Consumer complaint received 2025-11-21 00:00:00
Product: Checking or savings account — Checking account
Issue: Problem with a lender or other company charging your account — Transaction was not authorized
Company: WELLS FARGO & COMPANY
State: TX

Complaint narrative:
b"CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION BUREAU\nCOMPLAINT SUBMISSION\n\nComplainant Information:\nXXXX XXXXXX/XX/XXXX, XXXX XXXX XXXX and XXXX XXXX\nXXXX  XXXX XXXX XXXX\nXXXX, Texas XXXX\nPhone: XXXX XXXX\nEmail: XXXXXXXX\n\nFinancial Institution:\nWells Fargo Bank, N.A.\nLegal Order Processing Department\nReference Number: XXXX\n\nDate of Complaint: XX/XX/\n\nCOMPLAINT CATEGORY:\nBank account or service\n\nProblem: Account freeze or restriction\n\nSub-issue: Wrongful freeze based on fraudulent or defective legal order\n\nSUMMARY OF COMPLAINT\nWells Fargo Bank has wrongfully frozen multiple business bank accounts belonging to XXXX XXXX XXXX  and XXXX  LLC based on a New York default judgment that was obtained through fraudulent service of process. Despite being provided with conclusive documentary evidence proving the judgment is void and unenforceable, Wells Fargo has refused to release our accounts, causing severe financial harm to our businesses.\n\nDETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ISSUE\nBackground:\n\nOn or about XX/XX/XXXXXX/XX/XXXX, Wells Fargo froze all business bank accounts for XX/XX/XXXX and XX/XX/XXXX (Wells Fargo XX/XX/XXXX Case #XX/XX/XXXX) based on a restraining notice issued by XX/XX/XXXX and XX/XX/XXXX pursuant to a default judgment entered in XX/XX/XXXX XX/XX/XXXX, New York (Index XX/XX/XXXX) on XX/XX/.\n\nThe ProblemFraudulent New York Judgment:\n\nWe have obtained irrefutable evidence that the underlying New York judgment was procured through fraud:\n\nDefective Service of Process:\nOfficial United States Postal Service tracking records prove that the certified mail used to allegedly serve us was never delivered, never signed for, and was returned to sender as UNCLAIMED on XX/XX/XXXX. (XX/XX/XXXX XX/XX/XXXX)\n\nFalse Affidavit of Service:\nDespite this, the plaintiff's attorney, XX/XX/XXXX., filed a sworn affidavit claiming proper service was completed via certified mail, return receipt requested. This statement was materially false.\n\nVoid Judgment Under New York Law:\nUnder New York law (CPLR  312-a, XX/XX/XXXX v. XX/XX/XXXXXXXX XXXX), service by certified mail is only complete when signed for. Unclaimed mail does not constitute valid service, and any judgment based on such defective service is void and not entitled to enforcement.\n\nNo Actual Notice:\nWe had no actual notice of the New York lawsuit until our accounts were frozen. We were traveling extensively for work during the relevant time period and never received any delivery notice or opportunity to respond.\n\nWells Fargo's Failure to Act:\n\nOn XX/XX/XXXX, we provided Wells Fargo Legal Order Processing with:\n\nComplete documentary evidence of the fraudulent service (USPS tracking records, copies of the false affidavit)\n\nCopies of our court filings in both Texas and New York challenging the judgment\n\nFormal written demand for immediate release of all frozen funds\n\nNotice that continued enforcement exposes Wells Fargo to liability for wrongful freeze\n\nDespite this evidence, Wells Fargo has:\n\nFailed to respond to our communications\n\nRefused to release our business accounts\n\nContinued to enforce a restraining order they now know is based on a fraudulently-obtained, void judgment\n\nCaused ongoing severe financial harm to our businesses\n\nFinancial Harm:\n\nThe wrongful freeze has caused and continues to cause:\n\nInability to pay employees, vendors, and critical business expenses\n\nLost customer contracts and chargebacks\n\nDamage to business credit and reputation\n\nInability to operate our construction and vehicle service businesses\n\nEstimated damages exceeding $30,000 and growing daily\n\nPending Litigation:\n\nWe have an emergency TRO hearing scheduled for Monday, XX/XX/XXXX, at XXXX XXXX in the XXXX XXXX  District Court, XXXX XXXX, Texas (XXXX XXXX XXXX), seeking court-ordered release of our accounts and damages against all parties, including Wells Fargo.\n\nWe have also filed (or are preparing to file) motions in New York to vacate the fraudulent judgment and seeking sanctions against the attorneys who procured it.\n\nWHAT I WANT THE COMPANY TO DO\nImmediately release all frozen funds in the business accounts of XXXX XXXX XXXX and XXXX XXXX.\n\nWithdraw all restraining notices and legal orders related to the void New York judgment.\n\nProvide written confirmation that all accounts have been restored to full operational status.\n\nCompensate us for all actual damages caused by the wrongful freeze, including lost business, inability to pay expenses, and consequential damages.\n\nCease enforcement activities based on the fraudulently-obtained New York judgment pending resolution in the courts.\n\nWHAT THE COMPANY HAS DONE IN RESPONSE\nAs of the date of this complaint, Wells Fargo has:\n\nFailed to respond to our communications\n\nFailed to release any frozen funds\n\nFailed to acknowledge the evidence of fraud we provided\n\nContinued to wrongfully restrain our business accounts\n\nSUPPORTING DOCUMENTS (To Be Attached or Uploaded)\nUSPS Tracking Record showing certified mail returned unclaimed\n\nCopy of attorney's false Affidavit of Service\n\nCopy of our demand letters to Wells Fargo\n\nCourt filings from Texas TRO case\n\nCourt filings from New York Motion to Vacate\n\nEvidence of financial damages\n\nRESOLUTION REQUESTED\nI request that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau:\n\nForward this complaint to Wells Fargo and require an immediate response\n\nInvestigate Wells Fargo's continued enforcement of a restraining order based on a fraudulently-obtained, void judgment\n\nRequire Wells Fargo to immediately release all frozen funds\n\nFacilitate compensation for all damages caused by the wrongful freeze\n\nTake appropriate supervisory or enforcement action if Wells Fargo continues to act in bad faith\n\nThis is an urgent matter involving ongoing, escalating financial harm to operating businesses. Immediate intervention is needed.\n\nRespectfully submitted,\n\nTXXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX, Texas XXXX\nXXXX XXXX\nXXXX\n\nDate: XX/XX/"

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