Consumer complaint received 2018-01-22
Company: JPMORGAN CHASE & CO.
State: NY
Product: Checking or savings account
Sub-product: Checking account
Issue: Managing an account
Sub-issue: Funds not handled or disbursed as instructed

Complaint:
I am writing to request an intervention into a denial by Chase Manhattan Bank to refund {$2100.00}, in fraudulent checks that were presented and cashed by the bank on XX/XX/XXXX and XX/XX/XXXX. 
On XX/XX/XXXX, my office received a telephone call from XXXX XXXX ( XXXX, Tel XXXX ) stating that he noticed a few potentially fraudulent checks. I immediately contacted him and informed him that the checks that he identified ( Check # s listed below ) were not written by anyone from our company, nor signed by me ( the only signer ) and therefore, the checks were in fact fraudulent. 
I was at a local branch, on XXXX XXXX and XXXX XXXX, at the time I received this call on XX/XX/XXXX. I immediately sat down with a branch officer to report these checks as fraud. XXXX XXXX, branch officer, immediately called their fraud unit and reported fourteen checks as fraud and was given a Claim # XXXX. 
The Chase Fraud Unit reviewed the case and made a decision to refund only the checks that were presented on XX/XX/XXXX, totaling {$970.00}. Those that were presented on XX/XX/XXXX, which totals {$2100.00}, were not refunded. I was not pleased with their decision, and as such, I requested a second, and then, a third review of the circumstances, but to no avail. 
My branch officer, XXXX XXXX XXXX ( XXXX ), also contacted the Fraud Unit and asked them to reconsider their decision, but again the results were the same, denial. Chase staff at the XXXX/XXXX branch have been phenomenal in trying to assist me with this matter. 
There were several glaring issues with the checks that should have alerted Chase to their fraudulent status : 1. Fraudulent Checks are not signed with my name and I am the only signer on the account 2. Fraudulent Checks that were presented were not in sequence with the checks that I was writing at the time 3. Fraudulent Checks do not have the same Chase logo or address 4. Fraudulent Checks have no line for any signature I attached copies of the fourteen fraudulent checks that were cashed : XXXX - {$190.00} XXXX - {$290.00} XXXX - {$190.00} XXXX - {$290.00} XXXX - {$190.00} - refunded XXXX - {$190.00} - refunded XXXX - {$190.00} - refunded XXXX - {$190.00} XXXX - {$290.00} XXXX - {$190.00} XXXX - {$290.00} XXXX - {$190.00} - refunded XXXX - {$190.00} - refunded XXXX - {$190.00} For comparison, in order to clearly differentiate our valid checks from the fraudulent checks, I have also attached a copy of 4 legal checks. ( XXXX, XXXX, XXXX, XXXX ). These 4 valid checks written and signed by me and presented on the same dates of XX/XX/XXXX and XX/XX/XXXX. Please note both the glaring differences in the check sequences, as well as the pertinent data. 
In summary, Chase refunded 5 checks that were presented on XX/XX/XXXX ( XXXX- $ XXXX- $  XXXX- $ XXXX- {$190.00} XXXX XXXX - {$190.00} ). The total refund was {$970.00}. The total denial is {$2100.00}. 
Chase contends that since there was fraud on my account over a year ago and I did not, thereafter, change my companys account number, that I was responsible for the loss. I asked for reconsideration, as I explained that changing my account number would result in a severe financial hardship. In that, my income is based on direct deposits from our insurance payers and this money would be delayed. This calculation is based on my experience with Chase 3 years ago, when I changed my account number due to fraudulent checks and my funds were delayed. Also, please note that the aforementioned account number change did not prevent another round of fraudulent checks one year later. 
The name of my company is XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, a company that I started in XX/XX/XXXX to provide XXXX XXXX XXXX to the minority community. We help over 300 persons per year with their XXXX XXXX, so that they can be functional citizens for themselves, their family, and the community at large. 
Our income is nominal and we struggle to meet bi-weekly payroll for the community staff that we employ to serve our clients. Chases decision to deny {$2100.00} to a small company has caused a tremendous impact on our budget. I know that for Chase and other large companies, this amount is miniscule and is less that a drop in the bucket, but for us, it means less service, reducing some employees hours to compensate for the loss. 
In today 's volatile times, digital theft is on the rise and banks must be on guard to circumvent it when possible. In that light, if XXXX XXXX was able to recognize the fraud, and went overboard to contact us, then Chase should have recognized the fraudulent checks, as well. It goes without saying that Chase was negligent in performing the minimum amount of due diligence, before approving theses checks More importantly, they should be held accountable instead of my small company. 
In summary, after reading the above, I hope that you render a favorable judgment on the part of the company, and further, that you intervene to enjoin Chase to refund the companys money. I can be contacted via email at XXXX or ( XXXX ) XXXX. 
Thank you for your time, attention, and consideration of this very important matter. I look forward to your response. 

Sincerely, XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation