Consumer complaint received 2019-06-06
Company: WELLS FARGO & COMPANY
State: CA
Product: Checking or savings account
Sub-product: Checking account
Issue: Managing an account
Sub-issue: Cashing a check

Complaint:
Hello, I have information that may help your case. I read an article by XXXX XXXX " Banking While XXXX ''. I too was discriminated against while trying to cash a check at Wells Fargo. I think this incident may establish a pattern of XXXX and/or an environment of XXXX XXXX check cashing policies and procedures. I have an XXXX in XXXX and a XXXX in XXXX XXXX ( XXXX, XXXX ). I interned with XXXX as a XXXX XXXX. All of my checks were direct deposited into my Wells Fargo checking account except for the last one. At the time XXXX 's payroll checks were drawn on a Wells Fargo account. I went to the Wells Fargo branch on XXXX XXXX and XXXX XXXX in XXXX, CA to cash my check. I was on my way to the gym so I was wearing sweat pants and t-shirt ( apparently I need to wear a suit and tie when cashing my check ). Everything went fine as I was attempting to cash my check, the bank teller was very kind and polite. He informed me that he needed to obtain approval from his supervisor because of the size of the check. His supervisor, a young Caucasian women, looked at me in disbelief and proceeded to give me the fifth degree line of questioning. She asked if I worked for XXXX twice, if it was a real check, what I did for them ( she didn't believe that I was a XXXX XXXX - I am XXXX and XXXX American and apparently XXXX would never hire someone of my XXXX background ), where I went to school at, what I majored in, she even asked if I was a janitor, etc. I have never been treated like that while I was trying to cash my own check or any check by that matter. To this day I am still infuriated by that experience. I almost dropped out of school because of that experience ( I thought what good is a degree if I can't even cash a check from my employer ). When I went to cash my check I had the XXXX envelope addressed to my house, I had an account with Wells Fargo, I had a valid driver 's license, the check from XXXX was issued by Wells Fargo. It was unbelievable. If she would have bothered to look at my account history she would have seen six direct deposits from XXXX into my account. Eventually, after about 10 minutes of questioning, she went and got the bank manager who took one look at my account and cashed my check and apologized. I tried to file a complaint with Wells Fargo corporate office, but I was basically given the run around. I don't know if XXXX still banks with Wells Fargo but I know they wouldn't be too pleased to learn that they are doing business with an organization that supports these practices. I would be more than happy to testify in this case or support this case in any way that you think would further Mr. XXXX 's cause. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions. 


Thank You, XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Date of occurrence : XXXX Check 1 : {$1400.00} Check 2 : {$430.00} Tried to pursue recourse with Wells Fargo complaint department. No action was taken by the offending company.

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