Consumer complaint received 2022-07-21
Company: JPMORGAN CHASE & CO.
State: FL
Product: Checking or savings account
Sub-product: Checking account
Issue: Managing an account
Sub-issue: Deposits and withdrawals

Complaint:
Chase Bank put a hold on my account for the second time after depositing my paycheck from the same employer who issued me the check. The latest hold was placed on my account XX/XX/XXXX, the same day I deposited the check. When I called Chase customer service, I was told the reason for this hold is because the amount of the check is " Significantly higher '' than historical deposits. The amount of this deposit they are claiming to be significantly higher is {$3600.00}. This check is compensation my employer, XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX has compensated me for originating and closing my first loan as a licensed XXXX with the state of FL. The first time Chase put a hold on my account was for a check of {$1300.00} when I was an assistant with the same employer back in XXXX of XXXX. They told me the hold will remain in place until XX/XX/XXXX, and I will be able to access my funds then. I thought this was excessive and unreasonable, but I waited and on XX/XX/XXXX, I received notification the hold was lifted and my funds are available. When I went to the gas station to purchase gas, my card was declined. I went to the bank branch where I opened my account, and no one at the Chase bank branch XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX FL on XXXX XXXX XXXX ) understood how my account shows my funds are available but can't be accessed. The bank employees at the branch worked with me for several hours speaking with I believe they call the loss prevention department, and that department stated they put a restriction on my account pending the verification of the issuer of the check. After explaining the issuer of the check is the same issuer I have deposited with them before, they maintained it is still necessary to verify the issuer and confirmed the reason they are requiring this is due to the amount of the check being different from others. The phone number the loss prevention has on file to verify the issuer is XXXX. Neither my employer or I know of this number and this number is NOT associated with XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXXXXXX. The loss prevention department has an incorrect number to verify anything from XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX because the number they are associating XXXX is for a company called XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX When I asked how it is possible to continue to restrict my account after the hold has been released, while maintaining that they need to verify the issuance of the check using an incorrect number for my employer, I was told there is a " XXXX Bank Team '' insisting there is no other option other than to ask my employer to initiate a chargeback so the check can be returned ; this is a concern because I may expose myself to future adverse actions. The only other alternative is to have a representative of XXXX XXXXXXXX come to the branch with 2 forms of ID along with documentation showing ownership of the bank account XXXX XXXXXXXX Paid me from. This is the same bank account Chase has honored from the same employer in the past! After leaving Chase bank, still without access to my funds, I called the loss prevention department back and told them if it is absolutely necessary for both my employer and myself being required to be at a Chase bank branch at the same time for them to release the restriction on my account, I will comply with what I stated feels highly irregular and unreasonable. That call took place XX/XX/XXXX around XXXX XXXX Eastern. about an hour later, I logged into my account and saw that all my funds had been withdrawn as DEBIT DDA- CHECK CHARGE. Shortly after I tried logging in again to begin documenting and checking for alerts, I was denied access to login. When I called Chase customer service, I was told my account was closed and my money is in a " Suspended Account '' with no way to get the funds released other than the following 3 options : 1 ) For me to initiate a charge back against my account by having my employer contact their bank to return the funds 2 ) Have my employer come into a Chase bank branch at the same time with me to verify ourselves with 2 forms ID, or 3 ) For them to continue to try to contact the number in their loss prevention system, which is an incorrect number and belongs to another organization. They will not tell me how they have a number associated with a company Neither I nor my employer has heard of in their system. 
It is now XX/XX/XXXX and I am not able to access money for food, gas or anything else. Chase has closed my account, so I can't even have someone XXXX me money to be able to purchase my blood clot medication. I advised Chase that I am trying to resolve this for XXXX weeks now, and I am highly concerned for my well being as well as my ability to perform at work. Please help!

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation