Consumer complaint received 2020-11-14
Company: WELLS FARGO & COMPANY
State: GA
Product: Money transfer, virtual currency, or money service
Sub-product: Virtual currency
Issue: Fraud or scam

Complaint:
When : Between XX/XX/XXXX2020  Bank : Wellsfargo- transfer using XXXX XXXX  payments : 3 Wellsfargo contacted : XX/XX/2020 to report XXXX transactions ... no resolution other than replacement of card which I submitted online. 

Monday, early XXXX on a wim went to search for puppies for sale online. Came across the site XXXX. My daughter picked out " XXXX '' the XXXX  XXXX  and we simply made in inquiry from the site by filling our our general contact information and what dog we were interested. I instantly received a text message stating an appreciation of our interest in the puppy and that it was available now. We automatically said yes. The seller proceeded to stated the cost of shipment and asked if we wanted to pick it up from the airport or delivered to our residence. We chose to have it delivered to the house. The cost was going to be {$600.00} for the puppy + {$250.00} for resident delivery. We thought it over and continued the conversation for purchase. The seller told me that I could send them money using XXXX. Not being to familiar with XXXX, I went ahead and sent monies to the name XXXX XXXX ( whom I thought was the breeder 's name ) and shared with them a screen shot of the payment ... I learned quickly from my banking institution, that I was given a daily {$500.00} limit. I told the seller and they initially wanted me to then use another form of payment through XXXX. I told them no that I didn't feel comfortable doing a payment that way and told them that I could send the remaining balance 24 hours later. They agreed. Next day later I attempted to send the balance of {$250.00} through XXXX to the same person, XXXX XXXX. and again sent them a screen shot of the payment. Hours later I reached out to the seller to see when the puppy would be sent. Was planned to be sent out Wednesday. We were so excited to see a confirmation email that the sellar had indeed dropped off the puppy at the airport in the hands of XXXX whom was going to be transporting the dog. Someone even contacted me confirming the address that the puppy was to be delivered to. Late afternoon Wednesday, I received an email from the shipping company stating the the crate provided by the sellar would not be suited for travel due to the climate change. The email stated that there were 3 temperature controlled crates to chose from and their prices. Also, that all crate rentals were 100 % refundable upon delivery by cash. flag # 1 I thought, well why didn't the sellar know this and take of or warn me of the chances of this happening ... I went back and forth and decided to take the " mid grade '' crate that cost {$1100.00} ( give or take a few dollars ). flag # 2 Once I responded to the shipping company of my choice in crates, they went on to say that I was to send the money through XXXX. Well, running into the same problem as I did with the sellar, I had to make it sets of payments ; all to different people .... I was getting more and more worried that I had been scammed and this we would never see this puppy. The shipping company suggested that I try to make the payment balance online through their website. I provided my debit card info and license info and to my luck, the site stated that their payment system was down and that I could not proceed. Well, with only {$100.00} left to pay I decided to lie and say that the payment was made in full and sent a " preview '' or review of the payment screenshot. No response ... I called the seller, texted the seller, and called the shipping company ... No response. scammed out of $ XXXX

Company public response: Company has responded to the consumer and the CFPB and chooses not to provide a public response
Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation