Consumer complaint received 2026-01-29 00:00:00
Product: Credit card — General-purpose credit card or charge card
Issue: Closing your account — Can't close your account
Company: WELLS FARGO & COMPANY
State: OR

Complaint narrative:
On approximately XX/XX/XXXX, I opened a new Wells Fargo credit card account ( ending in the last four digits XXXX ) with an approved credit limit of {$17000.00}. The application process was completed online or in-branch, and the account was approved and activated shortly after. 
Shortly after opening ( within about a month ), a single check bounced due to an issue on the payer 's side ( not my fault ), resulting in a temporary negative balance for a couple of days. I deposited funds to resolve it immediately, and the account returned to positive/good standing with no further issues, missed payments, or unusual transactions. 
On XX/XX/XXXX, I received a letter from Wells Fargo dated XX/XX/XXXX, stating they had placed a temporary hold on the account due to " unusual activity '' to prevent unauthorized transactions. The letter requested that I complete and return : ( XXXX ) a Cardholder Consent to the Use of Tax Return Information document, and ( XXXX ) IRS Form 4506-C ( XXXX  Request for Transcript of Tax Return ) pre-filled with their details ( client : Wells Fargo Bank , N.A . ; XXXX participant : XXXX ). They instructed filling specific sections ( e.g., enter " 1040 '', check Return Transcript and Wage/Income Transcript boxes, enter the two most recent tax years, etc. ) and returning by XX/XX/XXXX, or the account would be closed. 
The letter claimed the hold was due to unusual activity, but the account is brand new ( opened about one month prior ) with essentially no transaction history beyond initial setup and the one resolved bounced check incident. There have been no unauthorized charges, high-volume spending, or other red flags. 
I called Wells Fargo customer service multiple times ( using the number in the letter : XXXX and other card support lines ) to understand the trigger and resolve. Representatives stated they could not provide details on the " unusual activity '' or access account information due to the hold. I asked for alternatives to the 4506-C form ( e.g., pay stubs, W-2s, or bank statements for income verification ) and requested voluntary closure of the account at my request ( since I prefer not to submit the IRS form ). They refused to process voluntary closure, stating the system/policy does not allow it during an active hold/review. I escalated to a supervisor, who also could not override and offered to submit a complaint to the executive team ( which was done, with a case/reference number provided ). 
To date, no further explanation has been provided for the hold, no alternatives offered, and the account remains restricted ( limited or no access to features ). I am declining to submit Form 4506-C, as the requested IRS tax transcripts are not necessary given the account 's minimal history and good standing. 
I want the account voluntarily closed at my request ( not as " closed by issuer due to non-compliance '' or similar ), with confirmation of XXXX balance/good standing and how it will be reported to credit bureaus. If voluntary closure is not possible due to the hold, I request confirmation of the auto-closure process on XX/XX/XXXX, including the exact reason code and reporting details. 
This hold and inability to close the account voluntarily has prevented normal account management on a new credit line with no legitimate unusual activity. I have excellent credit elsewhere with no similar issues at other institutions.

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 non-monetary relief