Consumer complaint received 2025-07-16 00:00:00
Product: Money transfer, virtual currency, or money service — Domestic (US) money transfer
Issue: Fraud or scam — 
Company: WELLS FARGO & COMPANY
State: CA

Complaint narrative:
I received a XXXX notification on XX/XX/XXXX through my email as I have notifications turned on. It was for a place located at XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX  XXXX. It was listed for $ XXXX and available XX/XX/XXXX. I requested an application on XXXX website and received a text message from a XXXX XXXX XXXX inquiring about my application request. He asked me what I did for a living, my annual income, if I was a smoker or drinker. He then sent me a link for an online application and asked me to send {$75.00} through XXXX to XXXX. I completed XXXX and sent him payment receipt and completed application ( which did not ask for SSN to verify criminal or credit score ). A couple hours later, he texted again saying I was approved and wanted me to be tenant. He asked for the security deposit to hold the home until I https : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Page XXXX of XXXX could do a tour on XX/XX/XXXX. I agreed and he sent me information for a wire transfer through Wells Fargo to a XXXX XXXX which he stated was his wife. I completed the wire transfer through XXXX XXXX  on XX/XX/XXXX. My bank contacted me to notify me of possible scam/fraud but stated if he sent me a security deposit letter signed or a signed lease to show proof, than the bank would submit. He sent me a signed security deposit letter signed only by XXXX XXXX not myself and I submitted to bank. He continued to text all throughout day and night asking to send a receipt. Texts at XXXX, XXXX, XXXX, continued. He was very angry and kept asking me to send confirmation of receipt and why was I making this so di! icult. This continued throughout the weekend and I ended up asking if it was a scam. He became more angry stating he is a XXXX fearing XXXX and would never scam, etc. On Monday, he asked again for receipt which my bank provided and I sent him a screenshot. At this point, he said his lawyer would reach out for signed lease agreement. A XXXX XXXX emailed me and texted me saying Madam and asking for first months rent. He said he talked it over with his client and wife and they would not let me see the unit unless I paid $ XXXX more for first months rent. I said I would not submit additional funding without signed agreements. I was then sent a lease agreement signed by XXXX XXXX and a signed residential agreement signed by XXXX XXXX and XXXX said the first months rent would be paid to him, not the Whitfields. At this point, both parties were texting very angrily and kept stating they never received the security deposit. XXXX then demanded I pay a pet deposit of {$250.00} on Monday XX/XX/XXXX which was the first time he had ever stated this would also be required. I then stated I would like to tour the place and meet in person before sending any more money. He got very mad, texts turned green, and stated that I am not allowed to see the property unless I send the first months rent or pet deposit. I asked at this time for the security deposit to be sent back immediately and have received no response from XXXX. XXXX response was, I never received you deposit so you should stop texting me. This is when I decided it was 100 % a scam and I reported it to my bank. My bank then directed me to file a local police report, a report to FTC, and a report through this system. I will also be reporting the ad on XXXX although it was removed right when I was approved on XX/XX/XXXX. But have record of the listing and my request for application/documents/texts, etc.

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