In September 2016, Wells Fargo entered into agreements with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, and the Office of the Los Angeles City Attorney to address allegations that some of our retail customers received products or services they did not request. Customers that may have had an account or service opened without their consent or without being fully informed of the details of the account or service may be eligible for remediation. Additional details regarding the remediation that Wells Fargo has provided are outlined below.
Third Party Account Analysis
In August 2017, Wells Fargo completed an expanded third-party review of retail banking accounts to identify potentially unauthorized accounts and fees and charges paid by customers related to those accounts. The accounts and services included in the review were Wells Fargo consumer or small business checking or savings accounts, credit cards, unsecured lines of credit, and online bill pay services.
Specifically, Wells Fargo conducted a review of data associated with these accounts and services opened from January 2009 to the end of September 2016. Wells Fargo has provided refunds and credits to customers for potentially unauthorized accounts and online bill pay enrollments identified during this review for which customers paid fees and charges.
Customer Complaints and Mediation Claims
In addition, Wells Fargo has provided refunds and credits to customers of fees and charges associated with potentially unauthorized accounts and online bill pay services that were identified in response to customer complaints and mediation claims.
Class-action Settlement – Jabbari v. Wells Fargo
Customers have also received compensation under the $142 million class-action settlement for accounts dating back to 2002 if the customer submitted a claim form before the July 7, 2018 deadline or if they complained to Wells Fargo in the past about an unauthorized account. Customers who complained to Wells Fargo about an unauthorized account during the January 1, 2011 to March 23, 2017 time period were automatically enrolled as participants in the class-action settlement. Please consult WFSettlement.com for additional information on the settlement’s status.
After plaintiffs’ attorneys’ fees and costs of administration, the class-action provided reimbursement of fees not already refunded and compensation for increased borrowing costs due to credit-score impact associated with a potentially unauthorized account. Remaining funds were distributed to the participants in the class on a per account basis.
The class-action settlement agreement covered all persons who claimed that Wells Fargo opened an unauthorized consumer or small business checking or savings account or an unsecured credit card or line of credit between May 1, 2002 and April 20, 2017. The settlement also covered customers who enrolled in certain identity theft protection services during that period (details are available online at WFSettlement.com).
Continuing Efforts
Wells Fargo continues to work with any customers who contact us with any sales practices concerns, including customers who did not participate in the remediation described above. Customers who may have had an account or service opened without their consent or without being fully informed of the details of the account or service may be eligible for compensation, correction of credit bureau information caused by the unauthorized account, and, among other things, an opportunity for no-cost mediation if the company is unable to resolve an issue related to an unauthorized account directly with the customer.
At this time, all Jabbari class-action settlement payments have been issued, the deadline to cash them has passed, and the distribution phase is complete. However, if you are an eligible settlement class member with an uncashed payment, you may still claim your payment. To do so, you must send a written request, either via email to info@wfsettlement.com, or via U.S. Mail to: Wells Fargo Unauthorized Accounts Settlement, P.O. Box 2594, Faribault, MN 55021-9594.
If you have additional questions about the Jabbari class-action settlement, please consult WFSettlement.com. The settlement administrator also provides some recorded information concerning the settlement at 1-866-431-8549. If you have questions about other potentially unauthorized accounts or services not already addressed in your Jabbari settlement claim, we encourage you to contact our Customer Care Team at 1-844-931-2273.
