Consumer complaint received 2025-01-05 00:00:00
Product: Checking or savings account — Checking account
Issue: Managing an account — Banking errors
Company: WELLS FARGO & COMPANY
State: FL

Complaint narrative:
Formal Complaint Regarding Wells Fargo Fraud Handling and Security Failures To Whom It May Concern : I am writing to file a formal complaint against Wells Fargo ( WF ) regarding egregious failures in fraud prevention, customer security, and their subsequent victim-blaming practices. I am appalled by WFs handling of fraud incidents involving my accounts, particularly their refusal to acknowledge their systemic security shortcomings, which directly facilitated these events. 

Overview of the Fraudulent Activity and WFs Role On XX/XX/XXXX, a U.S. Postal Service employee at the XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX in XXXX, FL, stole an IRS payment voucher and check that contained my Social Security Number ( SSN ) and checking account information. In response to this mail theft, I took immediate steps to mitigate potential identity theft by filing complaints with the U.S. Postal Service, completing FTC and IRS identity theft forms, and placing a credit freeze with all three major credit reporting agencies. I have to documentation to substantiate this. 

Despite the preventive measures I took and WFs knowledge of my compromised SSN, WF failed to flag my accounts as vulnerable or take any protective actions. This negligence is unconscionable. Had WF simply noted in their records that my SSN and banking information had been compromised, the subsequent events could have been entirely prevented. WF is criticized in on-line reviews of relaying too heavily on SSNs for authentication of clients ' identity. 

Second Incident WFs Security Failures and Impersonation Scam The criminal postal employee and/or dark web accomplices impersonated me and HACKED the WF automated banking system. The criminals had old account numbers from XX/XX/XXXX and my SSN, address, name and cell number. They obtained access to my summary of WF accounts- which includes last four digits of the account number and the current balances. 


On XX/XX/XXXX, I used the same XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX to mail an IRS 940 tax payment, which was similarly intercepted by a criminal postal employee. The first time I used the XXXX XXXX XXXX  in two years and the check and tax form were stolen. This led to multiple fraudulent actions : An altered 940 IRS tax return was sent, falsely claiming I owed {$19000.00} when I actually owed {$2400.00}. 
A fake {$8000.00} check was created and flagged by WF fraud detection on XX/XX/XXXX. 

On XX/XX/XXXX a WF fraud team member called and introduced himself as a WF fraud team member. That was the only measure he took to verify his identity. The WF Frau team member put a hold on the fake check and closed my business checking account over the phone without any secure verification process. This serious lack of security set the stage for further exploitation. 

On XX/XX/XXXX, criminals impersonating WF fraud representatives contacted me repeatedly via cell and text messages. Using information obtained by hacking WFs automated banking system they induced a state of panic and convinced me they were actually with WF and trying to protect me from a hostile credit takeover. 

The scammers possessed : Accurate account balances. 
Last four digits of all my WF checking, savings and WF LOC account. 
My SSN, name, address, and phone number. 

The impersonators manipulated me into authorizing fraudulent transactions, gaining access to multiple WF accounts, credit lines, and linked platforms like XXXX. I was in a state of panic and they took full advantage of that. WF fraud team members have cruelly stated to me, " We know you were scammed and we think you should have known better. '' WFs Scapegoating and Victim-Blaming Rather than take responsibility for their glaring and very serious security failures, WF fraud team members engaged in egregious corporate victim-blaming and scapegoating. They have accused me of participating in and benefiting from these fraudulent transactions, despite clear evidence of being scammed. A letter from the WF Fraud Team dated XX/XX/XXXX, absurdly claimed I owe WF {$100000.00}, based on a presumption that leftover funds in my account was evidence of intentional theft. Who made the decision to infer that I am a criminal? Who decided to block online access to my personal checking and saving account Why? 

WF reimbursed some fraudulent CC charges exceeding {$18000.00}, yet inexplicably decided I was financially responsible for other transactions. This inconsistency is INDEFENSIBLE and raises serious questions about WFs decision-making process and judgement. 

Furthermore : 1. On XX/XX/XXXX, a WF fraud specialist informed me that their automated banking system was likely hacked, allowing criminals to access account summaries. I was instructed to place a hold on any future automated banking. Despite this, WF fraud team subsequently claims to have no record of this. Despite placing a hold on automated banking they claim to have no record that I even requested the hold they told me to activate. This is unconscionable. As of XX/XX/XXXX my WF accounts have a block on any automated banking and the WF team tells me they dont know how it was activated. I have a transcript/recording to prove the block on automated banking is in place. 
XXXX. On XX/XX/XXXX, I requested all records the WF fraud team used to accuse me of theft. WF fraud team promised these documents within 30 days but has failed to deliver them. 

Public Safety & WF Accountability WFs security failures are not just lapsesthey are systemic negligence. Instead of addressing the vulnerabilities in their automated systems and fraud team security protocols, WF has scapegoated me, their customer, to deflect responsibility. This is nothing less than vicious and unconscionable corporate victim-blaming of the highest order. 

I will not allow WF to scapegoat me, and ruin me financially, while evading accountability. I am committed to exposing these issues and systemic negligence to help others who might be victims by : Sharing my story with any and every news outlet, reporter, regulatory agency, or social media platform willing to listen. 
Advocating for stricter banking regulations to prevent similar abuses to others in the future. 

Closing Wells Fargos treatment of me is unacceptable and reflects a systemic disregard for customer security and fair treatment. The WF frau team is blatantly victim blaming and scapegoating me in a shameful display of corporate greed and arrogance. I urge you to address this matter promptly and responsibly. 

Sincerely, XXXX 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