Consumer complaint received 2020-05-28
Company: JPMORGAN CHASE & CO.
State: CA
Product: Checking or savings account
Sub-product: Checking account
Issue: Managing an account
Sub-issue: Deposits and withdrawals

Complaint:
My husband passed away on XX/XX/2020. His Social Security check of {$1300.00} was deposited on XX/XX/2020. On or about XX/XX/2020 - XX/XX/2020, Chase bank withdrew these funds, deposited them back, withdrew them again, and then deposited them back again, and then put a hold on the money. I called the bank to see if there was fraud on the account as this activity was unusual. I was told that there was a hold on the money because Social Security may take the money back. They informed me they can and will hold the funds for up to 180 days!!

Over the course of the last 6 weeks, I have spent over 5 hours on the phone on hold  and talking to Social Security and Chase Bank. Social Security consistently tells me the money paid for Social Security is always paid arrears. They explained they will not be taking back his XXXX check because it is for XXXX, and he was very much alive in XXXX. Chase is asking for a letter on Social Security letterhead with personal information specific to my husband. Social Security has told me on 5 different occasions that they do not send banking institutions personal information by mail or email, and that Chase Bank should know the fundamental laws of how Social Security is paid. They told me it is stated in " The XXXX XXXX '' with every bank has a copy of. Furthermore, Chase Bank is the only bank doing this in an effort to hold people 's money to collect interest. I even provided Chase with a PDF copy of a booklet published from Social Security that that stated how Social Security is paid out, and when a payment needs to be returned. ( I have attached this booklet and the exact pages here ) Yesterday, XX/XX/XXXX after the complaint being escalated to the " Executive Complaint '' department, I was told I needed Social Security to fill out form SSA 1724 and it needed to be emailed to their department. I was told if Social Security did that, Chase back office would take to hold off the check. After another hour on hold with Social Security, again I was told Social Security does not email anyone, and furthermore that form SSA 1724 is essentially a blank form for them. They were not going to send this to Chase for any reason. 
Today, XX/XX/XXXX, XXXX at Chase Executive office called me and again told me that their decision was to not release the check. I asked why this decision, she had no answer. I asked for the check to be sent back to Social Security. If they were so afraid of Social Security taking the check back why not just send it back to them, rather than sitting in limbo. XXXX told me to have a nice day and hung upon me. 
So here I am, no help from Social Security except to say the money is mine and Chase Bank is playing games, and they can't help me. Plus I gotten absolutely no help from Chase and a bunch of lies. At this point I am not even sure they will ever release the {$1300.00} that is owed to me. 
I am asking for your help in getting Chase Bank to immediately release the hold on the {$1300.00} social security check due my husband that was paid XX/XX/2020 for the money that was owed for XX/XX/2020. 

Thank you

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation