Consumer complaint received 2021-02-03
Company: WELLS FARGO & COMPANY
State: NC
Product: Money transfer, virtual currency, or money service
Sub-product: Domestic (US) money transfer
Issue: Fraud or scam

Complaint:
The name and account number listed in my text is not mine. 


On XX/XX/XXXX around XXXX  eastern, I got a call saying I won a major prize to call XXXX. On XX/XX/XXXX around XXXX eastern time, I called the toll free number and the recording said XXXX XXXX and I selected option 2 for suspected fraud. I used this option because someone I don't know named XXXX XXXX has been giving my phone number out as if it's her own. 

Spoke with XXXX XXXX his cell phone is XXXX and said his badge # is XXXX, he saw a name of XXXX XXXX and saw my name and my submissions. Told me I just won {$18.00} XXXX, {$500000.00} of this will be in cash the other in cashiers check. Plus {$10000.00} a week for life and a XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX  car. On XX/XX/XXXX, I first went to my bank and withdrew {$3700.00}. Then, I went to Wells Fargo and sent a direct deposit to XXXX XXXX, checking account number XXXX, XXXX, FL XXXX. XXXX assured me this is tax for the car which will be repaid to me when the car is delivered with the prize patrol. He named XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX and XXXX XXXX and added XXXX XXXX. 

Later in the day, he says the verification process couldn't be completed on XX/XX/XXXX for delivery that day. Also said, someone from the " main office '' would call me in a few minutes. I then got a call from XXXX XXXX saying my confirmation number was XXXX. I then gave it to XXXX, and later that day said all is verified the prizes will be delivered XX/XX/XXXX. He also asked if I had over {$5000.00} in a checking/saving account. I told him I didn't know and asked why he wanted to know. He then said in case their check bounces which puzzled me. My understanding was cashier checks are guaranteed funds. Lastly, he stated they will leave XXXX XXXX  and arrive around XXXX on Monday XX/XX/XXXX. When he gave me his cell number on XX/XX/XXXX he gave me the local main office number as XXXX. 

Please note, on Saturday XX/XX/XXXX, a police officer came to my door around XXXX  A call was received ( name withheld ) to say I might be a fraud victim. I told him at that time I was still unsure. He said if the person delays the prize to contact you. Today, I called him ( XXXX ) around XXXX XXXX and asked can I get cash in lieu of the car? He said yes, theyll hold the car and give me a waiver to sign so Ill get {$55000.00} for it. He said he was waiting on corp confirmation and called me back an hour later. He then came up with a clearly bogus reason for {$8800.00}. I said, what if I dont have it? He said Id have to go thru government approval for a sponsor and that will delay the prize. I said, I just gave you {$3700.00} and you want more for GOLD STAMP approval? I told him that doesnt sound reasonable. Then the call went silent and was dropped. Per XXXX XXXX XXXX/I immediately called XXXX fraud department at For Sweepstakes Scams misusing the XXXX XXXX XXXX name call : XXXX and spoke to XXXX. She filled her report, linking to FTC and police nationwide database and said to call local police. Since there was already a report filed, I emailed the chief of police on XX/XX/XXXX. 

On XX/XX/XXXX I met with Wells Fargo who filed a report about this situation. On XX/XX/XXXX I met with XXXX who said we can only wait to see if the stop payment is timely. On XX/XX/XXXX Detective XXXX of XXXX Police gave me case number XXXX. Since then, they have not been able to have Wells Fargo release/ refund me the money. On XX/XX/XXXX my bank XXXX said the check cleared prior to my stop payment. Ive exhausted all known methods for a refund.

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