Peeved Wells Fargo customers, who had potentially unauthorized checking and credit card accounts opened, are one step closer towards receiving money for damages. Victims of the Wells Fargo scheme found out Monday that a federal judge granted preliminary approval over the weekend for Wells Fargo's $142 million national class action settlement. However, they may not receive any money until early 2018, CNN Money explained. Wells Fargo admitted back in September to opening the 2 million unauthorized accounts. Federal and state regulators also fined Wells Fargo $185 million last year. Then CEO John Stumpf was forced to resign because of public outcry.