I have been a customer of Wells Fargo for a little over 2 years and until recently had not had any problems with them.in January of this year I opened a new checking account and closed my old one as I was having problems with unauthorized debits from that account. I contacted their fraud department and was told that the offending charges were a result of me "giving out my debit card number like it was toilet paper" I use my debit card for my normal monthly bills (gas, water, electric, cable, internet, cell, etc)
I occasionally purchase items (physical items) off of the internet from trusted sources that I have done business with in the past. I was instructed to close that account and open a new account with a new card (made sense to me) I went to my local branch and opened the new account, and transferred the remaining funds into my new account. The banker asked me if I had any checks or debits pending and I advised no. She then stated that the account was closed. I thought the problem was over and I could move on.
I then started to check my statements and began to notice that every other day I was hit with a $35.00 NSF fee.By the time I caught this almost $500.00 had been removed from my account. I called the customer service number as it was after my local branches business hours. I was met with a rude representative who told me that I was irresponsible and that my old card was being used but the account had no funds thus the fees for insufficient funds. I advised him that the account was closed in January and that I wanted the fees refunded to my account as they were part of a fraudulent transaction. He stated that they would do nothing of the sort and asked if he could do anything else for me. I told him no and hung up and drove to the nearest ATM and withdrew the remaining funds in my account.
I called the following day and asked to speak to a banker or a manager to explain the situation and to get the fees refunded. I was initially transferred to a personal banker and I explained the situation she then transferred me externally to the fraud department who after 15 minutes answered and advised that I would not be getting the fees refunded as they appeared correct. I then made contact with my local branch again and closed the 2nd account. That is when the fun began.
Approximatly 2 weeks after closing the account the collection calls began to come in. First it was just my home and cell phones, but after explaining that I would not be paying the fees as they were predatory they began to call my former employer. They called often per what the staff at my former employer had advised me even calling 5 minutes after calling them and advising the staff member that " I had just called them (Wells Fargo) from that number. Considering that I hadn't used the phone there in over 3 months?
Luckily I have gotten the calls to stop here recently after retaining a lawyer and having him contact them. I recently called to get a copy of my statements as I intend to file suit to recoup my fees that they had charged me in addition to the complaint for their blatant violations of the FDCPA. Now they refuse to provide me copies of the statements locally and when I call the customer service number they want $36.00 to print and fax the statements to me to provide to counsel.
As of today's date Wells Fargo has refused to close the other account as they say it has been reopened due to the card being actively used but yet it hasn't been swiped. I know this as it is in a box here on my desk as I type this shredded into about 12 neat little pieces as I have yet to burn it.
Please stay away from this bank, it is no where worth the stress. I myself had been told to stay away by a friend of mine that is a former employee there, but stupid me didn't listen. I should be able to proceed with my case in early September (as soon as I raise the rest of the filing fees) If anyone has other advise please respond.
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