Consumer complaint received 2023-09-19
Company: JPMORGAN CHASE & CO.
State: FL
Product: Checking or savings account
Sub-product: Checking account
Issue: Problem with a lender or other company charging your account
Sub-issue: Transaction was not authorized

Complaint:
Timeline XXXX XXXX, XXXX I wrote a check payable to the US Treasury/IRS in the amount of {$28000.00} for a federal tax payment. I placed the check inside a stamped security envelope and placed the envelope in the USPS mailbox in front of XXXX XXXX XXXX, FL post office at approximately XXXX XXXX. I made a copy of the check and the payment receipt before they were placed in the envelope. 

XX/XX/XXXX XXXX to me, the aforementioned check that I wrote payable to the US Treasury/IRS for the amount of {$28000.00}, was stolen, altered, and presented for payment to a XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX individual account holder. The check was altered by changing the payee name and memo notations. Portions of the Pay To The Order Of line were erased when the check was washed. 
Chase bank erroneously deducts the {$28000.00} amount from my account in payment of the altered fraudulent check. The {$28000.00} amount leaving my account does not alarm me as I was expecting the IRS to cash the check. 

XX/XX/XXXX A second fraudulent check in the amount of {$25000.00}, payable from my checking account, is deposited at XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX. This check is not the same design as my personal checks. It appears new checks were created with my personal and checking account information. It further appears my signature was scanned from the original IRS check and imprinted on this second check, although the penmanship detailing the payee, {$25000.00} amount, and notations is clearly not mine. According to my Chase bank account records, Chase pays this check despite the check being of a different design as my checks. 

XX/XX/XXXX I receive a low balance notice message on my phone. I reviewed my account records on my phone and noted that the last transaction was a check for {$25000.00}. I viewed the check and immediately determined it was fraudulent. 

XX/XX/XXXX XXXX XXXX  I immediately called Chase bank to report this, froze my checking account, and made the claim for the {$25000.00} amount. 
I then went online to examine my banking records, and within the hour, I discovered the first fraudulent altered check for {$28000.00}. I called Chase bank again to make a claim for the {$28000.00} amount. 

XX/XX/XXXX XXXX XXXX  I went in person to my Chase Bank branch at XXXX PM, and with the assistance of a Private Client Banker, prepared and filed all required documents for both claims seeking reimbursement. I provided copies of the original US Treasury/ IRS check and the two fraudulent checks. 

XX/XX/XXXX- I went in person to my local police station and filed a police report. Within the next week or so, I filed a second police report in the town where the check was presumed stolen. 

XX/XX/XXXX The amount of the second fraudulent check ( {$25000.00} ) was redeposited into my checking account as a reversal. 

XX/XX/XXXX Chase Bank closed the checking account on which the fraudulent checks had been paid, and opened a new joint checking account. 

XX/XX/XXXX I received correspondence by mail from Chase bank dated XX/XX/XXXX acknowledging my claim and requesting further information on my claim. This requested information had, in fact, been provided the previous day on my visit to the branch. Thus, I enquired with branch personnel to see if I was required to resubmit the information already provided and she informed me that Chase had submitted all of the information and documents I provided the previous day. 

XX/XX/XXXX I received correspondence dated XX/XX/XXXX informing me the second check for {$25000.00} had been returned as not paid from my account. 

XX/XX/XXXX I filed a report ( form filed over internet ) with the US Postal Inspection Service as it is presumed the check was stolen from the US mail postal box . 

XX/XX/XXXX I received correspondence from Chase bank dated XX/XX/XXXX in regards to the second fraudulent check in the amount of {$25000.00}. The letter stated Chase was denying my claim for this amount as it had not been charged to the account. This did not concern me as the amount had been returned to my account. 

XX/XX/XXXX I received correspondence dated XX/XX/XXXX from Chase Bank requesting further information on the {$28000.00} claim. The requested information was the exact same information I had submitted with the branch on XX/XX/XXXX. This correspondence also included a reference of my initial claim dated as of XX/XX/XXXX. I called the branch to discuss this, and she informed me that all information had been submitted and she would follow up to make certain the fraud department was aware of that. 

XX/XX/XXXX I received correspondence from Chase bank dated XX/XX/XXXX informing me that the bank that accepted the altered check for deposit, XXXX  XXXX XXXX, was responsible for repayment. Chase wrote that they initiated a claim on my behalf, and it would take 90 days or more to resolve. 

XX/XX/XXXX I filed a complaint with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency. The next day I received an email informing they had received my complaint and were reviewing it. 

XX/XX/XXXX I sent a demand letter to XXXX XXXX, General Counsel and XXXX XXXX, Associate General Counsel Retail Branch Litigation demanding repayment of the {$28000.00} amount and detailing the facts of the complaint and supporting documentation. I sent the letter by certified mail and also by email. The XXXX letter sent by email bounced back to me. I also emailed the demand letters to the JP Morgan Chase branch manager and requested it be sent thru his chain of reporting. He replied affirmatively that he had received it and did also forward it to his management. 

XX/XX/XXXX I received a call from Chase executive office that they had received my demand letter and the OCC complaint and they are in the process of preparing a reply letter. Despite providing a reply they will not be reimbursing my account for the {$28000.00} until they receive compensation from the bank of first deposit XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX ). 

XX/XX/XXXX I called the Chase claims department and while not requested I was put thru to the escalation personnel. I again told the person on the line my fact pattern as of above as they added this as notes to the file. There is no update to the status as they are awaiting a reply from XXXX  XXXX XXXX as the bank of first deposit. 

XX/XX/XXXX I filed a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. 





*Over the ensuing XXXX months I have pursued my claim against Chase by requesting updates from XXXX XXXX and Branch XXXX, XXXX XXXX XXXX My claim was escalated to the executive office. Chase bank has informed me they are pursuing the claim against XXXX  XXXX XXXX ( where the fraudulent check was deposited ), but to date, my money has not been returned to me. as of today. In addition to the {$28000.00} amount of the fraudulent check, I have lost interest income over the ensuing ten months. 

Accordingly, I am seeking the immediate return of my {$28000.00} plus interest income. 

*Note : There has been no further communication from either police department or the US postal inspector. I am unaware of any of these law enforcement agencies taking a single action to investigate this case. 

* I have further email correspondence with the bank and their personnel which I have not included above.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation