Consumer complaint received 2026-01-13 00:00:00
Product: Credit card — General-purpose credit card or charge card
Issue: Problem with a purchase shown on your statement — Card was charged for something you did not purchase with the card
Company: WELLS FARGO & COMPANY
State: NY

Complaint narrative:
Dear Wells Fargo Legal & Compliance Department, This letter constitutes a formal legal notice that Wells Fargo Bank , N.A . has violated the Electronic Fund Transfer Act ( 15 U.S.C. 1693 et seq. ) and its implementing Regulation E ( 12 CFR Part 1005 ) by failing to properly investigate and resolve an unauthorized electronic fund transfer, despite having been provided with substantial documentary evidence. 

This matter was previously escalated to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau under CFPB Complaint No. XXXX, which Wells Fargo closed without correcting the underlying federal law violation described herein. The closure of that complaint does not relieve Wells Fargo of its statutory obligations under the Electronic Fund Transfer Act. 

I. TRANSACTIONS AT ISSUE The following electronic fund transfers are in dispute : - Dispute # XXXX {$1000.00} XXXX XXXX - Dispute # XXXX {$1000.00} XXXX XXXX Total amount : {$2000.00} The funds were received by XXXX XXXX, XXXX. 

XXXX. NO AUTHORIZATION FOR TRANSFER TO XXXX XXXX XXXX ( XXXX ) Although I initiated a payment believing it was made to the contracting party, I did not authorize any transfer to XXXX XXXX, a XXXX  legal entity. 

All negotiations, representations, and contractual agreements were conducted exclusively with a different company XXXX XXXX ( XXXX ). At no point was I informed, disclosed to, or did I consent to the transfer of funds to a third-party legal entity located in XXXX. 

The payment link provided to me displayed only the name XXXX, without disclosing : - that the recipient was a separate legal entity ; - that the recipient was located in a different jurisdiction ; - that funds would be routed to a third party not named in the contract.

Due to the use of an identical business name, I was materially misled into believing the payment was being made to the same entity with which I had contracted.

III. MISREPRESENTATION VOIDS AUTHORIZATION UNDER REGULATION E Under 12 CFR 1005.2 ( m ), an electronic fund transfer is unauthorized if the consumer did not give valid authorization.

Authorization obtained through material misrepresentation of the merchants identity is legally invalid and voids consumer consent under Regulation E.

Although the payment was initiated by me, my consent was obtained through deception and lack of disclosure, and therefore does not constitute valid authorization under federal law.

This is not a dispute regarding service quality.

This is a case of merchant identity deception resulting in an unauthorized third-party fund transfer.

IV. WELLS FARGOS STATUTORY VIOLATIONS Wells Fargo has violated federal law by : 1. Misclassifying this matter as a service-related dispute rather than an unauthorized electronic fund transfer ; 2. Failing to conduct a lawful investigation under Regulation E despite receiving substantial evidence ; 3. Ignoring documented proof that I never authorized a transfer to XXXX XXXX ( XXXX ) ; 4. Improperly revoking provisional credits, contrary to 15 U.S.C. 1693f ; 5. Maintaining its denial even after escalation through CFPB Complaint No. XXXX, without curing the statutory violations. 

V. FOREIGN LITIGATION IS NOT A LEGAL REQUIREMENT I am a U.S. consumer with a U.S. bank account.

The funds were routed to a foreign entity without my authorization. 

Federal law does not require me to pursue litigation in XXXX or XXXX to obtain relief. 
The Electronic Fund Transfer Act places the duty to investigate and reimburse unauthorized transfers on the financial institution, not on the consumer. 

VI. DEMAND FOR IMMEDIATE COMPLIANCE Pursuant to 15 U.S.C. 1693f and 12 CFR Part 1005, I hereby demand that Wells Fargo Bank , N.A . : 1. Reclassify this matter as an unauthorized electronic fund transfer under Regulation E ; 2. Conduct a lawful investigation in compliance with federal requirements ; 3. Permanently credit {$2000.00} back to my account.

VII. NOTICE OF INTENT TO PURSUE LEGAL REMEDIES If Wells Fargo fails to comply within 10 business days, I will proceed with : - filing a new CFPB complaint citing continued violations of federal law ; - escalation to state and federal regulatory authorities ; - and legal action against Wells Fargo Bank , N.A . for violations of the Electronic Fund Transfer Act. 

This letter serves as formal pre-litigation notice. 

Sincerely, XXXX XXXX XX/XX/year>

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