Consumer complaint received 2020-08-19
Company: JPMORGAN CHASE & CO.
State: TX
Product: Credit card or prepaid card
Sub-product: General-purpose credit card or charge card
Issue: Trouble using your card
Sub-issue: Credit card company won't increase or decrease your credit limit

Complaint:
I write for immediate resolution to the racist and unethical action taken by JP Morgan Chase of stealing the {$8000.00} I paid towards my credit card to cover my XXXX  and travel expenses during this pandemic. As a result, I am away on travel from home with no means to return or ability to secure temporary housing. As you can imagine this has posed great risk and harm to me personally during a time of unprecedented duress. The idea that a bank would place profit over the safety and well-being of its clients is unconscionable and I will do anything within my means to raise issue to this despicable action. Specifically : Around XX/XX/XXXX, I contacted Chase customer service to make sure that payments made to my credit card would increase the balance to allow me to cover expenses for immediate travel and lodging. At that time I had a credit limit of {$26000.00} Chase representatives confirmed that any payments would increase the balance to allow for travel and shelter plans during the pandemic and there would not be any card adjustments to the limit. 
I made two in-person payments at a branch and one on-line. 
Subsequently, after my last payment of {$3000.00} on XX/XX/XXXX ( for a total of $ XXXX in the monthly cycle ), I received a letter on XX/XX/XXXX indicating that Chase reviewed my credit file and reduced my credit limit by {$8000.00}. 
I cant help but believe that because I am XXXX XXXX and went into the branch and made two cash payment that is triggered a random review. 
The letter from the credit decision to reduce my limit indicated " PAYMENT AMOUNT ABOVE THE REQUIRED MINIMUM ON SOME CHASE CARDS, CREDIT REPORT SHOWS DELINQUENCY, PUBLIC RECORD OR BANKRUPTCY, ONE OR MORE CHASE CARDS HAS RECENT FINANCE CHARGES '' First, on a recorded conversation, Chase lied about the availability of my payments. 
Then, it wasnt until that I made in-person payments that it triggered a review and I happen to be XXXX American. 
Upon review of my credit history, the assertions in the credit report are FALSE. I have no such delinquency, bankruptcy or delinquent payments in my 30-year credit history. 
The recent high balances are only due to the launch of my business, and historically, I have repaid all of my credit balances. 
I have spent a week of my time with the executive office trying to resolve this. They refuse to give me any other information regarding the criteria they used to make the decision outside of the recent high balances. Prior to this year, Ive had little to no activity and they were always paid. 
I asked for possible repayment of the {$8000.00} if I wasnt able to better understand the rubric around the credit decision. The did so and no I have no balance or capacity to use the card which has stranded me. 

I believe these actions to be irreprehensible to lie to your customers, present fraudulent info on the credit decision to lower my credit limit and not to mention, discriminatory. These actions are unconscionable. Taking this action during a pandemic, when millions are facing jobless and homelessness is cause for immediate concern. Not to mention the disproportionate affect the pandemic and history of redlining has done to XXXX and minority communities. Chase essentially took my money towards my XXXX travel expenses and left me stuck and no options for shelter or travel. This abrupt, reckless action and complete disregard for your clients well-being and safety has to be reckoned with. I fully expect to bring this to the attention of the media so that there is sufficient coverage and others do not face the same fate that I have. Where is the decency in this after you have taken millions of dollars in federal monies to help customers affected by covid. It is harmful and dangerous to leave your clients stranded when there is not a history of non-repayment risk. 

Chase must rectify this by allowing me access to my payments and restoring my credit limit so I can ensure a means for shelter and travel home. Ive asked for resolution to my problem immediately but to no avail. Please contact me at ( XXXX ) XXXX to resolve this.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation