Consumer complaint received 2017-08-21
Company: WELLS FARGO & COMPANY
State: MN
Product: Checking or savings account
Sub-product: Checking account
Issue: Managing an account
Sub-issue: Deposits and withdrawals

Complaint:
During the relevant XXXX to XXXX period, I was a customer of Wells Fargo Bank in XXXX, MN, harmed by the banks unsafe or unsound sales practices, as described by the enforcement actions on or about XXXX, XXXX by Office of the Comptroller of the Currency ( OCC ), and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ( CFPB ). Wells Fargo was ordered to contact, and make restitution to customers who were harmed, such as myself, but has not contacted me. I am not a customer of the bank currently. The sales practices the OCC found to be unsafe or unsound included the unauthorized opening of deposit or credit card accounts and the transfer of funds from authorized, existing accounts to unauthorized accounts. In my case, I had Wells Fargo checking and savings accounts and WF branded visa debit and ATM cards. I worked then as a XXXX XXXX of several different agencies, had a low income, and wanted an account to deposit paychecks, receive direct deposit, receive tax refunds, and use an ATM, I found that money was constrantly shifted between accounts without my knowledge, causing overdraft and other fees, that wohk explode into negative balances, and I was having my accounts closed, then reopened without my knowledge or consent. Direct deposits, and scheduled payments would fail, my ATM card would be declined, or I would go to the bank Friday to make a paycheck deposit, and find that my ATM card and accounts would be closed. The teller would inform me that this was due to '' inactivity '', because I had not returned a " personal banker '' sales call, or they would have no explanation, but always cheerfully opened new accounts and cards in minutes. I had to go along of course if I wanted to have any money from my check that weekend. Until I saw this consent order I had no idea why this happened numerous times. Customers eligible for restitution include those who were financially harmed as a result of the unsafe or unsound sales practices. I was financially harmed as well as subject to needless hardship, and frustration. My bank was in a low income of XXXX XXXX, so I assumed Wells Fargo did not want my business, since I was not wealthy. I felt powerless to complain because I needed a checking account and ATM card, and feared WF would put me on the XXXX black list if I did not pay the fees and overdrafts and accept all these and  churned closed and opened accounts. I am concerned that Wells Fargo will try to shift the burden of the investigation on me, but it is not reasonable to expect a customer to provide the bank with records of acts done " without their knowledge or consent '', to make a claim, since by definition these are sales and internal records that are non public Wells Fargo has sole, exclusive access to these records, and it was apparently part of an internal sales commission program out of my control. For good cause shown, I respectfully ask your agency to investigate, facilitate my claim for restitution in this matter ; and advise me, or take any action on my behalf you find appropriate.

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