Consumer complaint received 2021-10-08
Company: WELLS FARGO & COMPANY
State: SC
Product: Money transfer, virtual currency, or money service
Sub-product: Traveler's check or cashier's check
Issue: Fraud or scam

Complaint:
I started job searching through ( digital application ) for a remote job position because I just graduated from XXXX XXXX  this last fall. I received a job interview through the app from XXXX XXXX which is based in XXXX, XXXX. The company set up the interview through XXXX where we communicated since XX/XX/XXXX. The company offered me the job as XXXX XXXX and my salary would be {$22.00} an hour during training and {$34.00} following the weeks after training. I quit my part time job for this full time position and I accepted it through email ( XXXX ). I signed the offer letter, completed the I-9 form, W-4 form, Code of Conduct Business form, and the Direct Deposit Authorization form XXXX This means they have my social security number and banking information. After completing the forms, I continued to do the assigned task for training where the company stated I will be paid for during my first week of payment. The hiring manager that I was communicating with, went by the name of XXXX XXXX. The company sent me a check on XX/XX/XXXX for the equipment and it was put on hold by Wells Fargo and I contacted them after a few days and it was returned because of the signature on the back. XXXX then asked me to use XXXX, XXXX  XXXX, or XXXX XXXX to send me the money but I did not go through with it. The company sent a check via email a few days later after consistently asking what was the hold up on receiving the information and after I kept attempting to set up a XXXX  or video chat call. The company stalled and stated their schedule contained 8 meetings back to back and they will fit me in. After receiving the check, I was instructed to deposit the check through my bank. I proceeded with the training task and they asked me to pay for the activation portal which was {$300.00} while I wait for the funding to be approved by their financial departments and I will be reimbursed through my first check. I only had {$200.00} for the activation and sent the money to the company via XXXX XXXX  and bitcoin. The company then sent two more task with payments attached to them and stated I will be sent the money with the first check. I was not able to acquire the {$100.00} so the company sent me a check in the mail for my equipment and activation and tasks payments on Friday, XX/XX/2021 for {$4800.00}. They told me to deposit the check immediately into my account to help the process go faster to order my equipment and synchronization for the applications ( XXXX and XXXX ) and the activation portal. The also asked for my username and passwords for the apps and emails. They deleted some of the emails they sent and locked me out of the apps. I contacted the applications and they have closed the account for one of them. The email is completely reset but I retrieved all of the emails and information. When arriving to the bank to deposit the check on Saturday, XX/XX/2021. I spoke with the teller inside the bank of Wells Fargo and asked her to look over the check to make sure it was not fraudulent or suspicious. The banker stated the check was good to go and and that it will be deposited into my account. The check was deposited and {$400.00} was available immediately and the rest was available the next morning. The company asked for proof of check and deposit and I sent them pictures of the receipts and they told me I needed to send the funding to 3 people ( XXXX XXXX ( Wells Fargo Checking Account ( Bank Name : Wells Fargo ), XXXX XXXX ( Wells Fargo XXXX Account ), and a bitcoin wallet for my equipment, synchronization, and activation. After sending the money through my bank, I got suspicious because it did not seem right although I have never had a remote position before. Although the check went through, I decided to contact the bank where the check came from ( XXXX XXXX XXXX  ) on Tuesday, XX/XX/2021. I spoke with XXXX from the bank and he was not aware of the company that gave me the job and they investigated the check information I provided. They stated the check as a bad check and it was returned to them. The company on the check was XXXX XXXX XXXX and they did not know anything about XXXX XXXX. The banker advised me to contact the my bank ( Wells Fargo ) to see if I am able to retrieve the funding from the imposters of XXXX. I filed 4 claims for the total of {$4800.00} through Wells Fargo, XXXX, XXXX XXXX Money Order. The company sent another check for the laptop, scanner, photocopier, and printer for {$8300.00} and I also received a letter with the check stating I need to email my account information, the retrieval of the funds, and how it will be used. The email provided is XXXX. I did not deposit this check and went into Wells Fargo and it is a fraudulent check. They were able to locate the funds and the accounts that are scamming myself and a few others. I have all of the messages, emails, application, images and proof of the letters, funding, checks, and addresses sent from the XXXX Technologies scammers.

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