Wells Fargo's blow to its clients: they'll take action today if you don't make this move

In the United States, Wells Fargo has issued a threat that's causing concern among its customers. The bank announces that it will close inactive accounts if customers don't make a small gesture before the deadlines are reached.

The warning has been in effect since April 2025, and many users are already receiving emails or notifications informing them that their accounts, if they remain dormant, will be canceled.

Wells Fargo takes action: be very careful with your account

Wells Fargo explains that any account—whether checking or savings—that doesn't receive any customer-initiated activity for 16 consecutive months (1.33 years), will be considered inactive and will be at risk of being closed automatically. This waiting period doesn't include automatic transactions, such as interest or fees, which don't reset the inactivity counter.

The 16-month (1.33-year) period for closing accounts has already come into effect. As early as April 2025, notifications began to be sent to those who had accounts with no activity since December 2023. So, any forgotten account could be on the verge of closure without its holder realizing it.

Why is Wells Fargo taking this drastic measure?

The bank wants to reduce operating costs, avoid dormant accounts that don't provide value, and minimize fraud risks. In addition, this measure allows it to comply with state regulations on unclaimed property, meaning abandoned funds that must be transferred to the state.

Customers are reacting with surprise and concern, and some have shared how they received communications unexpectedly. One case involved the withdrawal of 130,000 USD from an account closed due to inactivity, although the customer was later able to recover the money. This episode has fueled distrust and doubts about whether minimal activations like small transfers are enough.

If your account is closed due to inactivity, this will happen

Wells Fargo clarifies that a minimal gesture is enough to keep an account active. It can be a transfer, a deposit, a payment, or even simply logging into the mobile app. Automatic activities like charges, recurring payments, or interest don't count, so customer-initiated activity remains key.

If your account is closed, access disappears and no transactions can be made. Then, any remaining funds are sent to the corresponding state as unclaimed property, and recovering them is possible but complicated. Each state requires procedures that can be lengthy and may require additional documentation.

This is how you can avoid this blow from Wells Fargo

The solution is very simple: before the inactivity period is reached, make a small transaction—deposit 1 USD, withdraw something, transfer money, make a purchase with the card, or simply log in to the web portal or app. That gesture resets the counter and gives you another 16 months (1.33 years) of leeway. Wells Fargo also sends alerts to notify users and prevent automatic closures without a chance to react.