Consumer complaint received 2025-01-22 00:00:00
Product: Checking or savings account — Checking account
Issue: Opening an account — Account opened without my consent or knowledge
Company: WELLS FARGO & COMPANY
State: FL

Complaint narrative:
Wells Fargo has repeatedly violated my consumer rights. I have tried working directly with them to resolve this matter & they have continued their deceitful practices. 

Last year Wells Fargo mailed me notice that I had been enrolled in a XXXX party ID Protection product that I did not authorize. I called Wells Fargo and informed them I did not sign up for this product. I was offered a refund for the money I was charged ( {$710.00} ). I was later sent a mediation from I completed and returned to Wells Fargo. Wells Fargo XXXX department contacted me and offered me {$1000.00} to deter me from going to mediation. 

During this time my XXXX XXXX XXXX  asked me which bank account I was referring to. I informed the XXXX  I had only XXXX bank account. He informed me I had XXXX bank accounts ( XXXX checking and XXXX savings account ). I informed him that I did not open any other bank account. I requested he provide me with the information concerning the additional unwanted accounts. He provides me with an unsigned bank account application and XXXX bank statements. I confirmed with him I did not authorize opening these accounts. He informed me that he could only handle the mediation for the id protection aspect, however Wells Fargo was still sending out letters to consumers who were affected by Wells Fargo unfair practices. 

After mediation was completed, I pursued resolving the issue with the unauthorized account openings. This took about a year before I was mailed a mediation letter concerning the unauthorized account openings. I filled and returned the mediation form back to Wells Fargo. Upon checking the status of this mediation, I was informed that I had already went through mediation for this issue. I explained to the rep that I had not gone through mediation for this issue ; however, this issue was discovered while dealing with the XXXX  XXXX  XXXX. I also informed the new assigned rep that my former rep had repeatedly informed me he was only authorized to handle the XXXX  XXXX  aspect because that was the issue I received the initial notice regarding. Another thing that is alarming is that the new rep said I had yet another account ( overdraft protection account ). I NEVER agreed to this & absolutely did not agree that the amount offered during mediation would settle the XXXX  XXXX, XXXX unauthorized account openings & XXXX unauthorized overdraft protection account. I was told that the mediation I went through was ONLY for the XXXX  XXXX  & would not have made the many efforts for over and entire year to settle the unauthorized account openings. In addition to these issues, I was also informed that I was charged and not reimbursed for overdraft fees I should not have been charged. 

Wells Fargo is still being deceitful and NOT transparent in the CFPB enforcement. Instead of genuinely making things right Wells Fargo in bad faith is stating consumers are settling mediation for issues unknown to the consumers, like they have done me. Wells Fargo is also pressuring consumers like me to settle in mediation, by stating if I do not settle, I may not receive any compensation at all. Wells Fargo has also stated I settled unknown issues. Wells Fargo is showing major inconsistencies and lacking FULL transparency to what consumers agree to. Wells Fargo is acting as if they are complying with the CFPB enforcement in good faith but instead are withholding information from the consumers affected by their bad business practices. I have documented all my efforts and will continue to pursue all legal avenues to include CFPB, BBB, and Office of Attorney General. I work in privacy and compliance and understand the importance of safeguarding personal data ; I truly pray this is looked at and taken very seriously as Wells Fargo is NOT in compliance. I have attached the unsigned application for the checking and savings accounts.

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