Consumer complaint received 2025-03-13 00:00:00
Product: Checking or savings account — Checking account
Issue: Closing an account — Company closed your account
Company: WELLS FARGO & COMPANY
State: FL

Complaint narrative:
For over XXXX years, Wells Fargo has engaged in negligence, misrepresentation, and failure to comply with its own banking policies and federal consumer protection laws regarding the closure of my business accounts and the reissuance of my withheld funds. Despite my numerous attempts to resolve this issue in good faith, I have been met with inconsistent responses, misinformation, unjustified delays, and a blatant refusal to process a legitimate solution. 

This situation is not only a clear violation of fair banking practices but also a breach of regulatory compliance under the Consumer Financial Protection Act ( CFPA ) and the Unfair, Deceptive, or Abusive Acts and Practices ( UDAAP ). 

XXXX. Initial Fraudulent Claims and Mishandling of Funds After closing my accounts, Wells Fargo falsely claimed that my funds did not belong to me. 
This forced me to investigate my own case, contact multiple departments, and seek legal assistance to prove that the funds were rightfully mine. 
After months of unnecessary obstacles and financial distress, Wells Fargo finally acknowledged that the funds did belong to me and promised to issue a check. 
However, despite this confirmation, the check was never sent to my address, and I was left without any clear instructions on how to retrieve my money. 

XXXX. Contradictory Responses and Systemic Failure of Customer Service When I contacted Wells Fargo customer service, I received inconsistent and misleading responses from multiple representatives. 
Some agents confirmed that I could request a new check via Power of Attorney ( POA ), while others flatly denied it, showing a systemic failure within the institution. 
Branch managers I consulted in person confirmed that a POA is a valid method for retrieving funds, yet the main customer service team continues to refuse my request without justification. 
This level of incompetence and regulatory noncompliance demonstrates that Wells Fargo is not only failing in its duty to customers but is also actively obstructing access to my rightful funds. 

XXXX. Violation of Power of Attorney ( POA ) Banking Regulations According to Wells Fargos own policies, a legally notarized POA is a valid authorization that allows a representative to act on behalf of the account holder. 
I confirmed with legal experts and paid for banking litigation counsel to verify that my request aligns perfectly with federal banking regulations. 
Despite this, Wells Fargo has failed to provide a clear and standardized process for submitting a POA to retrieve my funds. 
When I called again on XX/XX/XXXX, a representative acknowledged my concerns and promised to send an exact list of required documents. 
However, instead of receiving this information, my case was delayed once again until XX/XX/XXXX, with no justification. 

XXXX. Systemic Negligence and Failure to Address Consumer Rights For over XXXX years, I have had to act as my own legal investigator, financial analyst, and case XXXXwhen this responsibility belongs to Wells Fargo. 
I have paid attorneys, made endless calls, waited patiently, and complied with every known banking policy, yet I am still being denied a clear path forward. 
I am not requesting a loan, credit line, or any favorI am demanding access to my own funds, which Wells Fargo has withheld without justification. 
Wells Fargos failure to provide accurate and timely information, refusal to acknowledge its own POA policies, and continuous delays amount to a violation of consumer protection laws. 

What would be a fair resolution? 

Given the severe negligence and misconduct demonstrated by Wells Fargo, I demand the following actions without further delay : XXXX. Immediate reissuance of my funds Wells Fargo must issue a new check or wire transfer to return my money without requiring my in-person presence, as this is an unnecessary and unjustified burden on the consumer.

2. A formal written confirmation that a Power of Attorney is valid Wells Fargo must clearly state the required documents and procedures for using a POA to claim funds in compliance with federal banking laws. 
XXXX. An official apology and corrective action plan Wells Fargo must acknowledge its systemic failures, lack of transparency, and mismanagement of my case. 
A senior banking official must ensure that representatives are trained on the proper handling of POA-related requests to prevent this from happening to other consumers. 

Legal and Regulatory Implications if This Matter is Not Resolved Immediately If Wells Fargo does not take corrective action within XXXX business days, I will be forced to escalate this case to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency ( OCC ) for regulatory review, as well as pursue legal action for financial damages and regulatory noncompliance.

The banks actions appear to violate the Consumer Financial Protection Act ( CFPA ) and UDAAP laws, which prohibit financial institutions from engaging in deceptive, unfair, or abusive practices. 
Wells Fargo is actively obstructing a legal and valid financial process, which can be classified as financial negligence and breach of fiduciary duty. 
If necessary, I will seek legal counsel to file a civil lawsuit against Wells Fargo for financial damages, legal costs, and undue hardship caused by their misconduct. 
Additionally, I reserve the right to engage media and consumer protection agencies to expose this level of negligence and banking malpractice. 

This case is a direct example of why Wells Fargo has faced multiple regulatory fines in the past for mishandling consumer accounts, and I expect immediate resolution before further legal action is necessary. 

I expect a full response within XXXX business days.

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