Cute pictures of puppies and adoptable pets are one of a scammer's favorite tools to get your money. There have been countless scams where people will send in a down payment to hold a pet, only to find out the pet doesn't exist, and they lose their money.

Now, a new type of scam is hitting, and a Minnesota Animal Shelter is warning people to be on the lookout. It's easy to fall for, too. Here's what you need to know.

Animal Allies in Duluth, Minnesota share recently shared on social media a warning to their followers about a new scam happening. Scammers will make a fake donation profile and ask for money, posing as the organization.

As you can see, it's very easy to miss. In this case, only a hyphen at the end of the profile is different. Animal Allies reports the accounts, but new ones keep popping up. Scammers have an endless amount of characters to use and nothing better to do than try and trick you.

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In cases like this, where it involves Venmo, there is a way to protect yourself. If it's your first time sending money to someone, it will prompt you to enter the last 4 digits of the phone number. To Venmo Animal Allies, be sure to enter the 4 digits - 4033.

Let your fellow pet-loving friends and family know about the scam.

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Because the regulation of exotic animals is left to states, some organizations, including The Humane Society of the United States, advocate for federal, standardized legislation that would ban owning large cats, bears, primates, and large poisonous snakes as pets.

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