Consumer complaint received 2022-02-15
Company: Early Warning Services, LLC
State: PA
Product: Money transfer, virtual currency, or money service
Sub-product: Domestic (US) money transfer
Issue: Fraud or scam

Complaint:
On XX/XX/XXXX I spoke with XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX representative to file a claim on my behalf with Zelle after being involved in an internet puppy scam and transferring {$800.00} from my checking account through Zelle. Name on Zelle account is XXXX XXXX, with recipient XXXXXXXX Zelle dispute # XXXX earlier in the day. Followed up with XXXX at Zelle today XX/XX/XXXX and was told nothing Zelle could do, and to contact my bank directly again, despite having a Zelle dispute number to provide him. Spoke with XXXX at XXXX XXXX XXXX  customer service line who attached police report #, and asked for a manager to review case after noting that the dispute had been declined. Police report # XXXX, XXXX XXXX XXXX Police Department XXXX XXXX ( XXXX XXXX XXXX ) description of scam-Located XXXX  XXXX XXXX dog for sale by breeder on XXXXXXXX  ( website currently remains active ). Cost was {$600.00} for dog, and {$200.00} for transportation as discussed in email ; and outlined in signed contract from owner XXXX XXXX. Received message on XX/XX/XXXX that dog would be flying out by XXXX, and payment required via XXXX on account XXXX XXXX XXXX with recipient XXXX. Later in the evening when corresponding with XXXX XXXX he stated he had turned over dog to transport agency XXXX XXXX  ( XXXX ), I attempted several time to contact them via email at XXXX, as well as phone XXXX without success. Later that evening the breeder noted that now an electronic crate would be needed for transport due to weather conditions. We offered to pick up dog due to realizing this appeared to be a dog scammer. After several messages we were provided with address from breeder for XXXXXXXX XXXX  which XXXXXXXX XXXX  search noted it to be a runway, and no affiliation with XXXXXXXX XXXX. As of today XX/XX/XXXX we continue to receive emails from XXXX XXXX at XXXX XXXX requesting more money for an electronic crate that is now needed for safe transport. Also texts threatening charges of abandonment if not paid for shipping from phone # XXXX. Other email address XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX  XXXX, phone number XXXX. We have again requested accurate address for pick up, as well as live footage of dog ; and received an address in Alaska due to them being an international company per XXXX. 

some emails r/t incident-If an email was used in this incident, please provide a copy of the entire email including full email headers. 
From : XXXX XXXX  XXXX Date : XX/XX/XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX ) To : XXXX Subject : Re : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX- XXXX XXXX XXXX. 
Greetings to you and hope you are well. Thanks for inquiring about our XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX. 
All pictures you see of XXXX are her current pictures. 
XXXX is still available and ready to go now at a discount price of {$600.00} plus a delivery cost of {$200.00} making a total of {$800.00}. All puppies have been Vet-checked, XXXX Registered XXXX de-wormed, on shots, and potty trained. All our puppies are neither neutered nor spayed though you can do that yourself after 4 months of age but all our adult dogs have been neutered and spayed, males and females respectively. XXXX is super sweet! also super cuddly and his personality is somewhat bubbly. You just want to have her in your arms all day. We can hold a puppy for up to 30 days. 
The price above includes : *Blanket, Toys, Photobook , Sweater, and Food. 
*Pet insurance. 
*Health records ( Vaccinations and deworming completed ) *Lifetime, follow-up, and support. 
*Age-appropriate vaccines and worming. 
*XXXX XXXXXXXX. 
Thank you. 
XXXX & XXXX ( XXXX ) XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX From : XXXX XXXX XXXX Date : XX/XX/XXXX XXXX XXXX ( XXXX ) To : XXXX XXXX Subject : Re : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX Hi XXXX Thank you for opening your doors to us, for taking XXXX, and making him part of your family. We feel so happy to have found a home for XXXX. 

As for payment, Check if your bank supports Zelle then follow the few steps below to send payment. 

Step 1 ACCESS ZELLE Get started by signing in to your mobile/PC banking app then simply send money via Zelle Step 2 SELECT A PERSON TO PAY Zelle account Name : XXXX XXXX Zelle account Email : XXXX Memo or reason for payment is XXXX as in contract # XXXX Step 3 CONFIRMATION Make the payment and send me a screenshot of the transaction summary or confirmation message once you are done. Easy, safe and convenient. 

Note : It is always better to copy and paste the Zelle email address to avoid typing errors that will cause a delay to the whole process. 

Once the payment is made, we will finalize the formalities, and pay for her shipping, and delivery today. We will provide you with all the details, arrival and delivery time. We will provide you with minute-to-minute updates till XXXX is delivered. I will be sending some delivery checklists and settling tips to help make bringing XXXX home the best experience possible. A pet many will accompany and hand-deliver XXXX to you. 

Kind regards XXXX & XXXX ( XXXX ) XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX From : XXXX XXXX  XXXX Date : XX/XX/XXXX at XXXX XXXX EST To : XXXX XXXX XXXX Subject : Re : XXXX Hi XXXX We made the reservation, registration and have handed XXXX to the agency. I just got a call and have been on the phone with them. I will not want this to come up to you as surprise but the agency is asking that they need an electronic crate from the usual shipping crate that we provided. An electronic crate which can safely deliver XXXX home due this bad weather, security and insurance during the trip. Once XXXX is delivered, you can opt to keep the crate or return it. If you chose to return it, you will be refunded. We already accepted and that the delivery process should continue because XXXX can not be exposed as such or pass the night at the agency. The agency should be contacting you now as we are still waiting for their email with the full flight information. Please stay close to your phone and email because they'll be contacting you as we will be keeling in touch as well. 

XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX ( XXXX ) XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX To : XXXX, XXXX Tue, XX/XX/XXXX at XXXXXXXX XXXX Hi XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, this message is to notify you that after the registration of your puppy for delivery late yesterday evening, the flight that your puppy was supposed to be on had been grounded due to extremely poor weather and the recent wider / rapid spread of the Covid-19 Coronavirus ( Effects of non vaccination ) and a strict decision following the climbing infection rate of the Coronavirus ( COVID-19 ) in the United States after statistics have recently proven that tender animals could be potential carriers due to the fact that we don't and can't ship them in the cargo of the plane where they will be frightened by the noise from the engines making them unhealthy upon delivery so we normally put them in a litter box and ship them in the cabin with passengers making them safe and healthy. We are not able to proceed with the delivery of your puppy and other animals under XXXX weeks using the usual ventilated shipping crates which exposes them to mean while every passenger is required

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation