This is what I told the Comptroller of the Currency who regulates Wells Fargo's Banks in Texas: Wells Fargo Bank has rigged its computers to extort illegal NSF charges from its customers. This first happened to me Christmas week. I deposited a check from my husband's bank on December 20 in Wells Fargo's South Padre Island Branch, "Our Bank". As you can see from the enclosed check, Wells Fargo cashed and received its money the next day, December 21.
However Wells Fargo withheld these funds from my account for more than ten days leaving us with no money at Christmas and allowing Wells Fargo to amass $99 in illegal NSF charges. When I inquired at the bank the explanation was that they didn't know if my husband's check was any good despite the fact that they already had their money and that we have been following this practice of depositing money from my husbands account to my account in this manner for many years, in fact for as many years as we have been with Wells Fargo. A deposit was never delayed before. After several trips to the bank and showing them a copy of the canceled check they bitterly refunded the illegal NSF charges.
Next in January Wells Fargo again withheld crediting a deposit to my account so they could again amass $99 in illegal NSF charges on the same day as the deposit. If they had credited the deposit first there would have been no NSF charges. This triggered two more NSF charges of and additional $66 dollars, which could not have occurred if they had credited my deposit ahead of the spurious NSF charges. One of the NSF charges was for a $3.75 Wells Fargo insurance policy we have been trying to cancel for months. No one at Wells Fargo seems to know how to do this.
Day One: When I saw this online I immediately went to the bank and complained. I was told I would have to speak directly with the branch manager who was unavailable. I am very busy, I work two jobs and go to school one-half day so I asked that the branch manager call me.
Day Two: The branch manager did not call. I returned to the South Padre Island Branch again hoping to speak with the Branch Manager but was told she was unavailable and that she was the only one who could help me. I was invited to return the next day. I again asked that the branch manager call me at home or on me cell phone.
Day Three: The branch manager did not call. I returned to the South Padre Island branch again the branch manager was unavailable. I again asked that the branch manager call me. I then decided to go the South Padre Island Branch's supervisory bank in Port Isabel. I explained the problem I was having and was promised their supervisor would credit the bogus NSF charges. However to my surprise the supervisor I needed to speak with was unavailable. I was told no one else could help me. It was suggested I return the next day. I asked that the supervisor call me.
Day Four: The Port Isabel branch supervisor did not call nor the did South Padre Island branch manager call. I returned to the Port Isabel branch but was again told the supervisor was not available but I was welcome to wait. When I eventually spoke with the supervisor, she told me her employee was incorrect, while the NSF charges appear to be a bank error she could not help me. Even though they supervise the South Padre Island branch, since my accounts are in the South Padre Island branch only the South Padre Island branch manger could help me. I again called the South Padre Island branch but the branch manager was unavailable. I asked that she call me.
Day 5: The South Padre Island Branch manager did not call.
Day Six: The South Padre Island Branch manager did not call. I called the South Padre Island branch ("Our Bank") but the branch manager was unavailable. I spoke with my personal banker Adler Bush who offered to credit two of the NSF charges. He said only the branch manager could credit all the bogus NSF charges and she was unavailable This was unacceptable but I agreed to accept credit for two NSF charges until I could speak with the branch manager. I explained that my classes are in Brownsville from 8 AM until Noon and since the bank doesn't open until 9 AM it would not be possible for me to return in the morning except for a Saturday morning. I was told the branch manager was unavailable on Saturdays. I again asked that the branch manager call me.
Day Seven: The South Padre Island branch manager did not call. I called the bank, but the branch manager was unavailable. I again registered my complaint with Adler Bush and asked that the branch manager call me. I also advised Mr. Bush that I felt I could no longer trust Wells Fargo and would be closing my accounts as soon as I could find a new bank. Mr. Bush said I would have to return to the bank in person to close my accounts.
Day Eight: The South Padre Island branch manager did not call.
Desired Resolution:
The obvious resolution is three fold:
A refund of the five bogus NSF charges
An explanation of this new greed-driven policy to extort NSF charges An apology for the run-around and never returning my calls
I have decided to close my Wells Fargo accounts after 5 years of mostly very friendly and fine service. However when one can no longer trust the financial institution that holds one's assets it is time to look for a new bank. We trusted Wells Fago so much Fargo we even financed our home through Wells Fargo. We will find a new lender. My personal banker Adler Bush never did make good on his promise to credit two of the NSF charges.
Martina
South Padre Island, Texas