A judge is expected to rule on the class action request by this summer. Wachovia, in court filings, has denied the suit’s allegations. The company declined to comment on the pending litigation.

However, Wachovia’s senior vice president for risk management, Alan Chudoba, said that the bank introduced reforms aimed at telemarketing frauds last summer. Those changes, which came about after an article in The New York Times last May reported that thieves had used Wachovia accounts, include greater scrutiny of accounts used by telemarketers and stronger fraud protections.

In a statement, Wachovia said: “Earning the trust of our customers is at the heart of what we do every day and we regret this situation occurred. We took this issue very seriously, and senior management, led by C.E.O. Ken Thompson, was actively involved in directing aggressive steps to correct the processes related to this situation. We are confident that the changes we’ve implemented will help protect our customers.”

Some advocates cautiously applaud the bank’s efforts.

“This could be very good news for millions of consumers,” said Kathleen Keest with the Center for Responsible Lending, a group working to eliminate abusive financial practices.

“But reforms tend to happen quickly in the light of publicity, followed by backsliding when the spotlight fades,” Ms. Keest added.

One of the lawyers handing the Pennsylvania suit said Wachovia should do more. “I don’t understand why, like other banks, Wachovia simply doesn’t have a policy to avoid any business related to telemarketers,” said Howard Langer, of the firm Langer, Grogan and Diver.

A Wachovia spokeswoman said the bank was not currently working with any telemarketers, would review any future clients who do work with telemarketers, and would reject any client solely focused on telemarketing.