Fake Pet Microchip Registry Scams via Phone Calls
How cold callers claiming to represent official microchip registries charge pet owners renewal or transfer fees for services that have no official standing.
Part of: Fake Pet Microchip Registry Scams
Last reviewed: 9 June 2026
Microchip registration scams that operate through phone calls differ significantly from the online variant. A caller who speaks directly with a pet owner creates immediate personal pressure that a website cannot replicate. The caller may claim the pet's microchip registration is lapsing, has moved to a new database, or requires annual renewal — all fictional scenarios designed to justify a card payment over the phone.
Because microchipping is mandated for dogs in the UK and for certain animals in other jurisdictions, pet owners take registration seriously. A caller who knows the pet's microchip number — which may be obtained from data breaches or pet database leaks — has an additional layer of apparent legitimacy.
How this scam works on phone calls
The call opens with a reference to the owner's pet's microchip and a claim that the registration is about to lapse or that the pet's details need to be transferred to a new national database. A nominal annual renewal fee is requested, payable over the phone by card. Some callers claim the renewal is legally required under recent animal welfare legislation.
In a more sophisticated version, the caller states that the pet's microchip was not registered to the correct national database and offers to rectify this for a fee. They may provide a website address for the supposed registry that looks convincing but was registered recently and has no official government affiliation.
Common red flags
- Unsolicited call claiming your pet's microchip registration is lapsing or requires renewal
- Caller references your pet's microchip number but cannot confirm other verifiable details
- Annual renewal fee described as legally required for a microchip that was already registered
- Request for payment by card over the phone rather than through an official online portal
- Company name cannot be found in official microchip database directories
- Urgency that the pet will be untraceable if not renewed immediately
How to protect yourself
- Verify your pet's microchip registration directly on your country's official database (Petlog, Microchip Central, or equivalent)
- Understand that legitimate microchip registrations typically involve a one-time fee with no mandatory annual renewal
- Never provide card details to an unsolicited caller claiming to represent a pet registry
- Look up the caller's company name independently before taking any action
- Inform your vet and local pet community if you receive such a call
How to report it
- Report the number to the FTC (US) or Ofcom (UK)
- Report to Action Fraud (UK) if money was taken
- Notify your country's official microchip database that a fraudulent service is impersonating them
Frequently asked questions
The caller read out my pet's actual microchip number — doesn't that prove they're legitimate?
Microchip numbers can be obtained from data broker leaks, breeder records, or previous registry breaches, so knowing the number doesn't confirm the caller represents any real database. Always verify independently through the official lookup tool.
What happens if I don't pay the renewal fee they're asking for?
Nothing happens to your pet's real registration, because if it was genuinely registered with an approved database, that registration doesn't lapse or require payment to maintain. The expiry threat is the pressure tactic, not a real consequence.
Is it worth registering my pet with multiple databases to be safe?
Registering with more than one official, government-approved database can be a reasonable precaution and is usually low-cost or free, but always initiate that registration yourself directly with the recognised provider rather than through an unsolicited call.
Does a pet microchip need to be renewed annually?
In most countries, microchip registration is a one-time or lifetime registration with no annual renewal requirement. Any caller claiming otherwise is misleading you.
How do I check which database my pet is registered on?
In the UK, use the free lookup tool at check-a-chip.co.uk which searches all government-approved databases. In the US, use the AAHA Universal Pet Microchip Lookup at lookup.aaha.org.