The fastest way to close your account

Call Wells Fargo at 1-800-869-3557 and tell them you want to close your checking account. Have your account number ready. They will ask why you are leaving, confirm your identity, and walk you through the steps on the phone. The account closes immediately, though any pending transactions may still process for a few days after.

If you have automatic bill payments or direct deposits set up, stop them before you call. Wells Fargo will not automatically redirect them, and if a payment bounces because the account is closed, you are responsible for any late fees or consequences. Check your recent statements for anything on autopay.

You can also close the account in person at any Wells Fargo branch. Bring your ID and your debit card. This takes about 10 minutes. In-person closure is useful if you want to withdraw cash at the same time or if you have questions about what happens to pending transactions.

Key Takeaways

  • Call 1-800-869-3557 or visit a branch in person to close your account; both methods close it the same day.
  • Cancel automatic bill payments and direct deposits before closing, because Wells Fargo will not move them to another account.
  • Pending transactions may still clear for several days after closure, so check your balance before you close.
  • If you have a linked savings account or credit card, closing your checking account does not affect them.
  • Request written confirmation of closure; keep it in case a charge appears after the account is closed.

What happens to pending transactions and checks

Checks you wrote before closing may still clear after the account is closed. If the check clears and there is no money in the account, Wells Fargo will charge you an overdraft fee. To avoid this, wait until all checks you have written have cleared, or ask the people you wrote them to to hold off on depositing them until you have moved the money to a new account.

Automatic payments scheduled to come out of the account will bounce if the account is closed before they process. Your biller will see the payment as failed and may charge you a late fee. Contact each company with an automatic payment set up — your utility, insurance, loan servicer, subscription services — and give them your new account number at least a week before you close.

Pending deposits, like direct deposit from your employer, will not go into a closed account. Tell your employer or the source of the deposit your new account number before you close. If a deposit attempts to post to a closed account, it usually bounces back to the sender, and you will have to resubmit it to the correct account.

Closing a joint account

If the account is joint, both account holders must agree to close it. Wells Fargo will not close a joint account over the phone if only one person calls. Both of you need to either call together or visit a branch together with ID.

If you and the other account holder disagree about closing, you cannot unilaterally close a joint account. You can remove yourself as an authorized user, which leaves the other person as the sole owner, but that is different from closing the account. To remove yourself, call Wells Fargo and ask to be removed; they will process it, but the account stays open under the other person's name.

What to do with money still in the account

Before you close, withdraw or transfer all remaining money. You can withdraw cash at a Wells Fargo ATM or teller, or transfer the balance to another bank account. If you leave money in the account after it closes, Wells Fargo will hold it and you will have to contact them to retrieve it — a process that can take weeks.

If the account goes negative (you owe money), you must pay the overdraft before closing. Wells Fargo will not close an account with a negative balance. Pay the overdraft fee and any charges, then close.

Debit card and online access after closure

Your debit card will stop working immediately after you close the account. If you have set up online bill pay through Wells Fargo, those payments will fail if they are scheduled after the closure date. Cancel any scheduled payments in your online account before you close, or update them to pull from a different account if Wells Fargo allows it.

Your online login will still work for a short time after closure, but you will only see a read-only view of the closed account. You cannot make new transactions. After 30 to 90 days, Wells Fargo typically removes closed accounts from your online dashboard entirely.

Getting written confirmation

Ask Wells Fargo for written confirmation of the closure. If you close by phone, they will mail it to you or you can ask them to email it. If you close in person, ask the teller to print a receipt showing the account is closed. Keep this document for your records in case a charge appears on your credit report or a company claims you still owe money on the account.

The confirmation will show the date the account closed and the final balance. If you closed with a negative balance, it will show that too. This protects you if Wells Fargo later tries to collect on the account or if a debt collector contacts you claiming you owe money.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will closing my Wells Fargo checking account hurt my credit?

Closing a checking account does not directly affect your credit score because checking accounts do not appear on your credit report. However, if the account goes negative and Wells Fargo sends it to collections, that will hurt your credit. Pay any overdraft before closing to avoid this.

Can I reopen a closed Wells Fargo checking account?

Yes, but only within a limited time. If you close the account and change your mind within 30 days, you can usually reopen it by calling or visiting a branch. After 30 days, Wells Fargo treats it as a new account and you will have to go through the full opening process again, including a new ChexSystems check.

What if Wells Fargo keeps charging me after I close?

Contact Wells Fargo immediately and dispute the charge. Explain that the account is closed and ask them to reverse the fee. If they do not, file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) at consumerfinance.gov. Keep your closure confirmation to prove the account was closed on a specific date.

Do I need to close my Wells Fargo savings account too?

No. Checking and savings accounts are separate. Closing your checking account does not affect your savings account. You can keep the savings account open or close it separately if you want.

What happens to unclaimed money if I close without withdrawing everything?

Money left in a closed account becomes unclaimed property and is turned over to your state's unclaimed property program after a set period, usually three to five years. You can reclaim it by contacting your state's treasurer office, but it is easier to withdraw everything before closing.