It was discovered in the last few years that Wells Fargo opened millions of fake bank accounts without the knowledge of customers. More recently, customers and watchdog groups have wondered if other banks, including Capital One Bank, have been involved in also opening fake bank accounts.

USA Today has recently reported that Wells Fargo may not have been the only bank involved in a large fake bank account scandal. Wells Fargo, in the last couple of years, was discovered to have pressured its employees to open millions of fake bank accounts and services under the names of customers who had no idea these accounts were being opened.

Employees of Wells Fargo say they were compelled to do this in order to meet sales targets and help them gain additional sales bonuses. Along with having to pay out a $142 million settlement, Wells Fargo was forced to pay fines for creating fake bank accounts as well as agree to reform the way they encourage their employees reach their sales goals.

However, according to USA Today, other banks may have done the same or similar things. In looking at a group of about 40 American banks, federal investigators from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency found that there were 10,000 fake bank accounts were opened in the last three years without the knowledge or authorization of customers.

Federal investigators did not reveal the names of the banks where these fake accounts were discovered. But private consumer advocates are now looking into whether Capital One Bank may have been one of these banks. Other banks being investigated for possibly creating fake bank accounts include Bank of America, BOK Financial, HSBC, Royal Bank of Canada and TD Bank.

The USA Today article does not name these banks specifically, but it claims that when it reviewed the forty banks, about 10,000 illegitimate bank accounts were found.

The Office of the Comptroller of Currency testified this summer in front of congress and alleged that these banks did not have the proper paperwork to back up 10,000 bank accounts. In essence, these banks could not prove that these bank accounts were actually opened by real customers or if they were opened illegally in ways similar to the Wells Fargo fake bank account scandal.

The Office of the Comptroller of Currency told Congress, “The OCC did not find pervasive or systemic issues in regard to improper account openings but did find the need for banks to improve their policies, procedures and control.”

However, the Wells Fargo scandal has customers of other banks, including Capital One Bank, wondering if fake bank accounts have been opened in their name.

Banks who engage in this type of behavior may not only be opening up fake bank accounts. They may be signing up customers for extra services, like online bill pay, that they did not authorize.

There are some signs to watch for if you wonder if you may be the victim of unauthorized banking practices or fake bank accounts. You may check for odd overdraft fees or expensive bank fees you were not aware of. Also, customers should of possible extra expensive bank fees or interest charges. Additionally, if a customer sees a change in their credit report, this can also be a sign that there may be fake bank accounts or unauthorized services taken out in his or her name.

If you are a customer of Capital One Bank or another bank and suspect you may be the victim of a fake bank account or unauthorized banking services, you may be eligible for legal compensation.