Live in California? You could score up to $5,000 from Wells Fargo, all it takes is a quick form thanks to a $19.5 million payout deal

Wells Fargo settlement in California could pay you up to $5,000—If you live in California, you could be looking at a surprise payday—up to $5,000 to be exact—thanks to a new Wells Fargo settlement payout. The banking giant agreed to a $19.5 million settlement after being accused of violating California’s strict privacy laws. All you need to do to see if you’re eligible? Fill out a simple online form.

What is the Wells Fargo $19.5 million settlement about?

This Wells Fargo settlement stems from claims that the bank—or more specifically, a third-party sales partner called The Credit Wholesale Co. Inc.—illegally recorded phone calls with California residents and businesses without their permission. That’s a major violation under the California Invasion of Privacy Act (CIPA).


Between October 22, 2014, and November 17, 2023, Credit Wholesale Co., acting on behalf of Wells Fargo Bank N.A. and Priority Technology Holdings Inc., allegedly recorded thousands of calls without notifying the other party. These were typically appointment-setting or sales calls regarding credit card processing services.

Under California law, all parties must be informed when a call is being recorded. So this lawsuit accused them of breaking that rule. Wells Fargo has not admitted to any wrongdoing but agreed to settle to avoid a prolonged legal battle, according to Top Class Actions.

Who qualifies to receive the Wells Fargo cash settlement?

Here’s where it gets interesting. You don’t have to be a Wells Fargo customer to qualify. If you live in California—or you’re a California business—and you received a call from The Credit Wholesale Co. Inc. during that nine-year span, you could be eligible.

Even just one call could make you eligible for a cash payout.

Here’s what you’ll need to file a claim:

• The phone number that received the call.
  
  
• If you’re a business, the name of the company that received the call.
  
  

That’s it. No complicated documents or lengthy application processes.

How much money can you actually get from this settlement?

While payouts will depend on how many valid claims are filed, the estimated payout per call is around $86. If you received multiple calls, your total compensation could stack up significantly.

Some claimants might even receive up to $5,000, depending on how many times they were contacted and how the final payout is divided.

That means if you got just a few calls over the years, you could still walk away with a couple hundred bucks—or much more.

What’s the deadline and how do you file your Wells Fargo settlement claim?

The easiest part? Filing your claim online. A dedicated website has been set up for the settlement, where eligible individuals and businesses can submit their information.

You’ll just need to:

1. Enter the phone number(s) that were contacted.
   
   
2. Submit the name of the business (if applicable).
   
   
3. Fill out any required fields and submit the form.
   
   

The deadline for submitting claims hasn’t been made public yet, but these settlements usually come with a limited window, so it’s smart to act fast once the official site is up.

Why did Wells Fargo agree to this settlement now?

Wells Fargo has had its fair share of legal troubles in the past, and this case is just one more chapter in its ongoing efforts to move past regulatory issues. Although the bank denies any wrongdoing, agreeing to the $19.5 million payout allows them to settle the matter without going to trial.

As part of the settlement, The Credit Wholesale Co. Inc. has agreed to stop recording appointment-setting calls to California residents or businesses without notifying them at the start of the call.

This case highlights just how serious California is about protecting residents’ privacy rights, and why businesses need to be extremely cautious when handling personal conversations.

Should you check if you're eligible?

Absolutely. If you live in California and received even one call from The Credit Wholesale Co. Inc. on behalf of Wells Fargo between 2014 and 2023, you may be entitled to money. With estimated payouts of $86 per call and maximum awards reaching $5,000, this is one of those rare times when a little paperwork might actually pay off.

FAQs:

Who qualifies for the Wells Fargo settlement payout?
Anyone in California who got a call from Credit Wholesale Co. Inc. between 2014–2023.

How much can I get from the Wells Fargo phone call lawsuit?
You could receive up to $5,000 depending on how many calls you got.