Consumer complaint received 2025-04-15 00:00:00
Product: Money transfer, virtual currency, or money service — Mobile or digital wallet
Issue: Fraud or scam — 
Company: Early Warning Services, LLC
State: TX

Complaint narrative:
I hired an apartment locator through a family friend as I was moving from XXXX XXXX XXXX for a new job. She provided me with her services ( locating apartment, applying, sending payments to leasing office, set up utilities, etc ). She was contracted XX/XX/year> with an expected move in date of XX/XX/year>. The first payment of {$220.00} was sent via XXXX XXXX  by me to the apartment locator for lights on XXXX XXXX. The next payment of {$220.00} for renter insurance with XXXX was sent via XXXX XXXX on XXXX XXXX. The XXXX payment was sent in the amount of {$150.00} via XXXX XXXX for amenity fees +parking on XXXX XXXX. The XXXX payment of {$1800.00} was sent via Zelle through XXXX on XXXX XXXX for initial move in costs ( first month 's rent, application fee, etc ). The XXXX payment of {$400.00} was sent via XXXX XXXX for the animal fee which was to be refunded because of service animal verification. The XXXX and final payment of {$550.00} was sent via XXXX XXXX for the deposit. A total of {$3600.00} was made to the individual via XXXX XXXX and Zelle. After all payments were made, I asked for receipts and copies of everything that was signed by the myself and the leasing office. After waiting all day and not hearing back, I began calling the individual to ask for my receipts and confirmation that I would be set to move in XX/XX/year>. I arrived in XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX with an expectation to move in the next day. After arriving, I learned that the apartment wasn't ready/the move in date had to be changed due to late payment. After repeated conversations of asking for communication with the lease officer and receipts, I never received any of it. When it came time for move in day on XX/XX/year>, I arrived to the leasing office expected to get my keys to only discover that the apartment I applied to, paid for, and paid rental insurance for, was still available on the market. I began calling the individual and to no avail, I did not receive a responses until 3 days later. The lease was never established, the rental insurance payment was kicked back, and I filed charges in both states against the individual. I learned that was she operating under false names, banks, and possibly social security information. I reported the information of the fraud/scam to both XXXX XXXX dispute center, XXXX Zelle XXXX and XXXX customer support. I provide documentation showcasing the fraud as well as police report. A temporary credit was provided for the {$400.00} payment but was then taken back by the company. No refunds were ever established and XXXXXXXX XXXX  stated they were not responsible for the claim, and I must take it up with my home bank ( XXXX ). XXXX claimed they were not responsible for the claim, and I must take it up with XXXX XXXX  There was no action taken by Zelle to return the money from the individuals bank institution nor could they provide me any information about the institution to where my funds were received. I tried calling the customer service number provided on the back of my cash app card, but never got an answer. This has been an ongoing dispute process. Both parties were in direct violation of The Electronic Fund Transfer Act ( EFTA ) by not properly investigating these transactions and ultimately ruling favor of their own company.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation