as a reminder to not trust anyone online, even people you know.
"It just seems so silly that we got scammed doing it," Kasdorf said. "Even if you think you know the person, don’t send them money before.”
The Barking Lot Dog Rescue is still looking for a trailer. Donations to the nonprofit can be made here.
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