Consumer complaint received 2023-03-09
Company: WELLS FARGO & COMPANY
State: CA
Product: Checking or savings account
Sub-product: Other banking product or service
Issue: Problem with a lender or other company charging your account
Sub-issue: Transaction was not authorized

Complaint:
My name is XXXX XXXX and I have been a retired XXXX XXXX XXXX since XXXX. On XX/XX/XXXX I received an email supposedly from the company XXXX that set me up to be victimized by a scam. That email contained an invoice for a bonus purchase from XXXX XXXX in the amount of {$790.00}. The email ( see # XXXX attachment ) also stated : If you have any questions about this invoice, simply reach out to our support team for help, number ( XXXX ) XXXX. Since I had not made the purchase, I called that number, received an apology, and was told by the XXXX agents I was talking to, XXXX XXXX and XXXX XXXX, that the {$790.00} would be returned to my Wells Fargo bank account then ending in # XXXX. This is where the deception began. 
The XXXX agent then told me that to show their appreciation, XXXX would transfer {$790.00} plus {$200.00}, totaling {$1000.00} back into my account. He then pulled up a form on my computer screen and told me to type in {$1000.00}. In that instant, my computer image became skewed and I couldnt see what I was typing. The XXXX agent immediately squealed and told me I had entered {$10000.00}, that went into my Wells Fargo Prime Checking Account, the branch at XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX, California. 
I told the XXXX agent I could call Wells Fargo and have the money transferred back to XXXX. The agent then told me that he could lose his job with XXXX and that an investigation could be launched. I then received an email from the XXXX XXXX XXXX threatening to file a case against me if I didnt return the {$10000.00} to XXXX XXXX see # XXXX attachment ). The agent, XXXX XXXX, suggested I withdraw the {$10000.00} and use it to purchase gift cards to repay XXXX. I was confused, but I was also desperate to get that unauthorized {$10000.00} out of my Wells Fargo checking account, so I withdrew the {$10000.00} that had been accidentally deposited in my account then purchased gift cards and sent the ID numbers on the cards to the XXXX agent ( see # XXXX attachment ). 
I had just completed that task, when I notice unusual activity in my computer ( a cursor moving about on its own ), which I reported to my internet server, XXXX, and they changed my log-in information. I then noticed a new XXXX XXXX XXXX Account # ending in XXXX, opened on my Wells Fargo Account Summary page, which had I never requested. I then notice a {$10000.00} withdrawal from that account. I called Wells Fargo to report a possible fraud and requested that account be closed, but not before another {$4000.00} was withdrawn from it, making the debt {$14000.00}. Although Wells Fargo closed the account, they have been continuously, unfairly charging interest on that account, and it is now over {$17000.00}, and on an account I never used or received a card for. My complaint is not only against the scammers who perpetrated this fraud, but particularly Wells Fargo Bank, .who was negligent in stopping it and for attempting to profit from it by charging me interest in their account I never asked for or received a card for my use. 
I have received a letter from Wells Fargo, dated XX/XX/XXXX, offering me a deal to pay only {$6900.00} of that {$17000.00}, but I dont feel I should have to pay any portion of it because I never requested that account to be opened in the first place, nor did I ever it. 
I will appreciate any guidance you can give me. 
Thank you, 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 non-monetary relief