Consumer complaint received 2025-07-31 00:00:00
Product: Money transfer, virtual currency, or money service — Mobile or digital wallet
Issue: Fraud or scam — 
Company: WELLS FARGO & COMPANY
State: NH

Complaint narrative:
On XX/XX/year>, at approximately XXXX PM, I received a phone call from someone claiming to be from Wells Fargos fraud department. The caller warned me of suspicious activity on my account and asked me to verify a list of charges. I denied all the transactions in question, and I even received a text message from Wells Fargo asking me to confirm the suspicious activityjust as I have in the past during legitimate fraud alerts from Wells Fargo. 

During the call, I was sent a verification code by Wells Fargo via text on the same text chain as legit Wells Fargo messages, which I was told was needed to verify my identity. Trusting this was a genuine Wells Fargo representativeespecially given the real-time, official-looking verification textsI provided the code. I later learned that this gave the scammers full access to my online account. 

The caller then told me that in order to protect my account and authorize a reversal of a fraudulent transfer, I needed to transfer funds to XXXX XXXX. This was part of what they claimed was a fraud recovery and reversal process. They explained that {$10000.00} had already been moved from XXXX of my own accounts to another, and I needed to help correct it. In real time, I also got a text asking me to verify that transfer and I said no. 

Specifically, at approximately XXXX XXXX, they orchestrated a transfer of {$10000.00} from account ending in XXXX to account ending in XXXX. Under the belief that this was part of a Wells Fargo security protocol, I complied. I believed I was acting in good faith to prevent additional fraud. 

It was only later, after contacting the real Wells Fargo XXXX  department, that I realized I had been scammed and manipulated under false pretenses. 
The scammer spoofed Wells Fargos phone number, and the interaction mirrored prior legitimate fraud calls I have received. 
I received real-time verification codes from Wells Fargo XXXX reinforcing the false belief that this was a secure and legitimate call. 
I was socially engineered into moving {$9800.00} via XXXX XXXX, believing it was part of a fraud reversal process. 
I was not informed, aware, or consenting to any activity initiated by the scammers. I was coerced. 
This was not user errorthis was a case of sophisticated impersonation and account manipulation. 

Given the level of impersonation, abuse of Wells Fargos own XXXX system, and the fact that I acted under false guidance from someone I believed was a Wells Fargo employee, I am requesting : A full investigation of this case, Recognition that I was the victim of fraud and coercion, and Reimbursement for the {$9800.00} that was stolen from my account as a result of this manipulation. 

Thank you so much for your attention to this matter. Please let me know if further documentation is needed. I literally cant eat or sleep. 

Also, Wells Fargo basically said its my fault as I authorized the transfer and they told me to call XXXX XXXX which I did. They said they cant recover funds and told me to contact the FTC which I just did. Now I am writing to you to please help me. 

Sincerely, XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX

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 monetary relief