Consumer complaint received 2025-03-05 00:00:00
Product: Checking or savings account — Checking account
Issue: Managing an account — Problem accessing account
Company: WELLS FARGO & COMPANY
State: FL

Complaint narrative:
XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XX/XX/XXXX To : Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ( CFPB ) XXXX XXXX XXXX/www.consumerfinance.govXXXX CC : Office of the Comptroller of the Currency ( OCC ) XXXX Subject : Complaint Against Wells Fargo Unjustified Account Restrictions and Business Disruption Business Checking Account No. XXXX XXXX XXXX Issue Summary I am a small business owner with a limited operating capital of {$20000.00}. Submitting this formal complaint against to Wells Fargo Bank for restricting my online banking access and debit card usage. Despite multiple attempts to seek clarification, the bank provided vague or conflicting explanations. While currently outside the United States, I rely on my Wells Fargo online banking access and debit card to manage business transactions, pay contractors, and fulfill vendor obligations. 

Serious Consumer & Business Violations : 1. Lack of Prior Notice & Justification : My account was arbitrarily restricted without any due process of calling me first for a transaction verification violating consumer protection laws. I did receive an email after the online access was restricted.

2. Placed my account under review for ten business days, after one hour and a half on the phone with an online fraud detention department verifying the incoming and outgoing transactions for the amount of {$1900.00} same amount both ( refund ) were legitimate, the agent decided completely freezing my ability to operate, despite no reasonable cause being provided. The unusual transaction before to be sent out was pass through a XXXX security token that is a multi-factor authentication device that generates random security code. There was not a real explanation what they need to verify ( Exhibit 1 ) 3. Severe Financial Harm for My Business : * I lost critical business opportunities because I could not access my funds. 
* Delayed payments to vendors and contractors put my employees at risk. 
* Vendors were not paid, affecting my business relationships. 
4. Unfair Treatment of Small Business Owners : The bank 's carelessness and reckless policies disproportionately harm small business owners like me who rely on uninterrupted banking services. Wells Fargo has failed in its duty to act in the best interest of its clients, particularly small business owners. This conduct constitutes unfair, deceptive, and abusive acts and practices ( UDAAPs ) under the Consumer Financial Protection Act ( 12 U.S.C. 5531 ). 
5. Geographic Restriction & Complete Financial Blockade : I am currently outside the United States, meaning I have no alternative way to withdraw my funds or conduct business. I asked if the bank could place an internal transfer of my funds to another account, but it was not doable. On Friday XXXX the bank unblocked my debit card and taking the funds out cost {$600.00} for 3 % of merchant fees. I can not afford more business losses due to Wells Fargo mistake. 
6. Severe financial distress, as I do not have additional operating capital. 
XXXX. Emotional and mental stress, as I have been forced to call Wells Fargo daily being disrespect by the online fraud detention department and at the end of the day with no resolution of my case. 
8.Just for the record similar situation happened to me in XX/XX/XXXX during pandemic Wells Fargo Bank credit department withdrew the entire balance business account mistakenly I set up the auto-payment for the amount of {$250.00} and they returned the money after thirty days ( 30 ). I did not know better about the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency ( OCC ) can give a fine to a bank. I did not even hear an apology for taking my money away from Wells Fargo employees. It seems Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., has a license to violate consumer rights. Cases filed in XXXX with the CFPB case No. XXXX No. XXXX. 

I am attaching the facts of my case day by day of how I have been not help by getting a expedite resolution to keep running my business, Thank you for your help : )

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