Consumer complaint received 2022-01-28
Product: Checking or savings account — Checking account
Issue: Closing an account — Company closed your account
Company: Chime Financial Inc (NY)

Complaint:
On Thursday XX/XX/2022 around XXXX PM I received three emails from Chime " Following a recent review of your Checking Account, we regret to inform you that we have made the decision to end our relationship with you at this time. Your Checking Account will be closed on XX/XX/2022. 

If you have a Chime Savings Account, per the terms of your Deposit Account Agreement, your Savings Account will also be closed. 

If you have direct deposits, ACH Debits, or recurring debit card payments, please notify the originators immediately to avoid disruption with your future deposits or payments. Direct deposits, ACH debits, and recurring debit card payments may be rejected after XX/XX/2022, however we still encourage you to redirect your ongoing direct deposits and bank transfers to avoid any delay in receiving your funds. 

Kind regards, The Chime Team '' I immediately sent an email at support@chime.com to get an explanation of why my accounts were close and how can I reinstate them. " Good Afternoon, I just received notification that my Chime accounts have been closed. I do not know why this is happening since I have money in those accounts. Please let me know how I can fix this. This is not ok. How do I get my accounts activated again? 

Best, XXXX XXXX '' Right away I received this automated message from chime, " This is an automated response to let you know your request has been received and is being reviewed by our Member Services team! 

To add additional comments, reply to this email. 

I am researching cases of this matter and found out that over XXXX cases were filed against chime due to immediate account closures. Also, the customer support team is refusing to let clients know the reasoning and according to their member agreement, can refuse refunds. Most of them came from deposits of stimulus checks. I filed taxes with my husband jointly and all of our stimulus payments went to another account and not with chime and the only direct deposit I have is through my work payroll and all were processed correctly in accordance with the membership agreement. 

Later that day around XXXX PM I received this message from the support team " After a recent review, your account was found to be not in compliance with Chime 's internal policies and your account agreement. Your account has been closed by Chime and is not eligible for a refund. For more information please review the section titled Amendment and Cancellation in the Chime Deposit Account Agreement : https : //www.chime.com/policies/ Kind Regards, XXXX | Chime Support. '' I then review the member agreement per the section referenced and they said that they have the right to refuse explanation and refunds. The money in the account is my money through a legitimate company and I do not know why I am in violation and why I can't have my funds. 

I documented the entire incident with current receipts to prove that there is no violation and I am happy to include them when necessary. I am entitled to my funds and I expect them to be sent to me. I've already set up another account with a different financial institution and I do not plan to continue my services with chime.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation