Consumer complaint received 2025-05-21 00:00:00
Product: Money transfer, virtual currency, or money service — Mobile or digital wallet
Issue: Fraud or scam — 
Company: WELLS FARGO & COMPANY
State: MN

Complaint narrative:
I have been the victim of a sophisticated impersonation scam, as carried out by an unknown man claiming to work at Wells Fargo. At XXXXXXXX XXXX on XX/XX/year> I received a text from an unknown number ( XXXX ( XXXX ) XXXX ) claiming to be Wells Fargo Bank. The message asked me if I attempted a {$380.00} transaction at a XXXX store, in which I replied with 'N ' for no. They claimed the transaction would be blocked and an assistant would be calling. The same number then called with someone answering by the name of " XXXX XXXX '', pretending to be a Wells Fargo representative. They knew my name and some personal details such as the state I'm from and my email, and the caller ID appeared legitimate. I talked to this man on the phone, as he asked me if I recognized the charge or any device activity going on in Texas which I said no. He then led me to be under the impression that my account was under attack, and so I followed his instructions. He told me via the phone to transfer both my checking and savings money ( total of {$5700.00} ) into my XXXX XXXX on my XXXX. For the sake of what I thought was protecting my funds, I first placed the money on my XXXX XXXX card in my wallet provided by XXXX, and then added a new card to the wallet. The man fully convinced me that this debit card was to be my newly activated card, and from there manipulated me into transferring the money from the XXXX XXXX card to this new card. He then prompted me to delete the card and change my password to my Wells Fargo account to prevent further fraudulent behavior, and that the money would return to my checking account once they verified everything on their end. Obviously I did not receive this money back, nor did I receive any further emails as promised by the caller. To be clear : I did not freely choose to send this money, rather I was manipulated under false pretenses by someone I truly believed worked with Wells Fargo. At no point did I suspect I was talking to a scammer and I did not knowingly or willingly authorize a fraudulent transaction. I have come to realize that I was taken advantage of as I was both manipulated and misled. Once I realized I had been tricked, I immediately contacted Wells Fargo and took steps to secure my account, and submitted all relevant documentation, including the transaction ID, screenshots of the text and phone number ( all of which I have attached below ), along with a police report, and reports filed with the FBI ( IC3 ) and the Federal Trade Commission ( FTC ). I also submitted a Consumer Assistance Request to the Minnesota Attorney Generals Office. The Attorney General sent a formal letter to Wells Fargo on my behalf regarding this case. Despite this continued action and strong documentation, Wells Fargo has denied my claim. I was clearly and wholeheartedly tricked into the transaction through impersonation and fraud, and would have hoped this was made more apparent in my persistence in seeing this case through. I am a XXXX XXXX XXXX just finishing up my junior year of college, and would greatly appreciate it if this case could be looked into further, as I look to dispute this decision with Wells Fargo . Thank you so much.

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