Consumer complaint received 2024-09-06
Product: Money transfer, virtual currency, or money service — Domestic (US) money transfer
Issue: Fraud or scam — 
Company: WELLS FARGO & COMPANY (MA)

Subject : Urgent Request for Assistance in Recovering Funds from Fraudulent Job Scam and Denied Claim by Wells Fargo Dear Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Team, I am writing to urgently seek your assistance regarding a fraudulent job scam that has caused me significant financial distress. I am a student, and the amount involved is a substantial portion of my finances during this critical period. I have exhausted efforts with my bank, Wells Fargo, to recover the funds, but unfortunately, my claim was denied after 60 days, leaving me with no resolution. 

Incident Details : On XX/XX/XXXX, I identified that a check I had deposited as part of a supposed job offer for a Salesforce Administrator role was counterfeit. The scam was well-orchestrated, beginning with an email from what appeared to be a legitimate company offering a job opportunity. I received a detailed job briefing and was instructed to install the Teams app for an interview. The interactions, including the email addresses and the individuals involved, appeared genuine and professional. 

After a successful virtual interview, I was informed that I had secured the position and was provided with a check for {$4500.00}, supposedly to purchase office supplies and a XXXX. I was instructed to deposit the check and wire a significant portion of the funds to a specified vendor for these purchases. This process repeated with additional requests for wire transfers for software and other expenses after I was provided with the checks for {$2600.00} and {$1800.00}. 

Checks were deposited to my account and below are the details : Between ( XX/XX/XXXX - XX/XX/XXXX ) Transaction Type : Check Deposit Amount of Transaction : {$4500.00} ; {$2600.00} ; {$1800.00} Recipients Bank : XXXX XXXX XXXX ( mobile check deposit ). 

I was asked to wire transfer the funds to the below account after the deposited check 's funds got available in my Bank. Below are the details : Between ( XX/XX/XXXX - XX/XX/XXXX ) Transaction Type : WIRE Amount of Transaction : {$1800.00} ; {$2600.00} ; {$2900.00} Recipients Bank : WELLS FARGO BANK , N.A . 

Each time, the funds appeared briefly available in my account before the checks were ultimately identified as counterfeit, resulting in a total loss of {$7400.00}. I immediately contacted my bank 's XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX ) check fraud division on XX/XX/XXXX, on the same day of identifying the check as counterfeit, and initiated a claim to recall the wire transfers. 

However, after a long wait of over 60 days, I received a notice from Wells Fargo ( recipient account where the funds were wire transferred to ) stating that my claim had been denied. This outcome is devastating, given the significant financial impact this has had on me. Despite acting quickly and reporting the fraudulent activity promptly, I feel I am not receiving the justice or support necessary from the bank in recovering my funds. 

Request for Assistance : I am respectfully requesting the CFPB 's intervention in this matter. I have all the documentation related to the scam, including the job offer emails, the counterfeit checks, wire transfer receipts, Consumer Report To The Federal Trade Commission and the claim denial notice from Wells Fargo. I will submit all these attachments for your review. 

I kindly urge you to review my case and take appropriate action to assist me in recovering my funds from Wells Fargo. The amount lost is a huge sum for me, and I am seeking justice and financial relief in this matter. 

Thank you for your time and assistance. I look forward to your response and any steps you can take to resolve this issue. 

Sincerely, XXXX Date : XX/XX/XXXX