🐾 A Christmas Puppy That Never Comes, a "Free Veterans Day Meal" That Wants Your Card Number, a Grandparent Call From Rhea County and a "Prove You're Not a Robot" Box That Wants You to Type Commands: Your Scam Watch for This Week

Or: See the Pet Before You Pay, Bring Your ID Instead of Your Card Number, Call the Grandkid Back Yourself and Never Paste a Command Just to Prove You’re Human

By Thomas Seest, Dunlap.Today · Tuesday, November 10, 2026

Good morning, neighbors. It’s Tuesday, the coffee’s on and Veterans Day is tomorrow. Here’s this week’s second Scam Watch. All four items share one easy habit: the real thing can wait while you check. A real pet can be seen, a real free meal is handed over at the counter, a real grandchild can be called back, and a real website never needs you to type secret keyboard commands.

Here’s what’s on the porch: the Better Business Bureau (BBB) says pet-buying scams are a big problem heading into Christmas, and not just puppies, but “cats, horses, farm animals” too; Veterans Day is Wednesday, Nov. 11, and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) list of real freebies shows they’re nearly all in person with proof of service, so a post asking for your card number to “claim” a meal is a red flag; next door in Rhea County, the sheriff’s office warned on Monday, Nov. 9, about callers pretending to be a grandchild hurt in a Florida car crash; and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) warning about fake “I’m not a robot” boxes that tell you to press keyboard shortcuts is making the rounds again in tech news. The pet, coupon and computer warnings are national. The grandparent call is local to Rhea County, just over the mountain from us, and the same call can ring anywhere in the Valley. We haven’t seen a new Sequatchie County scam report this week, and that’s good news worth a second cup.

⏱️ What this means for you in 30 seconds

• Buying a pet for Christmas? See it in person, or at least on a live video call, before you pay a dime. Extra fees for a crate, shots or shipping are a red flag.
• Veteran heading out for a free meal tomorrow? Real offers are at the restaurant with your military ID or proof of service. Never type a card number into a “free meal” link.
• A “grandchild” calls in trouble and says don’t tell Mom? Hang up and call the grandchild or their parents on a number you already have.
• A website says “prove you’re human” by pressing keys like Windows+R or opening Terminal? Close it. Real CAPTCHAs never ask that.
• Never pay by gift card, wire, payment app or cryptocurrency to someone you’ve only met by phone or online.
• Report scams at ReportFraud.ftc.gov or the BBB Scam Tracker.
• Need local help? In Dunlap, call police at (423) 949-3319 or non-emergency dispatch at (423) 949-9912.

🐶 The Christmas Puppy (or Kitten, or Pony) That’s Only a Picture

National: Better Business Bureau, Nov. 4 and Nov. 9, 2026

Lots of Valley families dream of a puppy under the tree with a bow on its collar. Scammers know it. On Monday, Nov. 9, Cara Carlin of the Arkansas BBB told KATV that for families hoping to surprise a child with a pet for Christmas, scammers have turned that into a major target. “It’s such a huge scam space, especially when looking for an animal online,” she said, and the problem goes beyond puppies to “cats, horses, farm animals” and more.

A Nov. 4 BBB report shared by KYMA walked through how it usually works:

• A website or social media page shows a popular breed with nice photos at a surprisingly low price, often with glowing reviews from fake profiles.
• The “seller” may even run a pretend screening to judge if you’re a good owner, which makes it feel real.
• They send lots of pictures but won’t let you visit or do a video call. They promise to ship the animal once you pay.
• Then come the add-on fees. One woman in BBB Scam Tracker reserved a puppy for $200, then paid for paperwork, vet fees, a crate deposit and insurance, and lost $1,000. Another said the shipper kept asking for more and lost $2,100.

Think of it like buying a calf at the sale barn. You’d want to see it walk around the pen before you raised your hand. A pet you can’t see isn’t a pet yet. It’s just a picture with a price tag.

