Consumer complaint received 2018-12-21
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:
The events in which I will describe are banking practices that are inconceivable in the year XX/XX/2018. I assure to whomever investigates this, I have exhausted all options and methods to resolve this case before presenting it to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ( CFPB ). 

On XX/XX/2018, I deposited a check into my J.P. Morgan Chase Bank, ( hereafter referred to as Chase ) checking account. This is an account in which I hold jointly with my fiance, a 10 year employee of XXXX. 

The amount of this check was {$8000.00}, and the Payor was my mothers husband, an account in which he holds jointly with my biological mother. Noteworthy, is the fact that this was a typical personal check with all identifying information listed, to include their home address. 

The method in which this check was deposited was via the Chase mobile app. 

On XX/XX/2018, the {$8000.00} check cleared my mothers banking institution without issue and the funds were transferred to Chase. 

Throughout the next two weeks, I began remodeling a rental property I own. In need of paying a contractor, I went to a Chase branch to obtain a cashiers check. The branch teller proceeded to tell me that she knew nothing of an {$8000.00} deposit and I barely had enough funds to meet the required withdrawal. 

Subsequently, I made contact with my fiance, and explained the above incident. As the account is held jointly, she made an inquiry as to the status of the funds. At that time, the Chase representative informed her the account was closed due to suspicion of fraud. The representative informed her that the remaining funds within the account would be mailed to our home, but the {$8000.00} would be held until Chase spoke with the Payor. Furthermore, the representative informed my fiance that it was the decision of Chase to end our business relationship and our checking account would be closed. 

Notably, at that time, within the Chase banking system I had ( 2 ) checking accounts, ( 1 ) savings account, and ( 1 ) investment account ; totaling over {$79000.00}. Also included was a Chase a credit card. It will become obvious to anyone who looks further into this complaint that Chase was obviously NOT THAT SERIOUS about ending our business relationship, since at the current date of this complaint only the aforementioned checking account was closed. 

Additionally, my fiance ( still employed with XXXX  ), has Chase directly deposit her salary into her personal accounts ; of which are still in tact. 

On XX/XX/2018, my fiance made a follow-up call to a Chase representative regarding this incident. The representative would only state that the amount of {$1300.00} ( the remaining balance of our checking account ) would be sent our home address, but the {$8000.00} in question would be held by Chase. 

Following this conversation, my wife filed a complaint with the Chase Executive Team, the highest level in which a complaint can be filed within the Chase banking system. 

On XX/XX/2018, my fiance again spoke with a representative of Chase inquiring about the status of the {$8000.00}. At that time, the representative stated that Chase would not release the amount until evidence was obtained that the check cleared the Payors account. My fiance than asked to speak with a supervisor. The supervisor then paraphrased what the original representative said. 

Following this conversation, my fiance filed a second complaint with the Chase Executive Team. A representative from the Chase Executive Team, advised her that it was policy to withhold the proceeds of the check until evidence was obtained that the check cleared the Payors account.

Note : This was 55 days or 8 weeks since the check cleared the Payors account.

It was clearly obvious that after two months, I was dealing with complete XXXX. My question to Chase was : You acknowledge {$8000.00} from a cashed check is being held, but you want evidence as to if the check cleared the Payors account? If the check didnt clear then obviously there would be no transfer of funds to Chase. 

Secondly, it was more than obvious at that point, that Chase did not feel it was a priority for their fraud department to pick up a telephone and contact the fraud department at my mothers banking institution. I guess some billion dollar companies like Chase still dont have access to things like the internet, US Mail, or even telephone systems. But what is probably more of logical answer is that THEY KNOW THEY CAN GET AWAY WITH IT, WITHOUT REPERCUSSION and simply say Sorr-y our fault! This scenario is about as easy as it gets to resolve. Speak with the Payors bank!!!!!! 

On XX/XX/2018, my fiance again spoke with a representative of Chase inquiring about the status of the {$8000.00}. During this conversation, my fiance asked the representative, Why dont you just send the money back to my mother-in-law? At that time the Chase representative ended the conversation by stating, No. 

On XX/XX/2018, my fiance was called by Chase Global Security during regular business hours, while performing her managerial duties at a Chase branch. The Security Investigators then questioned my fiance at length about the {$8000.00} transaction. After explaining the aforementioned details about the incident, the investigators ended the call without providing a resolution, but stated, theyll see what they can do to recover the funds. 

As of the date of this complaint, XX/XX/2018, no resolution has been made to provide me the owed proceeds of the {$8000.00} transaction. I guess that is how Chase really operates theyll see what they can do. Absolutely sickening! 

In summary, this incident has lasted a total of 116 days to date or if you prefer 16 weeks. During this time, Chase has had ample time to research this transaction to its fullest extent. But, is there research taking place? Is there an investigation on-going? My funds have been deprived from me for 16 weeks, and I have received ( 1 ) piece of communication from the bank : a form letter explaining that my account was closed. Since Chase fully admits they will not relinquish the money to me nor my mothers account, for all intents and purposes this money has been seized by a private company who has no authority to do so. Thats pretty convenient to do when no letters are provided to either the Payor or Payee, and they dont initiate communication. Who knows someone from Chase is probably saying, Well wait them out, eventually theyll stop calling and forget about the money.

And finally, there is no coincidence that my current credit bills are commensurate with the {$8000.00} amount in question. Instead of being able to use liquid cash I am now in debt. But, debt comes with a price when interest payments are involved. But, who pays for that? Me, me, and me. After everything is said and done with this complaint, Chase will say, Ah, Sorr-y our fault. But, Ill be stuck with hundreds of dollars in credit card interest payments. For what? Because J.P. Morgan Chase Bank doesnt understand how to do there job correctly, because they fail at doing their job correctly? 

I am happy to file this complaint and would like it publicized for any and all to read. If this atrocious situation could happened to me, its happened or happening to others.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation