Consumer complaint received 2026-06-16 00:00:00
Product: Checking or savings account — Checking account
Issue: Managing an account — Deposits and withdrawals
Company: WELLS FARGO & COMPANY
State: NV

Complaint narrative:
Consumer Complaint Against Wells Fargo Bank I am filing this complaint regarding Wells Fargos handling of a check deposit in the amount of {$4700.00}, which has caused me financial hardship, confusion, and a negative account balance despite the funds reportedly clearing. On XX/XX/year>, I deposited a check for {$4700.00} into my Wells Fargo account. Wells Fargo initially verified the deposit and released {$400.00} into my account. I used those funds after being told that the remaining balance would be available the next day. On XX/XX/year>, Wells Fargo reversed the {$400.00} that had already been made available, which placed my account into a negative balance. The remaining funds from the check were also not released. When I called Wells Fargo customer care, I was told there was an issue involving the other bank and possible suspicious activity, but Wells Fargo did not provide a clear explanation or transparent information about what was happening. I then contacted the bank the check was drawn from, XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, and also spoke with the owner of the account who signed the check during a three-way call. They confirmed that the funds were available in the account. When I called Wells Fargo back, I was told that the processing department had placed a hold on the funds until XX/XX/year>, supposedly to investigate the issue. I explained that this was causing me financial hardship, but Wells Fargo told me that the system placed the hold and that they could not change it. Because this occurred over the weekend, I waited until Monday, XX/XX/year>, and went in person to the Wells Fargo branch located at XXXX and XXXX in XXXX XXXX, Nevada. I spoke with a banker, who made calls to try to determine why the hold had been placed on the check. The branch manager then became involved. I was told that the check did not show who it was from, or did not have a company name or logo, and that processing said id have to wait til XX/XX/year>. Even then they stated they probably wouldn't deposit the check. They suggested I contact the owner of the check and have him do a wire. After leaving the Wells Fargo branch I contacted the one who wrote the check to me and had him do a wire. He sends wire receipt. On XX/XX/year>, I received a call from the owner who signed the check. He stated that a wire transfer did not go through because the check had already cleared through Wells Fargo on XX/XX/year> and he didn't have the funds available to cover the wire and the check. I then called XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX and spoke with XXXX, a branch manager. She confirmed that the funds from the check had cleared on XX/XX/year>. After receiving that confirmation, I returned to the same Wells Fargo branch and spoke with the banker and another manager. They stated that they did not know why the funds had not been released. I was then given a different explanation, including that the check had no company name and also something about another check with the same check number, which did not make sense to me. I was again told that I would have to wait until XX/XX/year>. I asked how I was supposed to buy food or handle basic needs while my money was being withheld, especially after the funds had already cleared. I left the branch to avoid conflict. I then contacted the Wells Fargo Executive Office of the President. The first time, I was connected with Risk or the Prevention Contact Center. I was again told that they could not do anything about the hold, that the system placed it, that no one could override it, and that a temporary credit was not an option, even though humans created this system. Meanwhile, my account remained more than {$400.00} negative, and I was at risk of additional fees and financial harm. I specifically asked where my money was being held and why Wells Fargo was continuing to withhold the funds after XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX confirmed the check had cleared and I had a physical screenshot receipt of it clearing on XX/XX/XXXX along with branch managers confirmation. I was told that Wells Fargo wanted to hold the funds in case the other bank stopped payment. However, I have been given multiple contradictory explanations by Wells Fargo, including alleged suspicious activity, an issue with the check format, a missing company name or logo, and another check with the same check number that nothing Wells Fargo has said makes sense. I contacted the Wells Fargo Executive Office of the President again and explained that Risk had not resolved the issue and that the funds had already cleared on XX/XX/year>. I was told the matter would be escalated and that someone would call me back the same day. I did not receive a call back. Instead, I received an email stating that Wells Fargo would look into the matter case # XXXX, but that it could take up to 10 days. That response is not sufficient given the financial hardship caused by Wells Fargos actions. The facts are as follows : Wells Fargo initially verified the check and released {$400.00} to me. After I used those funds, Wells Fargo clawed the money back the next day and placed my account into a negative balance. Wells Fargo then continued withholding the remaining deposit and provided inconsistent explanations for the hold. XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX confirmed that the funds were available and later confirmed that the check cleared with Wells Fargo XX/XX/year>. The check was professionally created by XXXX XXXX which banks are very familiar with. Despite this, Wells Fargo has continued to withhold the funds, while my account remains negative and subject to overdraft fees.

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