Consumer complaint received 2023-08-02
Product: Checking or savings account — Checking account
Issue: Problem caused by your funds being low — Non-sufficient funds and associated fees
Company: JPMORGAN CHASE & CO. (OH)

It all began when I received an email from my school on the XX/XX/2023 that there is this job available for Students and students with XXXX XXXX, to work after school. So, I replied that I was interested. They asked for details, my name address, gender etc. 

They said they will email me a cheque which will be cashed and used in sending money for purchase of the equipment to work with. They sent the Cheque the next day. I responded that this is new as Im aware Companies will procure the equipment and send to the employee. He responded that they the equipment will be allocated for my work, it must be linked to me hence the mode of purchase. I deposited the Cheque, and which cleared.

The Cheque is for {$3900.00}. Asked me to take {$3400.00} to buy money order and the remaining balance will be Salary for the month. When I went to the post office, I could not purchase the money order as I did not have the details requested as they needed the social security details and date birth of the recipient. The address is South Carolina On theXXXXXXXX I withdrew the money from the bank and went to the Post Office but due to not having the details, I couldnt make the money order purchase and tried calling the guy, but the line was picked by a lady speaking in a foreign language, that the number was a wrong number. I told the guy that Im not comfortable with the process and no longer interested that I want to return the money that Im not interested in the job anymore. 

He said, XXXX send me the account details to return the money sent. He sent me a JP Morgan Chase bank account details for ( XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, Acct XXXX, Routing - XXXX, Address XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX, XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX GA XXXX XXXX ) where to return the money. I thought the cheque had a value as XXXX XXXX credited my account and made the money available to me. The account he gave me is a Chase bank account which the money is to be sent to. 

I went to the bank, and they said I should use my app but I told them Id rather have it transferred by the bank. They did the wire and I left for home. 

It was less than 2 hours later, that the XXXX XXXX called and said the cheque paid into my account was fraudulent and that where did I get the cheque from? I went to the bank and was shocked about the revelations. I called Chase bank where I deposited the funds so I can alert them. I was told that the funds are still pending, and they will relay the details to their Fraud/Claims department. They said the funds are still pending and the refund will be made when the Fraud unit concludes their process. The branch advised me to call the police as to make a statement on the matter. But because I was working that day, I couldnt go in person to the police station but make the complaints over the phone to them. 

I called the next day and was told that the pending is still on. The claim dept says the transaction is still pending but they may not refund the whole money as I may be able to collect part of the funds. The Manager of the bank asked me to show him the evidence I had, the cheque from the XXXXXXXX XXXX. The claim department told me that they have flagged the account and the owner can not take the money as the account has been flagged. 

Two days later they still sent me a letter that the claim has been denied. 

This is an experience that has been harrowing for me. I believe the Chase bank know the