Consumer complaint received 06/21/2016 about Bank account or service (Checking account) with JPMORGAN CHASE & CO. (NJ).
Issue: Problems caused by my funds being low

Complaint: I have come to realize Chase bank has been rearranging the order of my transactions to maximize fees and it has snowballed out of control. I understand I have agreed to an over draft type of protection that I am charged a fee of {$34.00} when used. However, I did not agree to allow Chase to rearrange the order of my transactions to maximize fees. When I attempt to make a purchase or pay a bill using my bank card and there are not enough funds in my account my transaction is declined. I first realized something was amiss XXXX. I could not figure out why I had so many overdraft fees for transactions that I knew I had funds to cover and were approved. I went to the branch to sit down and go over each item with their representative. Neither he, his manager nor I could figure out how this happened but they were kind ( I think due to my being unemployed ) and credited me XXXX or XXXX of the many fees. When looking at the transactions as they were listed on my account it all made sense. However, when trying to get to the root of the problem I struggled - I knew I had adequate funds when I proceeded with the transactions and how could the transaction be approved if I was in the negative? Now that I closely monitor my account I have learned in the last few weeks that Chase rearranges the order transactions are posted and I firmly believe it is to maximize fees which I consider to be a predatory banking practice. They post larger dollar amount transactions first that snowball into {$34.00} fees for {$9.00} or {$10.00} transactions that would not be approved if funds were not available. In one instance One week I paid bills, grocery shopped and withdrew {$20.00} from my account. I did all this early in the week. All transactions were approved by the bank and all reflected on my account ( transactions are reflected same day ). A few days later I paid a bill that I knew I would utilize OD protection. Chase rearranged the transactions posting the higher bill payment first causing a {$34.00} fee, then {$100.00} transaction causing another {$34.00} fee then the {$9.00} and {$20.00} transactions charging XXXX more fees. My account had funds to cover all transactions when they occurred ( except the bill payment that occurred days after the other transactions ) and they were originally showing in the chronological order the transactions happened with a correct balance. I called the bank to review this with them detailing when transactions actually happened and how it originally showed correct chronological order and how the order changed after the bill payment but unfortunately I am dissatisfied with the outcome. They see no wrong doing on their part and because I already had XXXX courtesy credits of fees ( maximum allowed within a 12 month time frame ) they wo n't consider refunding more. I now do not consider the refunds I received in XXXX as a courtesy nor do I consider my current request as a courtesy because of their deliberate practice being a means to maximize fees. I have been charged approximately XXXX {$34.00} fees in the last month or so of which only XXXX are valid. This is more than my unemployment check. In addition, they have not covered all checks despite my having over draft protection. They returned a check but still charged me {$34.00} for returned check fee.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation