Wells Fargo Lawsuit Settlements 2026, Three Active Cases Still Accepting Claims—Deadlines Fast Approaching
Wells Fargo faces multiple settlements in 2026 with critical deadlines ahead. The $33 million free-trial scam settlement accepts claims until March 4, 2026, the $85 million fake interview settlement until April 14, 2026, and the $1.3 million West Virginia COVID forbearance case awaits final approval February 20, 2026.
Active Right Now: $33 Million Free-Trial Scam Settlement
Claim Deadline: March 4, 2026 (URGENT)
Case: McNamara v. Wells Fargo & Co., Case No. 3:21-cv-01245-TWR-DDL, U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California
What Happened: Wells Fargo allegedly helped companies running “free trial” scams by opening 150+ shell accounts, allowing scammers to charge consumers for products they never authorized.
Consumers signed up for “risk-free trials” for supplements, personal care products, and e-cigarettes, agreeing to pay only shipping costs. Companies then charged full product prices without authorization and enrolled victims in recurring monthly billing.
Settlement Amount: $33 million
Who Qualifies: Anyone enrolled in recurring billing by Tarr Entities, Triangle Entities, or Apex Entities from 2009 to present.
Eligible Companies Include: Tarr Inc., Ad Kings LLC, Apex Advertising LLC, Brand Development Corp., Coastal Ads LLC, Delux Advertising LLC, Diamond Ads LLC, Digital Nutra LLC, and 40+ others (full list at FreeTrialRecurringBillingSettlement.com)
Payment Amounts:
- With documentation: Proportional share based on documented losses (credit card statements, bank statements, email receipts)
- Without documentation: Up to $20 flat payment
- Minimum payout: $10 (amounts below this are redistributed)
How to File:
- Visit FreeTrialRecurringBillingSettlement.com
- Enter your unique class member ID and PIN from settlement notice
- If you didn’t receive notice, contact settlement administrator at 888-884-1172
Key Dates:
- Opt-out/objection deadline: March 5, 2026
- Claim deadline: March 4, 2026
- Final approval hearing: March 26, 2026
- Payments: Approximately 60 days after final approval (late May/early June 2026)
Contact:
- Mail: Free Trial Recurring Billing Settlement, P.O. Box 6397, Portland, OR 97228-6397
- Phone: 888-884-1172
IMPORTANT: Class members who previously received FTC payment for Triangle/Apex lawsuits do NOT need to file a new claim.
Active Right Now: $85 Million Fake Interview Settlement
Claim Deadline: April 14, 2026
Case: SEB Investment Mgm’t AB v. Wells Fargo & Co., U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California
What Happened: A June 2022 New York Times investigation revealed Wells Fargo conducted sham interviews with diverse candidates for jobs already filled, violating its diversity hiring policy.
Shareholders sued, claiming the bank misled investors about diversity efforts. When the truth emerged, stock prices dropped.
Settlement Amount: $85 million
Who Qualifies: Anyone who purchased or acquired Wells Fargo common stock between February 24, 2021, and June 9, 2022, and suffered losses.
Payment Amount: Estimated $0.056 per eligible share (approximately $59.05 million after expenses distributed to claimants)
How to File:
- Visit wellsfargosecuritiesaction.com
- Click “FILE A CLAIM”
- Submit documentation showing:
- Purchase dates
- Number of shares
- Purchase prices
- Sale dates and prices (if sold)
Key Dates:
- Preliminary approval: November 13, 2025
- Opt-out/objection deadline: March 2026
- Claim deadline: April 14, 2026
- Final approval hearing: May 5, 2026, 2:00 p.m. Pacific
Contact:
- Website: wellsfargosecuritiesaction.com
- Mail: PO Box 173025, Milwaukee, WI 53217
- Phone: 866-905-8128
- Email: [email protected]
Pending Final Approval: $1.3 Million West Virginia COVID Forbearance Settlement
Final Approval Hearing: February 20, 2026
Case: Kirkpatrick v. Wells Fargo
What Happened: Wells Fargo and HSBC Bank USA sent misleading letters to West Virginia borrowers about mortgage payments during COVID-19 forbearance programs.
Letters allegedly misrepresented what would happen with missed forbearance payments at the end of loan terms.
Settlement Amount: $1.3 million
Who Qualifies:
- Wells Fargo mortgage borrowers with West Virginia mailing address OR property located in West Virginia
- Participated in COVID-19 forbearance
- Received a letter between March and December 2020 discussing missed forbearance payments
Settlement Class Size: Approximately 2,010 accounts
Payment Amount: Estimated up to $400 per account (actual amounts may vary)
How to Claim: NO claim form required. Eligible borrowers automatically receive payment after final approval.
Timeline:
- Final approval hearing: February 20, 2026
- Payments: Expected after final approval (likely March-April 2026)
Already Completed: $185 Million COVID Forbearance National Settlement
Status: Settlement effective February 15, 2025 — Payments ongoing
Case: In re Wells Fargo COVID Forbearance Settlement Litigation, Case No. 2:24-cv-01026-MHW-EPD, U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio
What Happened: Homeowners alleged Wells Fargo placed them into COVID-19 forbearance without informed consent and required lump-sum payments to exit, violating CARES Act protections.
Settlement Amount: $185 million
Who Qualified: Homeowners with Wells Fargo mortgages who entered COVID-19 forbearance and faced improper exit requirements.
Status:
- Final approval: December 19, 2024
- Settlement effective: February 15, 2025
- Automatic payments: Began March 2025
- Supplemental claims filed before January 10, 2025: Currently being processed
Website: wellsfargocovidforbearancelitigation.com
Already Completed: $2 Billion CFPB Consumer Redress
Status: Payments distributed 2024-2025
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ordered Wells Fargo to pay $2 billion to 16 million customers who suffered from illegal banking practices between 2011-2022.
What Happened:
- Unlawful overdraft fees
- Wrongful vehicle repossessions
- Denied legitimate mortgage modifications
- Accounts frozen without reason
- Misapplied loan payments
Who Got Paid:
- Auto loan customers: $1.3 billion
- Mortgage customers: $200 million
- Deposit account customers: Remaining funds
Status: Payments completed. The CFPB terminated the consent order in October 2025 after confirming Wells Fargo met all obligations.
If you believe you qualified but didn’t receive payment, call Wells Fargo Settlement Hotline: 844-484-5089
Already Completed: $1 Billion Securities Settlement
Status: Distributions complete
Case: In re Wells Fargo & Company Shareholder Derivative Litigation, Case No. 3:18-cv-3948
What Happened: Shareholders sued over the fake accounts scandal (2002-2017). Wells Fargo opened millions of unauthorized accounts, charging customers fees without consent.
Settlement Amount: $1 billion
Who Qualified: Anyone who purchased Wells Fargo common stock between February 2, 2018, and March 12, 2020.
Status:
- Final approval: September 8, 2023
- First distribution: October 22, 2024
- Second distribution: July 23, 2025
- Claims period: CLOSED
Website: wellsfargosecuritiesclassaction.com
Related article: 29 States Demand One Trial for Meta, “Instagram Is a Drug, We’re Basically Pushers” Says Company’s Own Research
Additional Recent Settlements
$48.5 Million Senior Premier Banker Overtime Settlement
Filed: November 30, 2023 (Perez v. Wells Fargo)
Claims: Wells Fargo misclassified Senior Premier Bankers as overtime-exempt, denying proper overtime pay.
Settlement: $48.5 million (September 2025)
Who Qualified: Senior Premier Bankers employed in the past three years
Average Payout: $7,137 per class member
Result: Wells Fargo converted all Senior Premier Bankers to hourly, non-exempt status with overtime pay.
$19.5 Million Unauthorized Call Recording Settlement
Case: Aguilar Auto Repair et al. v. Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., et al.
Claims: Wells Fargo and telemarketer recorded sales calls to California businesses without consent, violating California Invasion of Privacy Act.
Settlement: $19.5 million
Period: October 22, 2014 – November 17, 2023
Who Qualified: California businesses who received at least one recorded call promoting Wells Fargo merchant services
Payment: $86 per call, up to $5,000
Status: Claims deadline passed April 11, 2025. Final approval hearing scheduled May 20, 2025. Payouts expected November 2025.
Understanding the Pattern
Wells Fargo’s legal troubles stem from years of systemic problems:
The Fake Accounts Scandal (2002-2017): Employees opened millions of unauthorized accounts to meet aggressive sales quotas.
High-Pressure Sales Culture: Internal pressure to cross-sell products led bankers to ignore risks, opening accounts for shell companies and enabling fraud.
COVID-19 Mortgage Failures: The bank allegedly violated CARES Act protections by improperly handling forbearance programs.
Diversity Deception: While publicly touting diversity hiring, the bank conducted sham interviews with diverse candidates for already-filled positions.
How to Know If You’re Eligible
For Active Settlements (File NOW):
$33 Million Free-Trial Scam (Deadline: March 4, 2026): Check credit card statements from 2009-present for unauthorized recurring charges from supplement, personal care, or e-cigarette companies.
$85 Million Fake Interview (Deadline: April 14, 2026): Check if you purchased Wells Fargo stock between February 24, 2021, and June 9, 2022.
For Automatic Payments:
$1.3 Million West Virginia COVID: If you had a Wells Fargo mortgage with a West Virginia address and participated in COVID forbearance (2020), you qualify automatically.
$185 Million National COVID: If you had a Wells Fargo mortgage and entered COVID forbearance, you may have already received payment. Check wellsfargocovidforbearancelitigation.com for updates on supplemental claims.
$2 Billion CFPB: If you had Wells Fargo accounts between 2011-2022, check recent mail, email, or bank statements for “reimbursement” deposits. Call 844-484-5089 if you think you qualified.
Beware of Scams
Wells Fargo settlements attract scammers.
Legitimate Communications:
- Come from wellsfargo.com or official settlement websites
- NEVER ask for banking credentials or passwords
- NEVER request payment to process claims
- Provide verifiable settlement administrator contact
Scam Red Flags:
- Unsolicited calls promising “fast payouts”
- Requests for account passwords or Social Security numbers
- Demands for upfront fees
- Pressure to “act now or lose eligibility”
If Unsure:
- Verify through official settlement websites
- Contact Wells Fargo directly
- Report fraud to CFPB or FTC
What This Means for 2026
Wells Fargo remains under enhanced oversight from:
- Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC)
- Federal Reserve
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)
For Consumers:
- Banks face higher penalties for systemic misconduct
- Regulators prioritize consumer redress over fines
- Automatic payment mechanisms reduce claim barriers
For Banking Industry:
- Increased scrutiny of sales practices
- Stricter mortgage servicing oversight
- Enhanced diversity hiring accountability
- Tighter controls on third-party vendor relationships
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Wells Fargo settlements are still accepting claims?
Two settlements are currently accepting claims:
- $33 million free-trial scam (deadline: March 4, 2026)
- $85 million fake interview (deadline: April 14, 2026)
Do I need receipts for the free-trial scam settlement?
Not required, but documentation increases your payment. Without documentation, you receive up to $20. With proof of losses, you receive a proportional share.
I owned Wells Fargo stock during multiple periods. Can I claim from multiple settlements?
Yes. Each settlement covers different time periods:
- February 2, 2018 – March 12, 2020: $1 billion settlement (CLOSED)
- February 24, 2021 – June 9, 2022: $85 million settlement (OPEN until April 14, 2026)
Will settlement payments affect my taxes?
Payments for financial losses (principal) are typically not taxable. Payments including interest may be taxable. Consult a tax professional.
What if I closed my Wells Fargo account years ago?
You may still qualify if you had accounts during relevant periods. Settlement administrators attempt contact at your last known address.
Can I opt out and sue separately?
Yes, but you must submit written opt-out requests by specified deadlines. Opting out means no settlement money but preserves your right to individual litigation.
When will I receive payment from active settlements?
- $33 million free-trial: Approximately 60 days after March 26, 2026 final approval (late May/early June 2026)
- $85 million fake interview: After May 5, 2026 final approval (summer 2026)
- $1.3 million West Virginia COVID: After February 20, 2026 final approval (spring 2026)
What if my calculated payment is less than $10?
The $33 million free-trial settlement has a $10 minimum. Payments below this threshold are redistributed among other claimants.
What documents do I need for securities settlements?
Brokerage statements, trade confirmations, or documents showing:
- Purchase dates
- Number of shares
- Purchase prices
- Sale dates/prices (if applicable)
Are more Wells Fargo settlements expected?
Possibly. The bank faces ongoing investigations. Check ClassAction.org and TopClassActions.com for updates.
What should I do if I didn’t receive notice but think I qualify?
Contact the settlement administrator for the specific settlement. Provide your name, address, and relevant account information to verify eligibility.
I received an FTC payment for Triangle or Apex. Do I need to file a new claim?
No. If you previously received FTC payment for Triangle or Apex entities, you’re automatically included in the $33 million Wells Fargo settlement. No new claim form required.
Key Takeaways
- THREE ACTIVE SETTLEMENTS accepting claims in early 2026
- $33 million free-trial scam: Claim deadline March 4, 2026
- $85 million fake interview: Claim deadline April 14, 2026
- $1.3 million West Virginia COVID: Final approval February 20, 2026 (automatic payments)
- $185 million national COVID and $2 billion CFPB settlements: Payments complete or ongoing
- Beware of scammers—legitimate settlements never ask for banking credentials
- Multiple completed settlements totaling over $2.5 billion distributed 2024-2025
Next Steps
If you qualify for active settlements, don’t delay:
$33 Million Free-Trial: Visit FreeTrialRecurringBillingSettlement.com before March 4, 2026
$85 Million Fake Interview: Visit wellsfargosecuritiesaction.com before April 14, 2026
Check Your Eligibility: Review your Wells Fargo account history, stock purchases, and credit card statements to determine if you qualify for any active or pending settlements.
The clock is ticking. Missing these deadlines means forfeiting your share of settlement funds.
About the Author
Sarah Klein, JD, is a licensed attorney and legal content strategist with over 12 years of experience across civil, criminal, family, and regulatory law. At All About Lawyer, she covers a wide range of legal topics — from high-profile lawsuits and courtroom stories to state traffic laws and everyday legal questions — all with a focus on accuracy, clarity, and public understanding.
Her writing blends real legal insight with plain-English explanations, helping readers stay informed and legally aware.
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