Consumer complaint received 2023-11-17
Company: WELLS FARGO & COMPANY
State: TX
Product: Checking or savings account
Sub-product: Checking account
Issue: Problem caused by your funds being low
Sub-issue: Overdrafts and overdraft fees

Complaint:
In XXXX I was XXXX XXXX XXXX a XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX starting my XXXXXXXX XXXX job at XXXX. Also, opened my first Checking and Saving account with Wells Fargo because it was right across the street from my job and school. I was only working XXXX hours a week, so I didn't have much money anyway but I was using my money for school events and XXXX XXXX, etc.I would keep my debit card locked to make sure to stop any unexpected charges, and I didn't have the money in the account to pay and didn't want any fees.I would literally stand at the checkout to purchase something and would get the total before unlocking my debit card and immediately lock it back. 
However, if charges like streaming companies like XXXX, XXXX and even my XXXX monthly subscription that were attached to my debit card would attempt to charge me would the card was still locked Wells Fargo would allow the charges to hit my account. Wells Fargo would post the larger charges to hit first taking my account farther in the negative and not pay whatever that originalcharge by returning it and then charging me a {$33.00} NSF for each charge.The NSF total charges would be, in most cases, higher than the amount for the original transactions all together. My account stayed in the negative before my check was direct deposited repeatedly week after week. And some merchants send the same transaction repeatedly to see if the money was in the account. XXXX would send the same charge 3 or 4 days in a row and I was charged a {$33.00} NSF each time. I called Wells Fargo Customer Service : asked why the charges are even hitting my account if my debit card is locked and they could see my debit card stayed locked.I was told Wells Fargo allow the transactions to go through as a courtesy for me to add money to cover the charges but that is the reason I locked the card in the first place. I knew I wouldn't have the money until my payday. My direct deposit was eaten up by all the NSF fees and there was nothing I could do about it, my money was gone before I could see it. 
I was with Wells Fargo for over 2 years and they charged me, at least, {$1500.00} in that NSF fees and when I closed my account to go to another bank, I received a check from Wells Fargo for {$100.00} stating they were refunding a couple of my NSF charges. I didn't know what to do ; I was young so I let it go and closed my account to go to another bank. I am now XXXX and I saw something to highlight companies questionable and unethical practices to file a complaint with CFPB. Also, finding out Wells Fargo has been doing the same thing to other customers and getting away with it. I don't know the statues of limitation on this to see if I can get my money back. Of course, I would love to get it it back but also be another person to voice their business practices.

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