Consumer complaint received 2018-03-21
Company: WELLS FARGO & COMPANY
State: CO
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: Other debt
Issue: Attempts to collect debt not owed
Sub-issue: Debt was result of identity theft

Complaint:
To : CFPB Ombusman My name is XXXX XXXX XXXX and I am writing to you for some assistance. I know your time is precious so I will do my best to keep this short. 
I was the sole proprietor of my computer repair business. Over 13 years ago I took an order over the internet for the purchase of a large volume of color inkjet cartridges for XXXX XXXX printers. I was concerned at the large amount, so when I deposited the first check I mentioned that the check was from an internet sale. The clerk told me that by general rule if I wait 30 days and there are no problems, then all is good. I did that. 30 days passed and no problems, so I continued to do business with the person over the internet on a regular basis. 
9 months passed by with no problems. But then Wells Fargo tells me that all the checks are fake. I had XXXX XXXX dollars in my account at that time. Wells Fargo took that money and another XXXX XXXX dollars were transferred to my 2 Wells Fargo credit cards ( 1 business and 1 personal ) to cover the total of XXXX XXXX dollars in business I had done over the 9 months. Wells Fargo performed these transfers without my approval. Wells Fargo then proceeded to take me to court, while completely skipping the arbitration process. Colorado case number XXXX. 
I was completely broke. I lost my house, 2 cars, and defaulted on 5 credit cards, because I couldnt make the payments and was homeless for a time due to the actions of Wells Fargo. I was also the sole custodian of my daughter, who I had to send to live with her mother because I was no longer financially able to support her due to the actions of Wells Fargo. When the court date came around to address the additional XXXX XXXX plus some interest and late charges that were added to my credit cards which added up XXXX XXXX, I had no money to hire a lawyer, so the courts levied a judgement on me. 
After starting completely over and persevering through all this, I finally opened a credit union account a few years ago. A debt collector XXXX XXXX of law firm of XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX in XXXX XXXX XXXX ) XXXX found funds there and have frozen them to pay for the XXXX XXXX still owed. 
Im and honest man. I didnt write bad checks. I accepted bad checks and Wells Fargo didnt cover me at all. I wasnt able to pay the IRS during that time and when they caught up with me I setup a repayment schedule and I have paid the IRS off in full. A few other creditors were affected by the actions of Wells Fargo as well, and I have paid them off as well. What Im saying is that I pay my debts. 
I dont feel that the actions of Wells Fargo over 12 years ago, nor freezing my funds currently are legal. I did some cursory research on Colorado Law and it is stated that a judgement can lapse after 6 or 20 years, but it also says it can be renewed for another 6 or 20. I havent found anyone who can tell me if Wells Fargo applied for the additional 6 years and of course the law firm is acting ignorant about that law. 
Im hoping that you can act as my advocate in this situation. I appreciate your time in reading my corresponce and hope to hear from you soon. 
Respectfully, XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX

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