Consumer complaint received 2019-10-10
Company: JPMORGAN CHASE & CO.
State: NY
Product: Checking or savings account
Sub-product: Checking account
Issue: Managing an account
Sub-issue: Deposits and withdrawals

Complaint:
On XX/XX/2019, I deposit 6 checks double endorsed in increments of {$4400.00} each, totaling {$26000.00}. On my receipt it stated that the funds would clear on XX/XX/2019. About 2 days later, I had gone to make a purchase and unbeknownst to me, my account was blocked. I became aware when I realized that I had funds in my account and I was unable to make purchases. I then called the bank and spoke to a Chase representative and I was then informed by the telephone banking representative that my account was blocked and I was unable to use it due to fraudulent activity. The representative proceeded to ask me where did I get the funds from, who gave the checks to me, and insinuated that I was committing fraud. I informed the representative that the checks were never reported stolen. That Thursday XX/XX/2019 I was to receive a payroll deposit from a XXXX XXXX   XXXX government agency and when I went to check my account balance I saw that my direct deposit did not post to my account. Again, I called a Chase representative and I was informed that there would be a two business day hold placed on the funds, because a fraud alert was placed on my account. I have been getting direct deposit to my account for over 3 years from the same government agency. I was told the funds would be available the following Tuesday because that Monday was a holiday and the bank was closed so I had to wait an extra day. When I checked my account again, I was told that the only way that I would have access to the direct deposit balance would mean I had to go to a branch and withdraw the funds, and I would be able to withdraw the direct deposit from my account because again my account had a fraud alert placed on my account. 
I then went to the a branch on XXXX XXXX  to withdraw the funds and I was told that I had to see a banker. When I went to the banker he told me that he had to get permission to release the funds because my account was flagged for fraud. A couple days went by and my account was now closed. At no time out of all the times I had contacted Chase had any of Chase bank representatives contacted me regarding the closing of my account. I called the bank again regarding the account closing and after being questioned about where I got the check from again, and who did it belong to and I had committed fraud, I was then told that the person whose check it belong to needed to come to the bank and verify/authorize my depositing the funds into my account. From day one I was never informed of the proper steps to take to resolve the issue. 
I then came into the bank at XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX, New York with the person to authorize the check deposit was not fraudulent and I had permission to make the check deposit and to reopen the account so the funds would be released. I was then told that the check was mailed back to me and I had to wait for it to arrive in a few days. That never happened so I went back to the branch only to be told by the branch manager that a certified check was mailed out and that I should receive the check by Friday XX/XX/2019. I never received that check in the mail. I then went back to the bank on Monday XX/XX/2019 and spoke to the branch manager again and she forwarded me to one of the bankers at the XXXX XXXX branch named XXXX. XXXX advised me that the check was sent to some other department for release and that my accounts were closed and I would have to withdraw the funds that were remaining in that account. XXXX then called their 1800 customer service phone line where he spoke to one of his colleagues to locate the whereabouts of the check and verified that we took the proper steps to verify the check deposit. After verifying all of the information, I was told the check would be overnighted to me, that never happened. I then called the bank again and I was told that it would not be mailed out until the following week. During this time I was told since this account was closed I could reopen another account, a few days later this account was closed causing my direct deposit to return back to my employer. I was then told that I could not open another account at Chase. This has caused my bills to fall behind and my reputation to open an account at Chase Bank to end. 
I would like for my account to be reopened and whatever notation that is noted and preventing me from opening up an account to be removed and a written apology from the bank along with some customer service training on how to respect customers and not all customers are committing fraud.

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief