Consumer complaint received 2021-02-20
Company: WELLS FARGO & COMPANY
State: CA
Product: Credit card or prepaid card
Sub-product: General-purpose credit card or charge card
Issue: Advertising and marketing, including promotional offers
Sub-issue: Confusing or misleading advertising about the credit card

Complaint:
Due to my good credit score and history Ive been receiving many offers from banks etc.for credit cards. On XX/XX/XXXX I called Wells Fargo to apply for a credit card after receiving many solicitations. The offer was for a zero interest for18 months no interest on purchases and balance transfers. When I spoke to their rep I made it clear I was planning to transfer {$1800.00} to the card from another higher interest card. I also asked them specifically if they were going to be able to make a decision on my application in a timely manner. They said yes in 48-72 hrs. XX/XX/21 : After waiting nearly 3 weeks and calling them several times for a status report, I forced escalation for a decision. I was told I was denied due to a lack of proof of employment, even though Im anXX/XX/XXXX whos been temporarily displaced by the pandemic until its safe for me to return. The fact is I have some XXXX issues and I cant afford to take any chances right now. While I will not deny that Im upset about their decision, Im more disturbed by the distortion, deceit and outright lies I was told along the way down this misguided, wayward wandering and meandering path to what should have been a simple decision in 48-72 hrs as promised. The lies included telling me they called and left a message about additional requirements. My phone records indicate no call or message ever existed. Seriously? Please dont attempt to insult my intelligence with lies and distortion that I can prove are not truthful ... .disgraceful. 
Specifically heres a summary of my personal interactions with Wells Fargo : XX/XX/21 - credit card application filed via phone Told decision would take 48-72 hrs XX/XX/21 - called Wells Fargo after 5 days and no correspondence from them as promised. After being jerked around for more than 10 minutes with a representative that I had a very difficult time communicating with, and a lot of fumbling and bumbling and distortion, I was told they were still looking at the application? Once again I was told it would probably be a few more business days XX/XX/21 - called Wells Fargo credit to get a status report after more than 10 days with no communication from them. Once again a very strange disorganized and dysfunctional call where my WF rep suddenly claimed to not hear me and we were cut off somehow? I called back and was told by the rep that I now needed to provide 3 months of bank statements - which I submitted that day at the Wells Fargo bank branch XXXX, Ca with the help of a bank employee XX/XX/21 - called Wells Fargo again after no correspondence from them. The agent indicated they were still looking into it and might have more questions? At this point Im frustrated and ready for closure on the matter. 
I ask that a decision be made by next day - after waiting more than 18 calendar days for an answer that I thought was going to take a few days at most XX/XX/21 - called Wells Fargo. After waiting a long time I asked to escalate the matter to the proper department for final decision. After 38 minutes and several iterations of my rep/agent speaking back and forth to the underwriter I was told that my application was not ready? Specifically there was an issue with my stated annual income that they could not verify or something? I told them for the 4th time Im an XXXX XXXX and Ive been temporarily displaced by the pandemic. I was told they were not ready to go forward. At this point I was livid and I told them to please cancel my application. It seems nonsensical to me that Id be met with so many obstacles when its never happened to me before. In fact Ive gotten instant approval from other banks and creditors recently. I have a total debt profile of XXXX and a XXXX FICO and more than XXXX of liquid assets which I planned to leverage for better interest rates. Seemed simple and straightforward to me ... or so I thought. While I understood my acceptance was discretionary and their offer non-binding, what I take issue with is their repeated efforts to solicit XXXX XXXX. Obviously my credit profile and status was clearly targeted when they did this. Furthermore I was forced to provide my financial statements, which I now feel I need to worry about as I dont trust this institution at all. 
Fact is I currently have 5 similar offers from other banks/creditors that I could have chosen - several of which are pre-qualified. However Im most upset that my credit score has suffered with this credit inquiry because I chose the wrong offer from a bad bank and now Ill have to absorb the consequences. Take two ... 
Im writing because Ive never felt so disgusted degraded disgraced and humiliated due to a ( repeated ) lack of professionalism and incompetence. I want others to know about my experiences dealing with these sidewinders so they might avoid this institution at all cost as I should have done. Obviously their history of consumer complaints, financial indiscretions and improprieties which have led to big fines and penalties should have been a clue to avoid them but honestly I never expected it to be this bad of an experience. Trust me it was the worst. They are bad news in my opinion. Buyer beware. Do your business with a more reputable financial institution with integrity. I can assure you Ill never attempt to do business with these clowns again.

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