Consumer complaint received 2025-02-04 00:00:00
Product: Checking or savings account — Checking account
Issue: Managing an account — Deposits and withdrawals
Company: WELLS FARGO & COMPANY
State: CA

Complaint narrative:
To Whom It May Concern, I am writing to file a complaint regarding unauthorized transactions and insufficient notification practices associated with my Wells Fargo business checking account. I opened this account in XX/XX/XXXX, and everything was functioning well until XX/XX/XXXX, when several alarming issues arose. 
In XXXX, four unauthorized checks totaling {$160.00} were cashed against my account. It is particularly concerning that I did not receive any fraud alerts or notifications via email or my mobile banking app, both of which are linked to my account. I only discovered these unauthorized transactions when a customer purchased music from me on XXXX, a platform for musicians to create and sell music. 
In XXXX, I attempted to mobile deposit a {$3500.00} check from a customer in another state, but the deposit was declined. This prompted me to visit the Wells Fargo branch, where I discovered the unauthorized checks. 
Two critical factors make this situation particularly concerning : 1. I do not use physical checks and never purchased a book of checks. I destroyed the only two checks the bank initially provided me with.

2. I never opened a savings account, and previously, the bank would not allow me to overdraft more than {$2.00}. It is alarming that the bank managed to allow a {$160.00} overdraft. 
Towards the end of XXXX, after getting the account unfrozen, I attempted to mobile deposit another check for {$1000.00} from a customer, which was also denied. A banker informed me that the check was denied because it was written in my name, XXXX XXXX XXXX, instead of my business entity name, XXXX XXXX. After apologizing to my customer and instructing their accountants to write another check payable to XXXX XXXX, I received a {$1500.00} check via email, which was also denied. This caused my customer to become suspicious of fraud, as they could not understand the delay in mobile depositing the check. 
I have text messages to support this claim. When I called the bank customer service line later that day, the banker in risk management changed the story and stated that the reason for the denial was that it appeared I took a picture of the check on a computer screen. I admitted to the banker that I did indeed take a picture of it on a computer screen because it was emailed to me. It surprised me that this was a concern, given that the checks have account and routing numbers that protect the people transferring the funds. The banker then began to stutter, saying that was not the issue. The banker continued with an angry tone, stating that they would close my business account on XX/XX/XXXX. Frustrating that one banker told me one thing and the other one told me another. My mobile app and mail, tells me that the checks bank account were closed?! 
My friends and family found this alarming because they regularly use mobile deposits and are successful. One of my friends suggested that this appears to be an inside job and that the bank is gaslighting due to their actions. This suspicion is based on a court case I have against the city related to my business, police misconduct, and adverse possession, which is currently in the appeal process. The case involved a mistrial because the judge and district attorney hid my evidence of my business license, civil matter, and witnesses from the jury, stating that none of my evidence was relevant to the case, forcing me to file a California Government Code Section 912 claim after my appeal.

Given these facts, I am deeply troubled by Wells Fargo 's security and notification practices. I request a thorough investigation into these unauthorized transactions and the lack of communication regarding potential fraud. Additionally, I seek a resolution to ensure that such incidents do not recur. 
Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter. 

Sincerely, XXXX XXXX XXXX, any other concerns please call me and leave a voicemail or text message if I can't answer at 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 explanation