Consumer complaint received 2025-12-23 00:00:00
Product: Checking or savings account — Checking account
Issue: Problem caused by your funds being low — Bounced checks or returned payments
Company: WELLS FARGO & COMPANY
State: TX

Complaint narrative:
CFPB Complaint Wells Fargo Bank , N.A . 

Consumer : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  : Wells Fargo Bank , N.A . 
Issue Type : Illegal account restraint, seizure of non-party funds, failure to follow legal process Related Party : XXXX XXXX ( court-appointed receiver ) COMPLAINT SUMMARY I am submitting this complaint regarding Wells Fargo Banks unlawful restraint and seizure of funds without lawful process, including the taking of protected retirement funds belonging to my husband, who was not a party to any receivership order. 
Wells Fargo restrained and allowed the taking of funds without being served with a writ of garnishment or writ of execution, and without lawful service by a sheriff or constable, relying instead on electronic communication from a private receiver. 

DETAILED STATEMENT OF FACTS On or about XX/XX/XXXX, Wells Fargo restrained funds in an account associated with me based solely on a receivership communication sent electronically by XXXX XXXX, who identified himself as a court-appointed receiver. 
On XX/XX/XXXX, I contacted Wells Fargo Legal Order Processing Department and spoke with a representative named XXXX in their levy/ legal department . I was explicitly informed that : Wells Fargo was not served with a writ of garnishment Wells Fargo was not served with a writ of execution Wells Fargo received only a receivership notice The communication was delivered electronically The communication was sent by the receiver XXXX XXXX, not by a sheriff or constable Despite the absence of any lawful writ or proper service of process, Wells Fargo restrained funds and allowed money to be taken. 

UNLAWFUL SEIZURE OF NON-PARTY TMRS RETIREMENT FUNDS In addition to restraining my account without lawful authority, Wells Fargo allowed the seizure and transfer of my husbands retirement funds held with the XXXX  XXXX XXXX XXXX ( XXXX ). 
My husband was not named as a defendant, judgment debtor, or party to any receivership order. No court order authorized the seizure of his retirement funds. XXXX funds are protected retirement assets, and Wells Fargo had no legal authority to restrain, freeze, or permit their transfer. 
This constitutes the unlawful taking of third-party funds, conversion, and a serious failure to safeguard consumer assets. 

HARM TO CONSUMERS As a result of Wells Fargos actions : Funds were restrained without due process Non-party retirement funds were unlawfully taken Access to money needed for basic living expenses was denied Financial hardship, stress, and administrative burden were imposed REQUESTED RESOLUTION I respectfully request that the CFPB : 1. Investigate Wells Fargos procedures for honoring receivership communications 2. Determine why funds were restrained without a writ or lawful service 3. Require Wells Fargo to cease restraining accounts absent proper legal process 4. Require written confirmation of what documents were received and who authorized the restraint 5. Require corrective action and policy changes CLOSING This was not a clerical error. It reflects a systemic failure to require lawful process before depriving consumers and non-parties of access to protected funds. 

Respectfully, XXXX 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