Consumer complaint received 2017-10-20
Company: WELLS FARGO & COMPANY
State: MN
Product: Checking or savings account
Sub-product: Checking account
Issue: Opening an account
Sub-issue: Account opened as a result of fraud

Complaint:
On XXXX/XXXX/XXXX i visited a Wells Fargo Branch to get my personal information updated and have my current active debit card changed, as it was recently compromised in the XXXX Data Breach. 
( I really wish they had n't done that. ) Alas, the XXXX issue is a separate front. 

On XXXX I was told in a recorded conversation with the bank representative I met with that there was an account opened in my name and do I recall opening it, would I like to close it. 
?! 
LUCKILY, this conversation with this banker was recorded ; and I even asked specifically for permission to record and was given that. 

So without wasting too much time, again ; I was told by a banker on XXXX/XXXX/XXXX that there is unauthorized account ( s? ) In my name, would I like to close them since I did n't know/consent about them ... 

So in further discovery it is revealed that these accounts to which the banker is referencing is linked to activity from XXXX ; and it very much involved/s me being enrolled in " services '' and/or having unauthorized accounts in the form of " products '' & " instruments '' opened in my name, under my legal identity, with my PPI ( protected private information : i.e. Everything about me you would use to open an account. SS #, name, DOB, home, etc. ), this information was used without my succinct authorization and direct knowledge, consent, or even, to be blunt..Notification by bank employees that I was being enrolled in these accounts or, 'services/instruments. ' Of note and of particular relevance is the terminology of settlement terms as prcdented in XXXX v. XXXX ; where it is identified that Wells Fargo has engaged in Unauthorized Credit Analysis Account designation. 
-- - Upon further discovery ; it is established that these unauthorized accounts were open in or around XXXX. 

In pursuing my complaint with Wells Fargo customer care representatives, as of phone call at XXXX. They have acknowledged that in fact there were accounts opened in my name without my direct consent. 

HOWEVER, as it pertains to the Settlement Wells Fargo entered into ; the various employees have repeatedly given me the run around and a level of obsolete pushback, repeatedly questioning the reason I have contacted them ; though I clearly explain each of the 5 times I contact them that I am following up about the fact that I have been informed that I had accounts opened in my name that I did not consent. 

I have requested more information from Wells Fargo to clarify what these accounts were, and why I was told on XXXX/XXXX/XXXX that one was STILL opened and was I aware of it? would I prefer to close it? 

When I am asking Wells Fargo what those unauthorized accounts were ; I am curious in terms of legal discovery to understand actually, what their practice of Unauthorized Credit Analysis account practice : ( s ) involved. 

It seems as though, based on what some Wells Fargo customer care representatives have stated to me via my escalation/discovery through their call center, that one aspect of their scam and the unauthorized account/'services ' involved some kind of convoluted identity theft protection, credit monitoring route. 

> > To be very clear ; A WELLS FARGO employee ; or even sometimes automatic online enrollment would offer identity theft protection and/or some form of fraud alert, however what that would do is then open a shell account/ & credit monitoring platform that would start to monitor and or report credit in a certain way ; and also probably serve some kind of transactional process in the overall banking system, account valuation. These details are further established and documented in courts of law via the XXXX docket > > > Bottom line is, Wells Fargo opened unauthorized account ( s ) In my name. 

What I am requesting through the complaint process through the CFPB portal is documentation of the fact that I recorded a bank representative acknowledging this. 

I also am recording as submissible evidence the fact that Wells Fargo has agreed to provide me more information involving the exact nature of these errant practices of theirs ; It seems through obfuscation that it can be identified that these accounts existed. 

So there 's no need to refute that. 
I want to know that they are closed forever, and I do believe I am legally entitled to assurance from Wells Fargo that this practice of them using my identity as a trusting customer of their business will not involve the unauthorized enrollment in any kind of vehicle I do not succinctly authorize and have direct knowledge of. 

The case number last left with Wells Fargo customer care surrounding the matter is XXXX. 

This is what Wells Fargo is saying will document that there were these accounts and they are now closed, and that I am pursuing clarification of what they were in the first place and the fact that they are, in fact definitively closed. 

I expect to be ensured this wo n't happen again. 

I also am aware that there is a settlement administered by XXXX XXXX, whose legal administration counsel is at XXXXXXXXXXXX. 

The reason I include this is because I have already informed Wells Fargo to cease and desist this practice. I have mentioned to them that I expect there to be further litigation to resolve the matter of the extent of damage to my personal financial integrity, specifically in terms of how their credit monitoring negatively reported/influenced/impacted my credit ; and any potential exposure to having an un authorized checking or credit card or other account opened in my name. 

While the settlement purports a dubious and as of yet undisclosed monetary amount to correct varying levels of fraud and crime committed by Wells Fargo employees ; I am not necessarily in it for the money. 

For me it is a matter of legal justice. It is disgusting to me that a bank, who as an institution that by nature was designed as simply a trustworthy repository of a resource, would engage in the practice of opening fake accounts in my name to do thr devil only knows what with. 

And then ; after being caught doing it, for Wells Fargo to agree to stop the practice and even commit to a settlement ; but then have me be informed XXXX/XXXX/XXXX it is in effect, still happening is unacceptable.

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