Consumer complaint received 2024-08-01 00:00:00
Product: Checking or savings account — Checking account
Issue: Managing an account — Funds not handled or disbursed as instructed
Company: WELLS FARGO & COMPANY
State: CA

Complaint narrative:
On XX/XX/XXXX I paid my XXXX IRS payment due amount of {$3200.00}. So I thought because the funds were withdrawn from my account on XX/XX/XXXX. The IRS was sent a letter saying i never paid. I called the IRS and tried to resolve the issue and thought I had. However, when I did my taxes again for the XXXX tax season I had a refund but the IRS kept that money. I have spent hours dealing in person and on the phone ( downloading images ) with IRS representatives. 

My Wells Fargo online bank statement explains when, where, what company and how much when when my ATM is used. However, when a bank check is cashed it doesnt explain where the money went to or where it was deposited. I called Wells Fargo asking to provide me more information where the funds were deposited but they told me they would not help since too much time had elapsed.

I surely thought the IRS cashed my check and went to local IRS office with a copy of the front and back of my check and asked for help locating the payment. The IRS office wasnt able to help me because the embossed numbers on the back of the check were not legible. I opened up the complaint processes with the IRS and an IRS advocate. Over the course of at least a year the IRS sent me several letters saying they were continuing their investigation and would need 60 more days. 

At one point the IRS advocate suggested that I contact Wells Fargo again since the line item on my bank statement didnt specifically ( with no detail ) explain who cashed the check ( a check written out to the United States Treasury ). I called and again Wells Fargo refused to help, yet did slipped up and accidentally told me it was deposited into a Wells Fargo account. I then knew something was seriously wrong. A check written to the United States Treasury should not be going into a Wells Fargo account. Oh did I mention the check was also not endorsed with a signature?

I reached out to my local police department and filed a police report. After several weeks the police detective informed me that the check was deposited at an ATM in XXXX XXXX. NOT by the IRS or the United Staes Treasury Department.

I feel Wells Fargo is negligent and culpable for in the theft of my money for the following reason : The check was made out to the United States Treasury Department and Wells Fargo allowed the check to be deposited at a ATM with no signature endorsement. 

There was no way for me to know from my bank account that my check was or wasnt cashed by the United States Treasury. There is no bank deposit/withdraw details. 

The embossed numbers on the back of the check were not legible. 

With all the technology, as well as, security checks and balances, Wells Fargo should have caught the fact that a fraudulent transaction was happening at an ATM from one Wells Fargo account to another Wells Fargo account.

Wells Fargo refused to help me on three separate occasions during this long process.

The detective believes, but unsure, the account holder that the funds were deposited into might have victimized others and is curious if Wells Fargo was aware of this and failed to inform me. All speculation at this time. His investigation is progressing. 

I am requesting a FULL REFUND of {$3200.00} ( and interest if applicable ).

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