What it means for you: The BBB’s red flags are easy to remember: a too-low price, a seller who won’t meet or video-call, surprise fees for cages, shots or shipping, ads using the word “teacup,” and pressure that the animal will be harmed if you don’t pay fast. The BBB says to see the pet in person before paying, set up a live video call if you can’t, look up what the breed normally costs, and do a reverse image search on the photos (a grandkid can show you how in a minute). Carlin’s best advice is to shop locally, with trusted breeders, pet stores and adoption centers. Local animal shelters and rescues around the Valley have good dogs and cats you can meet and hold before you take them home. If you already paid a fake seller, call your bank or payment app right away, stop sending money and report it to BBB Scam Tracker.

👉 Read more (KATV: Arkansas BBB warns holiday shoppers, Nov. 9) · KYMA: BBB on the anatomy of an online puppy scam (Nov. 4)

🎖️ Veterans Day Freebies Happen at the Counter, Not Through a Link

National: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs list (updated Nov. 6, 2026) and BBB coupon-scam guidance

Tomorrow is a good day for the veterans in our families. The VA’s 2026 Veterans Day discounts list includes dozens of national offers for Wednesday, Nov. 11, and nearly every one says the same thing: dine in or shop in the store, and bring a military ID or proof of service. A few examples from the VA list: a free entrée from a special menu at participating Applebee’s and Chili’s, a free Original Grand Slam at Denny’s from 5 a.m. to noon, a free meal from a special menu at Bob Evans, a free haircut at Great Clips, and free entry to national parks for everyone that day. The VA also says offers can change and may not be at every location, so “Verify with the organization offering.”

Here’s the scam side. The BBB has long warned that crooks put restaurant and store logos on fake coupons shared on social media. The “free meal” post asks you to share it, fill out a survey or enter personal or card information, and there’s no meal at the end. Big holidays with real freebies make those look-alikes easier to fall for.

It’s like the difference between a neighbor handing you a pie over the fence and a note in your mailbox saying “send $5 for shipping and we’ll mail you a free pie.” The real gift doesn’t need your wallet.

What it means for you: If you see a “free Veterans Day meal” post, check the offer on the restaurant’s own website or app, or just call the local restaurant and ask if they’re taking part. Then show up with your ID. No real Veterans Day freebie needs your card number, bank login or Social Security number to “unlock” it. If a post or text asks for that, skip it. If you already entered card information, call your bank or card company and ask them to watch for charges or send a new card.

👉 Read more (VA News: 2026 Veterans Day discounts, free meals and offers) · BBB: Watch out for fake coupons on social media

📞 Just Over the Mountain: Rhea County’s Sheriff Warns of a “Grandchild in a Florida Crash” Call

Local: Rhea County Sheriff’s Office, Monday, Nov. 9, 2026

We’ve talked about “loved one in trouble” calls before, and here’s a fresh, close-to-home update. On Monday, Nov. 9, the Rhea County Sheriff’s Office put out what it called an urgent warning about a phone scam targeting local residents, especially seniors. According to 3B Media News, the callers pretend to be a grandchild, say they’ve been in a serious car crash in Florida, and say they urgently need money for legal fees. They often beg the grandparent to keep it secret from the parents and the rest of the family.

That secrecy part is the tell. It’s like a fox asking you to leave the henhouse door open and not mention it to anybody. Somebody who’s truly in trouble wants their family to know.

What it means for you: Sheriff John Argo’s advice is simple. Hang up and call the grandchild or their parents on a number you already know. Don’t rush to send money by wire, gift card, payment app or cryptocurrency based on a phone call. Treat any request to keep it quiet as a big red flag. A handy trick: agree on a family code word that only real family members know. If you get a call like this in Rhea County, call the sheriff’s office at (423) 775-7837 (central dispatch 423-775-2442). Here in Dunlap, call police at (423) 949-3319. If money has already gone out, call your bank first, right away. The sheriff also asks all of us to talk with older loved ones and neighbors about this call. That might be the most useful thing you do today.

👉 Read more (3B Media News: Rhea County Sheriff warns of active “grandparent” phone scam, Nov. 9)

🤖 “Prove You’re Not a Robot” Should Never Mean “Type These Keys”

National: Federal Trade Commission warning, back in the news Nov. 9, 2026

You know those little boxes that say “I’m not a robot,” or ask you to click every picture with a tractor in it? They’re called CAPTCHAs, and they help websites keep out computer bots. The FTC has warned that scammers make fake ones, and tech news site TechBriefly re-reported that warning on Monday, Nov. 9. The fake boxes show up on bad websites dressed up to look like well-known sites such as Amazon or Facebook. Instead of a picture puzzle, they give you steps to follow:

• On a Windows computer: press Windows key + R, then Ctrl + V, then Enter.
• On a Mac: press Command + Space, type “Terminal,” then press Command + V.

Those steps quietly paste in a hidden command the bad website already copied for you, and it can install software that steals usernames and passwords. It’s a bit like a stranger at the gate saying, “Just to prove you live here, hand me your house key for a second.”

What it means for you: Remember this one rule: a real “I’m not a robot” check never asks you to press keyboard shortcuts, open a program or open Terminal. If a box asks for that, or shows up out of nowhere with a long list of steps, close the page. If you already followed the steps, especially if something started downloading, the FTC says to disconnect from the internet (turn off Wi-Fi or unplug the cable) and run your security software. Then change important passwords from a different, safe device, starting with email and banking.

👉 Read more (FTC: How to spot a CAPTCHA scam) · TechBriefly: FTC warns fake CAPTCHA checks can steal data (Nov. 9)

✅ Your Front-Porch Scam Checklist

• ✅ Buying a pet? See it in person or on a live video call before you pay.
• ✅ Surprise fees for a crate, shots, insurance or shipping? Stop paying. That’s the scam.
• ✅ Shop locally for pets: the shelter, a rescue or a breeder you can visit.
• ✅ Veterans: bring your military ID or proof of service tomorrow. Call the local restaurant if you’re not sure it’s taking part.
• ✅ No free meal or coupon ever needs your card number, bank login or Social Security number.
• ✅ A “grandchild” in trouble wants money and secrecy? Hang up and call them or their parents on a number you know.
• ✅ Pick a family code word this week. Write it somewhere only you will find it.
• ✅ A website says “prove you’re human” by pressing keys or opening Terminal? Close it.
• ✅ Clicked or typed something you shouldn’t have? Disconnect from the internet, run security software and change passwords from a safe device.
• ✅ Never pay strangers with gift cards, wire transfers, payment apps or cryptocurrency.
• ✅ Already paid? Call your bank first, then report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov, BBB Scam Tracker and local police.

The practical rule: If it can’t be seen, called back or handed to you in person, don’t pay for it yet. Real pets, real freebies, real grandkids and real websites will all still be there after you check.

— Dunlap.Today

📚 Plain-English Glossary

• Pet scam: A fake seller who advertises an animal that doesn’t exist (or isn’t theirs) to collect a payment and then extra “fees.”
• Reverse image search: A free tool (like Google Images) that shows where else a photo appears online. If the “puppy for sale” photo shows up on lots of other sites, that’s a warning sign.
• BBB Scam Tracker: The Better Business Bureau’s free website where people report scams and read what others have reported.
• Proof of service: A military ID, VA health ID card, a veteran designation on a driver’s license, or discharge papers like a DD-214, which businesses may ask to see for veteran offers.
• Fake coupon: A post or message using a real store’s logo to promise a free deal, really meant to collect your information or spread a link.
• Grandparent scam: A call or message from someone pretending to be a grandchild (or a lawyer or officer helping them) who needs money fast and wants it kept secret.
• Family code word: A word only your real family knows, so you can check who’s really on the phone.
• CAPTCHA: The “I’m not a robot” check on websites. The real ones use a checkbox, a picture puzzle or wavy letters, never keyboard commands.
• Terminal / Run box: Built-in computer tools that let someone type direct commands to the computer. A website has no reason to send you there.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Is it ever safe to buy a pet online?

It can be, if you can check the seller. The BBB says to see the animal in person before paying, or at least on a live video call, look up what the breed normally costs and reverse-search the photos. The safest bet is a local shelter, rescue, pet store or breeder you can visit.

The seller says the pet is ready, but the shipping company needs one more fee. Should I pay it?

No. A stream of new fees for crates, vaccinations, insurance or shipping is one of the BBB’s top red flags. Stop sending money and call your bank or payment app.

Does this apply to farm animals too?

Yes. The Arkansas BBB said this week that pet scams go beyond puppies to “cats, horses, farm animals” and more. The same rules work at the barn: see the animal, meet the seller and don’t wire money to a stranger.

How do I know which Veterans Day offers are real?

Check the business’s own website or app, look at the VA’s Veterans Day discounts list or call the local store or restaurant. The VA says offers can change and may not be at every location, so it’s always smart to call ahead.

A Facebook post says I can get a free meal if I share it and fill out a survey. Is that real?

Be very careful. The BBB has warned that fake coupons often ask you to share, comment or fill out a survey and then collect your information. Real Veterans Day meals are handed over at the restaurant when you show proof of service.

The caller really sounded like my grandson. How could it be fake?

Scammers count on a bad phone line, crying and panic to cover the voice, and some now use computer tools that copy voices. That’s why the sheriff says to hang up and call the grandchild or their parents on a number you already know. A family code word helps too.

I pressed the keys a fake CAPTCHA told me to. What now?

Don’t panic. Turn off Wi-Fi or unplug the internet cable, run your security software and change your important passwords from a different device, starting with email and banking. If you’re not comfortable doing that, a trusted local computer shop can help. Keep an eye on your bank accounts for a few weeks.

I already sent money in one of these scams. Is it too late?

No, and you’re not alone. Call your bank, card company or payment app right away and ask them to stop or reverse the payment. Then report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and BBB Scam Tracker, and call local police. In Dunlap, that’s (423) 949-3319.

🔗 Other Resources

• BBB: 12 Scams of the Holidays
• KYMA: Better Business Bureau on the anatomy of an online puppy scam (Nov. 4, 2026)
• KATV: Arkansas BBB warns holiday shoppers (Nov. 9, 2026)
• VA News: 2026 Veterans Day discounts, free meals and other retail offers
• BBB: Watch out for fake coupons on social media
• 3B Media News: Rhea County Sheriff warns of active “grandparent” phone scam (Nov. 9, 2026)
• Rhea County Sheriff’s Office: contact information
• FTC: How to spot a CAPTCHA scam
• TechBriefly: FTC warns fake CAPTCHA checks can steal data from Macs and PCs (Nov. 9, 2026)
• TN Attorney General: Scams, Schemes & Swindles
• National Elder Fraud Hotline (U.S. Justice Department): 1-833-372-8311 · AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline: 877-908-3360
• Report a scam: ReportFraud.ftc.gov · FBI IC3 · BBB Scam Tracker

🌄 Rest Easy: The Real Thing Can Always Wait for You to Check

Here’s the calm takeaway: you don’t have to know every trick. Whether it’s a cute puppy picture, a “free meal” post, a scared voice on the phone or a strange box on a website, the fix is the same. Slow down, see it for yourself or call back on a number you trust. Real pets, real freebies, real grandkids and real websites don’t vanish in five minutes. Share this with the grandparent who always answers the phone, the family shopping for a Christmas puppy and the veteran heading out for breakfast tomorrow. And to every veteran in the Valley, thank you. We’ll keep watch and bring you what’s new. Read Dunlap.Today and sign up for our newsletter for plain-English scam alerts and Valley news.