Consumer complaint received 2017-11-17
Product: Checking or savings account — Checking account
Issue: Opening an account — Account opened as a result of fraud
Company: WELLS FARGO & COMPANY (TX)

Complaint:
I was notified by a government agency that interfaces with financial institutions or any other entity that uses your SSN to make sure that your are n't hiding money or assets for government programs. It was brought to my attention on XXXX/XXXX/XXXX by the government agency that it uncovered two Wells Fargo accounts, a checking and savings account. They gave me the account numbers and told me that the accounts both had a {$0.00} balance and the last statement was XXXX/XXXX/XXXX that also showed a {$0.00} balance. I called Wells Fargo and inquired about these accounts and told they were both opened on the same day, but closed on different days, but opening and closing days seemed to fall on the last day of the month I noticed. I was told I went into a branch and opened up this account with {$100.00} and there had been activity on the account ( s ) bringing it to the {$0.00} balance. Wells Fargo could n't give me any information about what identifying factors per the Patriot Act were used to open up these fake account, I asked in what state was the drivers license issued - could n't disclose it, asked what other pieces of identification were used to open this fake account - would n't and could n't tell me, but yet they, Wells Fargo will ask for your SSN to uncover these fake accounts that were opened and closed within a matter of months, but wo n't give you any information about " your '' fake account with your information. 

1. I used to work for the insurance division of Wells Fargo when it started off as XXXX. 
2. I NEVER went into this Wells Fargo branch in Texas at XXXX XXXX XXXX in XXXX, Texas to open up any account whatsoever with any money. I do n't know where this location is, did n't live by it and there was no reason for me to drive that far when there was one near my home. I was and still am on a fixed income now and did n't have the money to open the account. 
3. When I did have Wells Fargo products way back when and after I worked for them after they laid off employees, I went through a divorce, filed for bankruptcy and my Wells Fargo credit card was included in that Chapter XXXX filing, so why would Wells Fargo be willing to open up a checking/savings account in my name after they took a loss due to my bankruptcy? 
4. Wells Fargo created these fake accounts and suppressed account statements from being generated so their victims would n't receive statements because it would alert them as to why are they, or why am I receiving a statement from Wells Fargo when I do n't have one.
5. I do n't use banks, I strictly used credit unions and I have several of them and my Social Security XXXX Income has always been direct deposited into the # XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX XXXX during the time you fraudulently opened up these fake accounts with money that was n't mine. 

I am embarrassed that I was ever employed by XXXXWells Fargo!!!!

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