Consumer complaint received 2025-11-07 00:00:00
Product: Money transfer, virtual currency, or money service — Mobile or digital wallet
Issue: Fraud or scam — 
Company: WELLS FARGO & COMPANY
State: CA

Complaint narrative:
On the evening of XX/XX/year>, I contacted XXXX  to purchase a XXXX  puppy named XXXX. XXXX email, myself and XXXX XXXX arranged the purchase of the puppy for {$500.00}. XXXX gave me a 40 % discount on the puppy because XXXX 's mom was expecting another litter and he wanted to expedite the purchase. XXXX indicated the puppy was located in MN but they could arrange shipment to CA for {$150.00}. I paid XXXX {$650.00}. that evening, using XXXX XXXX  through my Wells Fargo Debit Card.

On the morning of XX/XX/XXXX, I was contacted by XXXX because they were arranging the transport of the puppy. They indicated that the puppy was at the airport but that I would have to rent a crate to ship the puppy for {$780.00}. They said they would reimburse me {$750.00}. once the delivery of the puppy was successful. I then paid them {$780.00}. using XXXX XXXX on my Wells Fargo Debit Card again. I was then contacted again by XXXX indicating I had to purchase insurance for the puppy because the puppy couldn't travel without it. They indicated that would cost another {$500.00}. I stopped here and contacted Wells Fargo. ( XXXX XXXX kept contacting me saying that my puppy was ready to board but they would have to leave her behind because I was the ONLY one that had not paid ). 

With minutes of paying the {$780.00}. I contacted Wells Fargo and advised that I believed I was defrauded, they were kind and took my information and said I should also contact XXXX XXXX I then contacted XXXX XXXX. XXXX XXXX indicated that Wells Fargo was responsible because they ( XXXX XXXX ) were merely a platform used for payment. XXXX XXXX indicated they would 'make a note ' to warn others but that was all they could do. The next day Wells Fargo contacted me and advised that they couldn't do anything because XXXX XXXX is responsible. 

I then personally visited Wells Fargo and they said they couldn't do anything because I used XXXXXXXX XXXX  and not XXXX and because I used a debit card and not a credit card. Saying that using XXXXXXXX XXXX  is like using cash. ( But so is XXXX no? ) They said they would forward my concerns to their executive office. Their executive also declined my request for a refund and for filing a fraud case. 

Both Wells Fargo and XXXX XXXX are saying the other is responsible and both say they can't do anything. I contacted Wells Fargo right after the {$780.00}. payment. Why was a charge back not possible within minutes of the transaction? I don't understand because all this is digital. I did not pay cash!. 

Both companies are saying the other is responsible and neither of them will arrange any type of refund and neither will take a fraud report. 

Each company is blaming the other and I'm stuck in the middle. I was defrauded by a puppy selling company and a puppy shipping company that apparently has existed for a very long time and STILL exists! I'm sure there are many more victims and since it is ALL digital why doesn't each company flag other potential victims prior to approving any transaction? 

Help?

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