Consumer complaint received 2021-02-16
Company: JPMORGAN CHASE & CO.
State: TX
Product: Checking or savings account
Sub-product: Checking account
Issue: Managing an account
Sub-issue: Deposits and withdrawals

Complaint:
Greetings CFPB, I am writing regarding an ongoing matter with Chase Bank and their seemingly 'dragging their feet ' regarding the processing/cashing of two checks going back in XXXX! XXXX totaling {$65000.00}. 

My personal checking account with Chase Bank is identified as follows : Name of Institution : Chase Bank Name on Account : XXXX XXXX ( me ) Debit Card : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Overview : Two checks were written in good faith to me from XXXX XXXX to me ( XXXX XXXX ) back in XX/XX/XXXX, totalling {$65000.00}. 

The issuing bank ( XXXX XXXX ) honored and released the ENTIRETY of these funds from the holdings of XXXX XXXX to Chase Bank. These checks ( {$55000.00} and {$9300.00} ) were placed on hold in my account by Chase Bank for what they called validation and verification. 
In the meantime, Chase bank inadvertently CLOSED my account early in XXXX, XXXX for no apparent reason. My account was in good standing, but I was informed this was done in error. However, even though they recognized this as THEIR error, they didn't reinstate my account, but instead, said 'the account is closed and you will be issued a check finalizing your account, including the two outstanding checks! 

Since, XXXX XXXX subsequently died on XX/XX/XXXX. Her account has now been closed. 

The two checks totaling XXXX issued to me have been honored by XXXX XXXX and continue to sit with Chase Bank! 

I have made many calls to Chase Bank, seemingly all to an XXXX call-center and always without satisfaction. 

I have gone into the Chase Bank branch in XXXX Texas on many occasions in an effort to have this finalized AND HAVE DONE EVERYTHING THAT'S BEEN ASKED OF ME! 

I have been asked for following ( for verification and documentation purposes ) and have supplied to Chase Bank in the form of : PROOF OF DEATH At Chase Banks request, an original Death Certificate for XXXX XXXX XXXX was provided to me by the XXXX family and presented by me at a Chase Bank branch in XXXX, Texas on XXXX of XXXX, XXXX. This IS in their system! 

After speaking with XXXX  from Chase Banks Escalation Department on XX/XX/XXXX, he advised Chase Bank would need to be supplied further evidence and documentation to provide validation, verification to facilitate issuance of these funds to me, XXXX XXXX : >I had to prove the beneficiary ( " POD '' ) of XXXX XXXX 's account is her son, XXXX XXXX, and he has to show he authorizes these checks. 

>I informed Chase Bank XXXX XXXX lives in XXXX, XXXX and of course, with the pandemic, would be unable to come into a Chase Branch to prove his identity and authorize these checks.

>As such, Chase Bank requested the following information, which I informed XXXX XXXX and he organized at his expense and time ( {$400.00} ) and sent to me to submit to a Chase Branch ( which I have ) - ALL NOTARIZED and with an APOSTILLE, as requested by Chase Bank.

1. BANK STATEMENT PROVING Beneficiary Status : Evidentiary proof that XXXX XXXX, is the sole POD beneficiary of the account of XXXX XXXX XXXX. 
Submitted in person by XXXX XXXX ( me ) on XX/XX/XXXX for consideration, an ORIGINAL and latest XXXX XXXX account statement from XXXX XXXX ( XXXX XXXX Reference # : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX ) ; 2. AUTHORIZATION : Submitted by me personally, a notarized and with Apostille authorisation from XXXX XXXX at the Chase Bank branch in XXXX, Texas : XXXX XXXX, being the sole beneficiary on his mothers XXXX XXXX account ( in the name of XXXX XXXX XXXX ), recognize and authorize the funds from the two checks ( totalling {$65000.00} ) issued to XXXX XXXX by my mother ( XXXX XXXX XXXX ) to be released and processed in an efficient and forthright manner in the form of a check written to XXXX XXXX. 

3. PROOF OF IDENTITY Proof of identity of XXXX XXXX was provided, including documents, with US passport, US Birth Certificate ( which also showed 'XXXX  XXXX XXXX XXXX as his mother and XXXX Drivers License ) ALL notarized, ALL provided with an Apostille ( issued by the XXXX Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade ) and now personally submitted by Mr XXXX XXXX XXXX Chase Bank branch in XXXX , Texas . All other documents have been notarized and also provided with an Apostille ( issued by the XXXX Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade ) and now personally submitted by Mr XXXX XXXX. 

This fulfills ALL of Chase Banks requirements in releasing these funds in entirety to me, XXXX XXXX. This has gone on for 5 months and it is now business day 6 after presenting ALL required documents and I have not been contacted by Chase Bank OR their legal department ( which is outside the promised 3-5 business days, as quoted by XXXX of Chase Bank ) ; and I note for your records there have been many banking errors made by Chase Bank, including accounting errors, closing my account without his authorization and much misinformation given along the way. These occurrences have all added to the emotional distress and hardship for all parties ( when we should be allowed to mourn the loss of a beloved friend and mother in XXXX XXXX ). 

I may be contacted directly at : XXXX XXXX XXXX or email : XXXX Yours truly , XXXX XXXX ( XXXX ) XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX, TX XXXX

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation