Consumer complaint received 2023-04-03
Company: WELLS FARGO & COMPANY
State: NJ
Product: Checking or savings account
Sub-product: Other banking product or service
Issue: Managing an account
Sub-issue: Problem making or receiving payments

Complaint:
I served on the XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX ( XXXX ) beginning XX/XX/XXXX thru XX/XX/XXXX. I stepped down as XXXX, and began serving as the XXXX XXXX ( XXXX PM ) XX/XX/XXXX. 

XXXX had 3 accounts with Wells Fargo. I have been overseeing these accounts since XX/XX/XXXX. As far as I can tell, we ( XXXX & XXXX PM ) have began having issues with Wells Fargo, and email accounts in XX/XX/XXXX. My new property management company banks with XXXX. We are paid by XXXX via XXXX payments monthly. 

The first payment to XXXX XXXX XXXX was XX/XX/XXXX. There were 2 handwritten checks : check # XXXX {$2100.00} XXXX payment, and check # XXXX for {$500.00} on-boarding fee as per contract. See exhibit G ( top of page ). 

All subsequent payments to XXXX PM from XXXX Wells Fargo bank accounts were set up XXXX monthly recurring. 

The XX/XX/XXXX XXXX payment was sent XX/XX/XXXX. ( See exhibit XXXX ) Incidentally, on XX/XX/XXXX a paper check was also issued via bill pay ( Exhibit XXXX XXXX lighted ). This check from XXXX Wells Fargo account was issued from XXXX PM ( using my home address ) to XXXX PM ( using my business address ). This check went unnoticed, and was unknowingly deposited back into XXXX Wells Fargo account along with other checks received on XX/XX/XXXX ( See exhibit XXXX ; for deposit details see page # XXXX ). 

On XX/XX/XXXX, the normal ACH payment was made to XXXX PM ( See exhibit C ). Then on XX/XX/XXXX, an electronic check was sent to XXXX PM ( via bill pay ) again using my home address from XXXX PM using my business address ( See exhibit XXXX ). This check was deposited back into Wellsfargo XX/XX/XXXX via Bank teller ( See exhibit A & page XXXX for details ). This is when these bill pay payments first came to my attention. I went into the branch, and asked a teller who then called a supervisor. We were all puzzled. They said it was just a glitch. 

I went home, and combed through the XXXX WellsFargo account, and noticed the bill pay check on XX/XX/XXXX. I pulled up the check for details, and immediately called the number written on the front of the check. A WellsFargo rep, and I spent quite a bit of time on the phone trying to figure out how this happened. She deleted the bill pay at this time. I submitted a claim for both bill pay checks. 

This same day, I notified XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX about the situation, I explained that I had filed a claim with Wells Fargo for each check. 

At the same time, XXXX was locked out of her email account, and could not get in. As the XXXX, I did everything to assist her, but she was not able to log in from any of her devices. XXXX suspended her account because of an illegal login attempt. There was an IP address with the notice. I traced it to an address in Florida ( see attached ). I, too, begin receiving warnings from XXXX about suspicious sign in attempts. At first, I thought these were two separate incidents, but then concluded this had to be a cyber attack. 

Could this be connected with Wells Fargo, and the XXXX payments scandal? Both of our email accounts were linked to XXXX payments from homeowners. 



XXXX and I contacted the attorney, and sent documentation via email. Next, we both tried to notify the other XXXX XXXX. Unfortunately, they didnt take this threat serious. In fact, the XXXX begin sending a flood of emails with accusations that perhaps, I was the culprit. 

The attorney agreed we should close the Bank Accounts, and shut down the emails to mitigate any damage. However, the XXXX insisted the accounts and emails remain open. Because my name was associated with these accounts, I took the attorneys advice. 

A few days later there was a XXXX meeting which I was excluded. XXXX was not given the opportunity to explain, and I was not allowed to attend. The XXXX removed XXXX XXXX. I resigned, but continue to investigate Wells Fargo. I filed a police report in addition to the claims with Wells Fargo. Im not sure whats going on. I keep getting transferred from one department to the next. 

This past weekend, I was talking to a friend about whats going in. She told me about Wells Fargo XXXX involving XXXX XXXX and XXXX years ago. I watched the videos on XXXX, and believe this may be what happened to these Wells Fargo accounts. 

After I closed all XXXX Wells Fargo accounts, my husband and I received separate postcards in the mail from Wells Fargo stating our address has been updated on our mortgage account. The problem is, we dont have a mortgage with Wells Fargo! I reached out to Wells Fargo, and they said they dont have a record of this mailing it was probably a glitch

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