Consumer complaint received 2020-10-20
Company: Early Warning Services, LLC
State: NH
Product: Money transfer, virtual currency, or money service
Sub-product: Mobile or digital wallet
Issue: Fraud or scam

Complaint:
I began an online conversation with who I thought was a Dog breeder and they had a puppy for sale that I was interesting in period though the communication seemed fairly normal they asked me to fill out information about myself our home etc. Their website stated that they worked with the airlines and shipping company often to ship dogs. They asked for us to sign a contract and we did and they signed it and  they gave us an address and phone number. I did XXXX their phone number to make sure it came up in XXXX and it did. After signing the contract they ask for payment through Their website stated that they worked with the airlines and shipping company often to ship dogs. They asked for us to sign a contract and we did and they signed it and they gave us an address and phone number. I did XXXX their phone number to make sure it came up in XXXX and it did. After signing the contract they ask for payment through Zelle. I had never used Zelle But I have a checking account through XXXX XXXX that I use daily and I see the Zelle information on my navigation bar all the time so I felt comfortable signing up for it. They told me once payment was made in full they would send shipping information as well as tracking numbers. They gave me their Zell handle and I sent the money to them. It was {$820.00}. I spoke with him the next morning via email and they said they would be sending  along shipping and tracking shortly after not hearing from them for several hours I decided to call and they did answer the phone and I stated who I waz and they said yes were getting the shipping information right now and will get back to in 20 minutes. Lo and behold 20 minutes later I had shipping in tracking information. My husband went on to this shipping company and I spoke with him the next morning via email and they said they would be sending along shipping and tracking shortly after not hearing from them for several hours I decided to call and they did answer the phone and I stated who I waz and they said yes were getting the shipping information right now and will get back to in 20 minutes. Lo and behold 20 minutes later I had shipping in tracking information. My husband went on to this shipping company and tracked The puppy And everything Looked ok. The real issue began when I woke up early in the morning in anticipation of receiving the puppy that day and checked my email and the shipping company was a big scan and so wasn't the person I gave my money to. The shipping company was sending frantic emails asking me for XXXX more dollars to get the puppy to the next leg of the trip. Obviously in heightened concern my husband called the airlines which was XXXX XXXX and top to them only to find out they were no puppies on any of the flights that were given to us. Zelle doesn't stand by there transactions and I am shocked by that. Given the current economic climate and Coronavirus this is certainly not the time to lose {$820.00}. I was purchasing a puppy because we suddenly had to put our dog down and I felt as though we really needed the company in our home. This was all very disturbing and very heartbreaking. This website XXXX   Should be shut down in these people should be prosecuted. I am certain I am not the only one. They were answering their phone as early as the morning that this situation happened. I have the information that they gave me including a phone number and my signed contract.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation