Consumer complaint received 2026-01-23 00:00:00
Product: Money transfer, virtual currency, or money service — Domestic (US) money transfer
Issue: Other transaction problem — 
Company: WELLS FARGO & COMPANY
State: NY

Complaint narrative:
Formal Complaint Against Wells Fargo Bank Complaint Date : XX/XX/XXXX Complainant Name : XXXX XXXX c/o XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Phone : ( XXXX ) XXXX Contact Email : XXXX Sender Bank : XXXX XXXX XXXX ACH Trace Number : XXXX ________________________________________ SUMMARY OF COMPLAINT I am filing this complaint against Wells Fargo for their refusal to return {$20000.00} that was mistakenly sent to one of their customer accounts via ACH transfer XXXX XX/XX/XXXX. Wells Fargo has kept these funds frozen since XX/XX/XXXX ( over XXXX weeks ) but has provided no clear reason for refusing to return money that was sent in error and deposited into an account with a name that does not match my payment authorization. 
________________________________________ DETAILED FACTS Transaction Details : XXXX Transfer Date : XX/XX/XXXX Amount : {$20000.00} ACH Trace Number : XXXX Sending Bank : XXXX XXXX XXXX  Receiving Bank : Wells Fargo Wells Fargo account where money are mistakenly deposited # XXXX Funds Frozen Since : XX/XX/XXXX ( over XXXX weeks ) What Happened : XXXX. On XX/XX/XXXX, I initiated an XXXX transfer for {$20000.00}. Due to my error in entering account information, the funds were routed to an incorrect account at Wells Fargo. 
XXXX. Critical fact : The Wells Fargo account that received my funds has a different account holder name than the recipient name I provided on my ACH payment authorization. This name mismatch should have been a clear indicator that these funds were misdirected. 
XXXX. Upon discovering the error on XX/XX/XXXX, I immediately opened a claim with my bank ( XXXX XXXX, Claim # XXXX ) to request return of the funds. 
XXXX. Wells Fargo froze the funds on XX/XX/XXXX, acknowledging there is an issue with this transaction. 
XXXX. Despite XXXX XXXX 's requests to return the funds, Wells Fargo has refused to release them and has provided no clear reason or legal justification for retaining {$20000.00} that clearly does not belong to their account holder. 
XXXX. As of today, XX/XX/XXXX, the funds have been frozen for over XXXX weeks with no resolution. 
________________________________________ WELLS FARGO 'S FAILURES Wells Fargo has acted improperly in the following ways : 1. Unjust Retention of Funds : Wells Fargo is holding {$20000.00} that was sent to their customer in error. Their account holder has no legal right to these funds, yet Wells Fargo refuses to return them.

2. Lack of Transparency : Wells Fargo has provided no clear explanation or legal basis for why they will not return funds that were obviously misdirected, especially given the name mismatch.

3. Indefinite Freeze Without Resolution : Wells Fargo has kept the funds frozen for over XXXX weeks without taking steps to resolve the situation or return the money to its rightful owner.

4. Failure to Cooperate : Wells Fargo has not cooperated with legitimate requests from XXXX XXXX to return funds sent in error through proper banking channels.

5. Privacy Excuse : Wells Fargo has refused to provide the account holder 's name, making it impossible for me to directly contact the recipient or pursue legal action efficiently. 
________________________________________ LEGAL PRINCIPLES Under well-established legal principles : Unjust Enrichment : A person who receives money by mistake has no legal right to keep it. Wells Fargo 's account holder received {$20000.00} they are not entitled to. 
Bank 's Duty : While Wells Fargo has privacy obligations to their customer, they also have a duty not to facilitate or enable the wrongful retention of funds that clearly belong to someone else.

NACHA Rules : Under ACH operating rules, banks have procedures and obligations to cooperate in resolving erroneous transfers.

Name Mismatch : The fact that the account name does not match my intended recipient is strong evidence this was an erroneous transfer.

________________________________________ IMPACT ON ME Wells Fargo 's refusal to return my funds has caused severe hardship : I have been without {$20000.00} for over XXXX weeks This money was intended for essential expenses I face significant financial difficulty while Wells Fargo holds my money without justification The stress and uncertainty of this situation has been immense. 
I am unable to pursue legal action effectively because Wells Fargo won't disclose their account holder 's identity

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