South Carolina Couple Sues Wells Fargo Over $72,360 in Overnight Wires

Melanie and Jack Anderson of Bluffton, South Carolina, are suing Wells Fargo after two overnight wire transfers totaling $72,360 left their checking and savings accounts. The couple says they did not approve them.

One transfer took $22,500 from checking, while the other moved $49,860 from savings. Melanie Anderson said she discovered the transfers when she checked the account and had no knowledge of them. “I didn’t authorize it,” she said.

The lawsuit alleges hackers obtained the couple’s online banking credentials and sent the money without multi-factor authentication or live confirmation. It also accuses Wells Fargo of denying the fraud claim without a meaningful investigation, provisional credit or a prompt attempt to recall the wires.

Wells Fargo rejected the claim within days, saying its verification system had worked. The bank’s denial letter said it could not reimburse transactions a customer authorized or negotiated with unknown individuals, even if the customer acted in good faith. Wells Fargo declined to comment on the lawsuit and said it empathizes with people affected by financial scams.

The case has moved to federal court. Dave Maxfield, the couple’s attorney, said arbitration is possible.