Consumer complaint received 2023-01-31
Company: WELLS FARGO & COMPANY
State: CA
Product: Checking or savings account
Sub-product: Savings account
Issue: Managing an account
Sub-issue: Problem making or receiving payments

Complaint:
On XXXX XXXX  I received my first written check from my employer. I was just recently hired and I was informed that I would be receiving checks for the first XXXX pay periods before I would get my paycheck via direct deposit. After I received this check, I went on to deposit it into my savings account at Wells Fargo via mobile deposit. I was then informed that there would be a hold on the check, due to verification. 
On the day of XXXX XXXX XXXX, I received XXXX alerts via email that Wells Fargo will schedule to close down my checking and savings accounts with them on XXXX XXXX XXXX, due to a fraudulent check I deposited into my savings account. I then called the fraud ( loss prevention ) department at Wells Fargo and they informed me that I deposited a fraudulent check, because they could not verify who owns the account from which the check originated. After being on the phone with Wells Fargo for about 45 minutes, they informed me that I would need a notarized letter from my employer, stating that proof of issuance of the check to me from them. I then informed my employer of the matter, and my employer and I went to their banking location XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX, XXXX # XXXX ) to address this matter. The branch manager at this location explained to my employer and I that this situation is very uncommon, and Wells Fargo would just need to contact XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX to verify funds of the check before issuing payment into my savings account. The branch manager explained to his customer, my employer, that he does not need to give personal information to Wells Fargo to verify who owns the account, just verification of funds. I then called Wells Fargo again inside this bank to give them this information per the XXXX XXXX XXXX branch manager. They spoke with this manager and came to no resolve. I was transferred to the Wells Fargo executive manager on the phone, who instructed me to go into a Wells Fargo branch with my employer to verify the check to resolve the matter.

My employer and I then went to a Wells Fargo branch and informed them of the situation. The banker who assisted us then went to the back of the building to sort the situation out. When another employee asked her what she was doing, she replied loudly ( loud enough for other customers in the building ) that my accounts were flagged as fraud because of a check. After about 20 minutes, she then came out from the office she was in and informed me and my employer that the check was flagged as fraudulent and that my employer needs to provide proof that he is the owner of the account that the check was written out from. My employer then provided his California identification ( Drivers License ) and explained to the banker that his bank told him that this should not be necessary. She then went to the office again for a brief period and came back to us to state that the fraud department is now closed ( the time is XXXX ) and she would get back to us via phone the next business day. 
I have attempted to contact this banker via email and phone number, and as of now, she has not responded to my email, or message I left for her via another banker at her location. 
I believe Wells Fargo targeted me, due to my XXXX  heritage, and I also believe that I am being discriminated against. I would like to ask for assistance regarding this matter, as I have been banking with Wells Fargo for almost a decade, and I am very disheartened that I am being treated this way. I am a California XXXX XXXX, who is trying to make an honest living, and I should not have to be discriminated against for depositing a check into my bank account.

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