Consumer complaint received 2022-01-14
Company: JPMORGAN CHASE & CO.
State: CA
Product: Checking or savings account
Sub-product: Savings account
Issue: Managing an account
Sub-issue: Deposits and withdrawals

Complaint:
On XX/XX/2022, my sister XXXX XXXX, who has been impacted by the coronavirus and has recently had her own checking account closed at another bank, asked me to deposit a {$6300.00} check she received, into my Chase account. I have a deposited third-party checks made out to her in the past without any issues and agreed. The check was deposited via the mobile app on XX/XX/XXXX. I received a secure message from Chase that the check was accepted and that there would be a 10-day hold. I do not have a problem with the 10-day hold in my checking account as I understand this is a third party check and was for a rather large amount. 
Later that afternoon I received my paycheck from XXXX XXXX. This paycheck was issued from the XXXX XXXX XXXX / tax controller from XXXX XXXX I am newly employed with XXXX XXXX and direct deposit has not been set up yet. Therefore, for the first two to three paychecks I receive paper checks. 

My checking account was overdrawn by a couple XXXX dollars, and because of the hold that was placed on the XXXX check, I decided to deposit my {$1700.00} paycheck into my savings account. My plan was to transfer enough money to cover my overdraft and then withdraw a small amount of money to pay bills. 

Immediately after submitting the check through the ATM in XXXX California, on XX/XX/XXXX, the receipt stated that there would be another hold placed on my paycheck.. not XXXX day, not 2 days, but another 10-day hold. My paycheck from XXXX XXXX will not be available until XX/XX/XXXX. 

I went to the bank branch in XXXX California on XX/XX/2022 in an attempt to remove the hold.The teller who assisted me stated that because of the {$6300.00} check deposited into my checking account and the hold that accompanied it, a hold was also placed on my savings account and my paycheck and my account was restricted. She stayed only the fraud department could determine whether or not the check could be released. She then advised me to bring my sister in with her ID, so that the check could be verified, and then the fraud department would decide if the hold on my paycheck could be released. She also told me if the fraud department determined the restriction and the hold could not be lifted, I would not ever receive the funds from my paycheck. She stated Chase would keep these funds indefinitely Frustrated, but willing to comply with the bank 's request, I returned later that afternoon with my sister who had her ID card as instructed. We were told to sit in the bank 's lobby as a teller made a few phone calls. We were not given any information about what was going on with my account. 

The teller came over to us at XXXX p.m., right before closing, handed us our identification cards back, and told my sister to bring in the original check for examination and that would be the only way the funds could be released. This was not what was told to me when I was there previously that day. 

What's even more outrageous is that per Chase 's recommendation, the XXXX check was destroyed immediately after I received email notification it had been accepted for processing. This recommendation can be found right on the Chase website. My money is being held XXXX and I can not comply with their ransom demands because I did what their consumers are recommended to do - shredded the check. 

If Chase was going to restrict accounts due to mobile deposits of third party checks, then they should not accept these checks. If they accepted the check for deposit, they should not punish me by putting a hold on separate funds. Chase has absolutely no right to earn interest off of my paycheck. This check has cleared. Yet I am refused access to my money. 

I have XXXX young children at home, no gas in my car and a cell phone that's about to be shut off. My food is dwindling. I do not have until XX/XX/XXXX to wait for money. Both of my parents have just died of XXXX and I have nobody I can ask for financial help from. 

Remove the hold, Chase. Give me my money from my paycheck. This incident clearly shows your lack of scruples, ethics, and concern for the American people in the times of a national crisis

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation