Consumer complaint received 2024-02-09 00:00:00
Product: Checking or savings account — Checking account
Issue: Closing an account — Company closed your account
Company: WELLS FARGO & COMPANY
State: GA

Complaint narrative:
I deposited a check with Wells Fargo in XXXX, GA, on XX/XX/23, in the amount of {$5000.00}, and it was a settlement that I received from a class action lawsuit. The check was drawn on XXXX XXXX Bank, as the attorneys that handled my case were in another state. The bank stated that I would get {$220.00} the next day, and the other money would be available once the check clears. When I called to check on the funds a few days later, I was told that the bank was holding the check for verification. I communicated to the attorneys that the check was being held, and the bank wanted verification of the check from the bank. The check finally cleared, as the accountant for the law firm had told me, and I was able to use my debit card to spend the money that was available. My debit card somehow got lost, and I went into the bank to make a withdrawal. I was told there was a hold on me doing any withdrawals, because the check was suspicious ; however, I was able to transfer money into my XXXX account, and was able to order merchandise online from XXXX, and XXXX XXXX  My account at Wells Fargo was eventually closed, and my {$2800.00} (? ) was taken out of the account, but not sent to me. l called several times, and they claimed they needed verification to send the money to me. My money that XXXX XXXX sent me when they cashed the check!!! I have called back and forth, and no resolution to this day, except to get verification from them. XXXX XXXX cashed the check, and sent them the money, so what more proof do they need??? Furthermore, if the money was in question, then why was I able to use any of the money at all? I don't understand. These thieves are holding on to my money for no reason, other than being petty. Mind you, the individuals that handled my case at the XXXX law firm have been trying to get these people to give me my money, and they still resist. I need my money to live with. This has been going on long enough, and it is an illegal practice on Wells Fargo 's part. 

I filed a XXXX XXXX XXXX  claim on Wells Fargo, and this is the response that I got ... .When you make a deposit into your account, its our standard policy to place it on a brief hold until we verify the funds are available. Research shows a check deposit was made into your account on XXXX XXXX in the amount of {$5000.00}. 
After the check went through processing it came back as suspected to be altered. As a result, the checking account ending in XXXX was closed. We will attach the correspondence from loss prevention regarding this information. Since the remaining balance of {$2800.00} was from a suspected altered check, we will not be reimbursing the funds to you. 

My problem with this issue is that no money would have been released to me, if the check was truly suspicious. Mind you, once again, I was able to use the money from my account freely, until they blocked me. Even when they blocked me, I was told by customer service that I could still use the funds, but that I could not withdraw money out of the bank, as I had attempted. Honestly, why was I able to use the money, if there was a problem? And, the money came from the check that XXXX XXXX cashed. Wells Fargo should not be allowed to get away with taking people 's money like this.

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