Consumer complaint received 2019-07-03
Company: Early Warning Services, LLC
State: UT
Product: Money transfer, virtual currency, or money service
Sub-product: Domestic (US) money transfer
Issue: Fraud or scam

Complaint:
On XX/XX/2019, I agreed to purchase tickets from a seller on XXXX. I initially texted the seller at approximately XXXX XXXX that day asking if they still had the concert tickets available. They said they did and we negotiated about the price. He agreed to sell me tickets for the price of {$120.00} per ticket, and I was going to purchase 2 tickets. The seller had told me that the tickets would be transferred through the XXXX website portal. I provided them with my name and email address in order to complete this process. They provided proof of purchase on the tickets and ensured everything was ready to go with the transfer. I have used the XXXX online transfer feature before, so I was trusting that I would receive the tickets. 

The seller then requested that I pay them using the money transfer app " Zelle. '' Through Zelle, money is automatically sent through your bank. Again, I have used Zelle before so I assumed that it would be a secure way to make the purchase. The seller provided me with their email address ( XXXX ) so that I could send them the money. I sent them the {$250.00} for the concert tickets ( {$120.00} per ticket x 2 ). I received confirmation that the money was transferred, and the seller told me they would transfer the tickets as soon as they received confirmation. 

They claimed that the status of the payment was shown as " pending '' on their end, and they hit cancel on the payment. They told me that because we had never done a transaction with each other before, the bank was holding the money. The seller then requested that I try sending the payment in smaller amounts instead. I was very suspicious of this request. I did some research and discovered that Zelle payments are automatic and can not be cancelled. I told the seller this and they promised that they had not received my payment. 

I asked for them to transfer the tickets to me, and then I would try sending payment again. They insisted that I send payment first. I told them I would instead try sending just {$5.00} to see if they received that before sending full payment. They confirmed that the {$5.00} went through, so I requested they transfer me the tickets like they said they would. The seller once again asked I pay first. 

At this point I was very suspicious and was not willing to send anymore money. I told them I was not comfortable transferring additional money until I received the tickets. They ensured me that they were legitimate and told me they would not try to scam me because their mother had just died. I asked the seller if we could meet in person so that I could ensure the tickets were transferred. They told me that they were located in XXXX, Maryland and I told them that I was in Washington, D.C. I suggested we meet somewhere in the middle. 

At first they agreed, but then once again tried to get me to just transfer them the money through Zelle. I told them I would prefer to meet in person to continue the transaction. The seller told me that they had an aunt in the D.C. area who would be willing to meet me and transfer the tickets to me. I agreed and asked what time and location would work for her. A few hours passed with no response from the seller. 

I then sent them another text asking if they could just post the tickets to the XXXX seller marketplace, so then I could securely purchase them through there. That way, the transfer of goods and money would be done simultaneously. They told me that by doing that they still wouldn't receive the money for 3-5 days, so it had to be through Zelle. At that point, I knew it was a scam and called both Zelle customer service, and XXXX customer service ( the bank I use. ) Both representative informed me that since I had initiated the transaction, nothing could be done to recover my funds. I do not believe this is right. Due to the fact that I paid for a good/service that was not received, this is considered theft. I am writing to complain of this instance of theft where nothing has been done to help me get my money back. A total of {$250.00} was stolen from me, and the seller is no longer replying to messages or phone calls. 

I have written a letter of dispute for the charge to XXXX XXXX, filed a police report for theft, filed a complaint with econsumer.gov, and called Zelle multiple times. There has still been no action taken to reclaim the money that was stolen from me, or go after the scammer. I have also informed the scammer of my actions and requested that they send back the money they took from me. I would appreciate any assistance in resolving this matter.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation