Consumer complaint received 2026-01-08 00:00:00
Product: Money transfer, virtual currency, or money service — Virtual currency
Issue: Fraud or scam — 
Company: JPMORGAN CHASE & CO.
State: CA

Complaint narrative:
On XX/XX/XXXX at XXXX XXXX  I received a phone call from somebody claiming to be XXXX XXXX XXXX badge number XXXX from XXXX XXXX Sheriffs Office . The Lieutenant asked me if I was XXXX XXXX and if I knew I was supposed to be in court the day prior but was a no show. I told him I had no idea what he was talking about and wasnt aware of any court subpoena. He asked me if I lived at XXXX XXXX XXXX, I confirmed that was my address and he said that a court subpoena was delivered to my house and signed on XX/XX/XXXX. I told him I did not sign for it. He said that I would need to come to the Sheriffs Office to absolve the case and needed to do so immediately. He said he would provide me with documentation to submit to my work and needed to come to the XXXX XXXX address in XXXX Ca. and provide a couple of signatures to prove that the signed document was not my signature and I would be on my way. He then proceeded to tell me I could not hang up the phone and needed a police escort by phone to ensure I was not a flight risk. When I got to my car the man asked me to provide my odometer reading because I would be reimbursed for gas. He then put another man on the phone that identified himself as XXXX XXXX, who would be my escort. They asked for my estimated time of arrival and told me to obey all traffic laws etc. When I was about three minutes for the sheriffs office the escort asked me to pull over due to a red flag on my account and if I got to the sheriffs office with this on my account, they would have to arrest me immediately. They put me on hold to remove the flagat this point I was really scared that if this was a scam I was potentially being followed and fear set in. A different man came on the phone an said the red flag could not be removed and that I had two choices to come to the station and be arrested or post bail of {$11000.00}. They then proceeded to text me documentation with directions and documentation that contained my full social security number, and all my previous addresses etc. 
I was then told I had to go to the bank and get cash to post the bail and deposit the cash at XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, in XXXX Ca. I proceeded to my bank with another escort on the phone in addition to them requiring me to join a zoom call with someone they claimed to be the XXXX XXXX. The lady in the zoom was just a picture of her dressed in a military uniform. When I arrived at the bank, they ordered me to leave my phone on zoom in the car and not to speak to the anyone about them on the phone. I entered Chase Bank on XXXX in XXXX Ca, and approached the counter, XXXX was the teller. I requested to withdraw {$11000.00} while visibly upset and teary. XXXX asked for my ID, where I worked and what I did for a living. She proceeded to give me the XXXX, XXXX dollars in a white unsealed envelope. I looked at her in distress and said I am so scared to have this much money, I cant believe I am allowed to walk out with this much cash in an envelope! She didnt bat an eye and let me proceed out the door, still very upset and clearly scared. 
I deposited the money at the XXXX XXXX  in XXXX while on zoom being watched. The deposit took an hour and 45 minutes. When the deposit was complete, I went back to my car and another person that I had not heard from previously told me they still were unable to remove the red flag from my account, and I need to provide {$200000.00} or come to the Sheriffs office and be detained. They tried to reassure me that I would only be held for 48-72 hours until they could get me in front of a judge. At this point I was irate and was bawling and cussing at them. I told them I didnt have that kind of money and wasnt going to jail so I needed another option. They then told me I could withdraw as much money as I could afford and the judge would have access to my account so to be sure I was honest. I headed back to the bank. 
I entered Chase bank on XXXX for the second time in a two hour span. It was XXXX and almost closing time. I approached a teller named I looked at him and told him I dont know how much money I need, and threw my hands in the air. He asked me if I was ok and I told him no, supposedly I am in contempt of court and need to post bail, but Im not supposed to tell you, so dont say anything! He asked me if I forgot to go to jury duty, and I said no, I dont know what is happening. I then asked him to give me {$6000.00} dollars and the change I had in my accounts. The teller asked if I had my phone because he needed to send me a verification code, I replied no, they made me leave it in the car. He looked at me confused and asked if I could go get it. I told him Ill try. I walked out and told the men on the phone that I was being asked to take my phone inside for a verification code. They gave me permission to take my phone but said to leave them on mute and do not talk to anyone. At the point I was even more scared than before that I may be being followed and that I already told the teller too much information. I walked back into the bank and tried to hand the teller my phone to get the verification code because I was so nervous I could not even figure out how to swipe on my phone. I was shaking and holding my phone out to the teller, and he told me he could not touch my phone. I mouthed to him they are on there. He looked at me nervously and said to swipe down on the left-hand side. I got the verification code and verified what was sent. I then placed my phone back in my purse and walked my purse about XXXX from me and placed it on the ground in the bank. I wanted to prevent the people on the phone from hearing any further info as I was so scared I had violated their orders. The teller proceeded to tell me he hoped my day got better and I made the zip you lips sign to him. He stopped abruptly and said, I thought I was on mute? I whispered, I dont know what they can hear. He proceeded to give me {$6800.00} dollars in a white envelope and sent me on my way. 
There is no way I should have been given this much money under this much distress with no questions asked. I truly believe my bank failed me and I could have been hurt badly in addition to losing so much money. I dont believe I have been to the bank in over 5 years to withdraw any cash, and with everything I stated and my emotional state I should have been stopped. 
The gas station attendant on XXXX questioned me when I arrived back at the store for a second time. He could see the distress on my face and stopped me as I deposited more money. I then asked him to protect me as I was going to unmute my phone and let these people know I felt I was being scammed and I was calling my husband. The gas station attendant verified that the number was indeed XXXX XXXX Sheriffs but I still was probably being scammed, so I hung up.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation