Consumer complaint received 2023-01-17
Company: JPMORGAN CHASE & CO.
State: FL
Product: Checking or savings account
Sub-product: Checking account
Issue: Managing an account
Sub-issue: Deposits and withdrawals

Complaint:
Please accept this written complaint about JP Morgan Chase Bank 's unjust racial discrimination, profiling, and systemic stereotyping. The bank has served me since XX/XX/XXXX. XXXX XXXX XXXX, who is also an authorized user on my Chase credit card, signed a check to me on XX/XX/XXXX. Previously, I deposited over {$20000.00} on XX/XX/XXXX, and another check in XX/XX/XXXX. I assumed depositing at the ATM would be no issue given the prior history. Both third-party signatures were on the check at the time of deposit. My Chase personal account was fully restricted the following day, and I was only told to enter a Chase branch with my aunt to complete third-party verification of checks, after which the account restriction would be lifted but the check deposit would still have to go through normal processing. The branch examined our two ( 2 ) forms of IDs, which was our chase credit card and driver license. Copies were sent to Chase 's back office after my relative confirmed that the check was authorized to be deposited into my account. After the back office received the IDs showing two black people, I was told my account would stay restricted due to fraud suspicion. I asked them how that was possible because XXXX XXXX XXXX issued a positive pay file batch to XXXX XXXX, and everything on the check matched. After speaking to the back office, I felt overwhelming anxiety and a feeling of being patronized. I asked Chase for the source of information, but they refused and said my checking account would stay restricted. I told them that my account should be unrestricted since Chase verified that my aunt authorized the check deposit, and I had payments to be withdrawn the next day. I went to two more branches on XX/XX/XXXX, to have my account unrestricted and expressed that I felt discriminated against. Associate banker, XXXX XXXX, called Chase back office and spoke to an escalation XXXX who validated the check 's authenticity with the maker and verified funds at XXXX XXXX. The escalation XXXX spoke to XXXX XXXX at XXXX XXXX XXXX, who said Chase Bank called many times to verify the check. After several successful verifications on XX/XX/XXXX, Chase still refused to remove the account restriction, making me feel racially targeted and stereotyped. 

I arranged a payment on XX/XX/XXXX, to XXXX after returning from XXXX, as I was unable to access my XXXX accounts while outside of the country. Payment was presented on XX/XX/XXXX and returned to XXXX with the " frozen '' notice. Since I was out of the country, my loan payment couldnt be made on time for the XX/XX/XXXX due date, which means the return that Chase caused can possibly affect my credit. My credit reports had no poor payment history before this unlawful account restriction. I couldn't transact on my account at the time of presentation. After visiting numerous Chase branches for two days, I called the maker of the check ( XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX ), who found it peculiar that the Chase XXXX risk system included a verification number of a terminated temporary employee instead of their corporate number. Since XXXX XXXX XXXX is XXXX of Florida 's largest firms, Chase should have had their number, but it appeared to be a stall tactic to unsuccessfully verify the validity of the check. XXXX XXXX 's Treasury had to quickly activate the terminated phone number to get the matter resolved without any further delay on Chase 's behalf. Even after yet another complete verification during the afternoon of XX/XX/XXXX, my account was still restricted. I was scrutinized and discriminated against after depositing a check from my aunt stocks to help pay off debt that was incurred during a separation from my spouse. I left both Chase branches feeling humiliated and discouraged. The attempt to criminalize me and insinuate fraud was depressing and caused me unnecessary anxiety. If my skin color had been different, I would not have experienced so much prejudice, much alone been locked out of my accounts for several days even after in-branch verification. I am extremely hurt and disappointed as this Chase incident has triggered past trauma due to systematic racism. Banking while XXXX in XXXX means navigating an American world that constantly disrespects XXXX people who had to go through several centuries of systematic racism and oppression.

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief