Consumer complaint received 2023-01-05
Product: Checking or savings account — Checking account
Issue: Problem with a lender or other company charging your account — Transaction was not authorized
Company: WELLS FARGO & COMPANY (NY)

My XXXX NY state tax refund check in the amount of {$410.00} was deposited by an unknown individual or individuals to an unknown Wells Fargo account in an undisclosed location. This individual was certainly not me. I have never had a Wells Fargo account in my life and no other relationship with the bank directly or indirectly to the best of my recollection. 

I had originally asked for direct deposit from the IRS to my XXXX account. While waiting for my refund, my account was closed. I contacted the IRS to reissue a check by mail which they assured me would be the case. 

I contacted the IRS who advised me that I would need to file a fraud complaint. I completed the fraud affidavit ; and returned it to the IRS. I contacted the IRS ( I believe ) on XX/XX/XXXX ; they told me that they had rejected my claim, stating that they showed the check was cashed. They said that the fault lies with Wells Fargo and that they are responsible for the amount of {$410.00}. 

First, the check was not cashed, it was deposited. Second, the check was cut in XXXX, NY on XXXX XXXX and negotiated on XXXX XXXX, according to Wells Fargo. I lived in XXXX XXXX, NY at the time. I don't even know that the check would have reached me in that length of time and there is no Wells Fargo in XXXX XXXX. I would have had to go to a neighboring town ( XXXX, NY ) to deposit the check but, of course, I did not because I have no account with Wells Fargo. I am a client of XXXX. 

On XX/XX/XXXX, I stopped into a Wells Fargo branch to speak with a manager who filed an official complaint with their corporate fraud department. 

I received a letter from the NY state, dated XX/XX/XXXX confirming that my complaint was received but I have had no further correspondence. 

I received a letter from Wells Fargo, dated XX/XX/XXXX, stating that Wells Fargo was not the first bank of deposit. They stated that the intended payee deposited the item, which I did not. I never received a check at all and did not deposit it into my XXXX account. 

The IRS says it is Wells Fargo 's fault. Wells Fargo says they were not the XXXX bank XXXX XXXX. I advised them that my account had been closed and that I had opened another so I would need my refund by mail. This was acknowledged by the IRS. All I know is that I never received a check at all. 

I know that Wells Fargo has had major fraud issues in the past. I know that the IRS has had to reissue many IRS refund checks, according to the Wells Fargo XXXX department per the conversation the Wells Fargo Bank XXXX had upon my visit to the branch to lodge my complaint. 

Again, if there is any activity between XXXX or Wells Fargo, it was not me. I truly never received my refund check at my XXXX XXXX address or anywhere else. I already signed an affidavit stating just that. 

I have the letters from the IRS and Wells Fargo but, per your requirements, they contain to much information to attach. I have redacted my correspondence with Wells Fargo and the IRS advocate 's office and attached below. 

Please advise.