Consumer complaint received 2022-06-21
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:
On XX/XX/XXXX I attempted to deposit a check using the Chase banking app. The Check for {$1300.00} was uploaded with no issues. The check was from a class action discrimination lawsuit administered by the government entity the Department of Labor. I had approximately {$1500.00} combined in my checking and savings prior to the check deposit. I was alerted to a problem when a normal routine transaction was declined. I contacted Chase via customer service and got in touch with someone in the fraud department. The female rep stated the image of the check was slightly blurred. She contacted the DOL and verified my information and the check was in fact valid. I offered to attempt to deposit it again or go into the local branch. After several calls and hours on the phone I visited the local XXXX XXXX branch. 
The visit and subsequent returns amounted to over 4 hours. After all these visits they admitted they were investigating my account for fraud and essentially closed all my accounts. This was my primary account used for my household and work duties. I have never attempted to defraud anyone including Chase. After several hours and days trying to get a fair resolution from this they informed me the process to close my account was initiated on XX/XX/XXXX. They did not give me a rational or means to appeal this resolution and the only option was to wait 10 business days for them to close my account. It would be an additional 10 business days to mail me a check. There is another subsequent hold on 3rd party checks from my banking institution. In summary, the initial check was in fact valid and they restricted access to all my funds arbitrarily. 
The only reason I can rationalize them doing this is because prior to obtaining my real ID my driver license showed XXXX XXXX. I have gone by this name all my life and actually had a SSN showing XXXX XXXX. I had to change this XXXX because my birth certificate from XXXX stated XXXX XXXX XXXX. The check stated XXXX XXXX. The Chase account stated my name as XXXX XXXX. My drivers license states XXXX XXXX XXXX. I have deposited various checks with both names for close to 2 years successfully. 
This poor judgement and decision to arbitrarily close my account has caused me a great inconvenience. Chase has restricted access to all of my funds including a recent direct deposit {$2400.00} has been put on hold indefinitely. In total, {$4600.00} has been deemed inaccessible. These funds are used to provide for my household in which I am a sole earner. These funds are used to buy lunches for doctors as I am Medical Sales Representative. I drive extensively so with current gas prices this has severely restricted my ability to work. I have resorted to calling out sick as much as I could from limitedly from home. My job requires visiting 10-12 clinics a day. I was unable to do so. I also help my mother on an bi-weekly basis delivering lunch as she is bed ridden. I have not been able to do so. I have resorted to eating ramen, something I have not done since college. I have missed bills including but not limited to my rent {$1300.00}. I have received a pay or quit notice stating my property manager XXXX XXXX may in fact evict me. I have essentially maxed out my line of credit of {$600.00} and now I have to wait an unjustifiable amount of time to get the money that I am lawfully entitled to. 
I believe this business entity JP Morgan Chase should be held accountable for their actions. The arbitrary withholding of funds both prior to and after the deposit could have been fatal. If someone was medically fragile not having resources that they are entitled to could have resulted in a medical emergency. I travel on a daily basis. If I was stranded and unable to get funds from other means this could also become a dangerous situation.

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief