Consumer complaint received 2022-03-02
Company: WELLS FARGO & COMPANY
State: CA
Product: Checking or savings account
Sub-product: Checking account
Issue: Managing an account
Sub-issue: Deposits and withdrawals

Complaint:
On XX/XX/XXXX my husband, XXXX XXXX, deposited a check from XXXX XXXX in the amount of {$9800.00} dated XX/XX/XXXX. The check was written to my former last name, XXXX, as my name change, XXXX, took place on XX/XX/XXXX. I made the bank aware that I XXXX have a couple more checks under my XXXX name, in which I was told they would honor them during the transition. The teller instructed my husband to write XXXX next to XXXX on the payee line causing check modification, which is not legal. My husband did as he was told and added the name and deposited the check. The next morning the check had cleared and posted to my account, funds were available. Then almost 4 days later on XX/XX/XXXX I went to make a withdrawal and to my surprise, my account was negative and the check had been reversed leaving my account $ XXXX ( +/- ). Due to recent XXXX XXXXXXXX getting around was often difficult. I went to my online account and the reason said XXXX to XXXX. I called Wells Fargo Customer service on XX/XX/XXXX inquiring about my account. The gentleman I spoke with said he couldn't see a reason for the reversal and to go into the branch and speak with them. The following day I when trying to reach XXXX XXXX I was informed of his passing, which took place on XX/XX/XXXX. On XX/XX/XXXX my husband and I went to the Wells Fargo XXXX located at XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX, CA XXXX and spoke with a banker. While looking at my account, she wasn't able to see anything. She made a phone call and she proceeded to tell me it was returned for NSF ( non sufficient funds ). I was directed to go to XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX bank, and speak with them. The following day I went to XXXXXXXX XXXX and spoke with a teller, she informed me that unless I had a check she wasn't able to provide any information on the account. I called Wells Fargo XXXX XXXX a couple times a couple of times and told if the check clears and posts to my account as available funds then the bank can not reverse the check. I did not receive XXXX call about the check, XXXX discovered it on my own when at the ATM. On XX/XX/XXXX I received a substitute check in the mail in the original amount {$9800.00} and went to the bank and made another deposit using the substitute check. Yesterday, XX/XX/XXXX I received a call from Wells Fargo stating the check was not legal check, it was fraud. I informed her that a wells Fargo teller directed my husband to modify/alter the check adding the last name XXXX on the payee line. I also proceed to tell her that there was an XXXX XXXX signed and dated XX/XX/XXXX. I have attached that agreement as well as a copy of the substitute check. 

Wells Fargo made no attempt to notify me and has knowingly given false statements about the check due to there lack of accountability. 
As of now I am out {$4000.00}, all of this has cause major financial hardships for me such as : Credit score ( will continue to go down ) Credits cards can not be paid At risk of losing my rental car Utility bill linked to my account Cell phone bill linked All subscriptions linked Large loss of money for non refundable deposits for equipment w/balance owed Account - {$1000.00} XXXX XXXX at risk of being denied I am at a loss for words at the incompetent, dishonest and inappropriate actions displayed by Wells Fargo XXXX This is not the first time Wells Fargo has rejected a dispute of mine, which I had undoubtedly hard proof to validate my dispute. I have lost well over {$1500.00} prior to this and now they have taken everything without hesitation or a simple phone call to rectify the situation. Regardless of anything, Wells Fargo has no authority to direct my husband to alter the check. Wells Fargo needs to assume responsibility for the funds and issue a check to me for not only the {$9800.00} but for all the late fees I'm accuring, pain and suffering my family is going thru because of this. I also want a letter taken accountability so the XXXX may reconsider my application.Damages in total to date approx {$16000.00}.

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