Matthew Short in Highlands County, Florida - Scam Artist, Thief and uses Rover, a pet sitting service, to scam and steal money Avon Park FL

I went on rover.com to find a pet sitter for my pets.  I chose Matthew Short as he came with a "Verified Enhanced Background Check" as well as 15 positive reviews.  He outreached me and asked for my phone number.  He called me and told me that because I had more than one pet, Rover charged per pet, but that he'd only charge me for one pet. 

He required that I pay him because he didn't want to be stiffed, but would be at my house the following Monday at noon to get instructions.  I paid him and when he didn't show up at noon, I called him.  He answered and told me that his sister had a heart attack and he was on his way to Tampa and would contact me that evening or the following day. 

The following day came and went.  By the second day, I sent him an e-mail and left him a message asking for my $416 back as he did not keep his word.  (He had responded to e-mail the day that I paid him, but didn't respond to my e-mail or voice mail requesting my money be returned).  I had paid him through Velle to the phone number he gave me - 863-368-0859 (which we communicated). 

I filed a fraud case with my bank and filed a report with the sheriff's office.  In the meantime, I learned that this same individual did the same thing to Lindsey M. and Jerica M.  I drove to the address of Matthew, and the house was abandoned. 

His neighbor told me that Matthew was evicted from that residence and moved into a garage type apartment on the other side of her; however, he was also evicted from there, but stole the appliances and sold them.  I stopped by the fire station a couple blocks away, and showed the fireman his photos. 

I learned that they had been to the last place that Matthew was evicted from as he called and said his boyfriend set his clothes fire as well as other items.  However, they suspect that Matthew was the one who set the fire.  I stopped by a convenient store across from the fire station, and the attendant informed me that Matthew was in the store that morning buying a coke with food stamps and frequently went there to purchase lottery tickets. 

I contacted Rover about all of this and asked how this individual even passed a background check.  To my dismay, I learned from the representative at Rover that Matthew's account had been flagged several times in the past for taking customers off the website and that he had two profiles. 

In the meantime, Les W. outreached Matthew for pet sitting services through Rover.  Once again, Matthew directed Les off the website.  He called Les and was sending him text messages.  Les agreed to hire Matthew, but told him that he would have someone bring the money to him. 

Les became aware of Matthew scamming people, and did not have anyone go to the address that was provided to him by Matthew.  Les took a screen shot of all their texts, including Matthew claiming that he had turned down 2 pet sitting jobs to pet sit for Les.  Les outreached Rover to let them know that Matthew was still on their website and scamming people. 

Clearly, Matthew has Axis II diagnoses as he is a pathological liar, a thief, and has a history of being evicted from places.  I also learned, from another individual, who is on Rover, that the reviews aren't necessarily from people who used Rover.  Hence, many reviews are fake.