Consumer complaint received 2025-10-07 00:00:00
Product: Money transfer, virtual currency, or money service — Mobile or digital wallet
Issue: Fraud or scam — 
Company: Paypal Holdings, Inc
State: FL

Complaint narrative:
I was trying to acquire a puppy and saw on on a XXXX XXXX XXXX page. XXXX XXXX was allegedly selling her litter of pure bred XXXX XXXX. She even had people posting pictures of puppies over the last couple weeks received by this person. I reached out and we had the normal back and forth preliminary questions. Once we decided to move forward, this person required a {$300.00} deposit for us to come from XXXX, FL to XXXX XXXX, FL to pick out and pick up our puppy on Tuesday, the XXXX. I didn't like having to pay it up front but I was advised it was totally refundable in the event we didn't pick a dog that day. Well after a couple unsuccessful attempts at this transaction, it did go through, however I had voiced my suspicions, that she calmed by sending videos and assuring us she was legitimate. Upon receiving the paperwork to move from her for the bill of sale, I saw a clause requiring an additional {$200.00} to acquire vet records, which I tried to pay after griping that wasn't disclosed but thankfully those transactions were not successful. She agreed I could bring the balance of {$400.00} for the puppy when we picked it up in person. The next morning, I receive a lengthy message advising she's had a family emergency and took it upon herself to set up a shipment of this puppy using a delivery service with XXXX XXXX XXXX and provided a tracking number that was associated with her supposed address as well as my for the delivery location. Upon researching, this website XXXX  seems fishy as well. There is no working phone number and the chat bot says it's " Sleeping '' and to try back later. I was not happy and told her I would have preferred at least a phone call and we could have scheduled pick up for another day. The person that was supposedly taking care of this courier service called me because he couldn't reach the shipper to advise that {$350.00} for an insurance payment was required to deliver the puppy, which I refused to pay. They would not make the delivery, even though they didn't settle this with the shipper upon drop-off, if that ever even took place. I tried all day to reach XXXX but she didn't come online to her chat until XXXX XXXX  CST to advise that I could use her cash to pay the deposit but I would not based on the ill communication of the person and website of the courier service. I was not going to risk paying some other sketchy service, then never receive a puppy! She advised she had already spent my {$300.00} so could not provide the refund as promised, then turns around to ask for an additional {$150.00} to cancel the shipment for us to pick up her dog! I told her I was going to file a report to which she said, " Go ahead and file a report. '' I am heartbroken and the money is a slim loss compared to what I've experienced. I can't believe XXXX allows business pages that are totally illegitimate. I want to prevent others from going through this same type of thing. If someone requires money up front, do not engage!!

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation