Consumer complaint received 2025-05-18 00:00:00
Product: Credit card — General-purpose credit card or charge card
Issue: Getting a credit card — Delay in processing application
Company: JPMORGAN CHASE & CO.
State: NY

Complaint narrative:
I Applied Chase Sapphire Preferred credit card and, despite verifying that the application was legitimate, Chase repeatedly declined my application for alleged fraud concerns, refused to reinstate or properly investigate the application, and would not remove the resulting hard inquiry from my credit report. I believe Chases conduct violates the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ) and has caused me financial and emotional harm I have multiple existing Chase bank accounts in good standing. Initial Response " We'll review your Chase Sapphire Preferred Card application and be in touch soon. '' I then called them directly and the Chase representative told me after verifying my identity it would take 710 business days to receive a response. I called Chase again and informed them that I did in fact apply for this card and the application is valid. I was told to upload documents to verify my identity. They sent me a secure email link, and I uploaded a recent statement ( from a different XXXX bank ) with my full name and address, plus a government-issued ID ( passport ). I was told to call back after uploading those documents i did that and was told that my application was under review and would receive an answer by mail meaning my identity was confirmed however i Received a letter of decline despite providing clear documentation. the letter stating : Were concerned someone may be using your information fraudulently and declined your application. If the application is valid, please contact us. The letter then went on to describe how I can protect myself from fraud and identity theft. I called again. Agent said the application was denied for they could not identify me even thogh tha last representative said i was verified. When I asked why my documents failed, she refused to specify, citing privacy however the Hard Inquiry Remains And appears on my credit report. I did not authorize the inquiry under circumstances that comply with FCRA. 3. Legal Basis for Complaint A. Unauthorized Consumer Report Pull Under FCRA Section 604 ( a ) of the FCRA permits a consumer reporting agency to furnish a credit report only if the recipient intends to use the information in connection with a credit transaction involving the consumer ( 15 U.S.C. 1681b ( a ) ( 3 ) ( A ) ). Chases auto-decline for fraud concerns without a bona fide investigation or intent to extend credit means they lacked a permissible purpose to pull my report. B. Failure to Provide Adverse Action Notice & Rights Under FCRA 615 ( a ) ( 15 U.S.C. 1681m ( a ) ), when a creditor takes adverse action based in whole or in part on a consumer report, they must : Provide notice of the adverse action ( in writing or electronically ). Disclose the credit score used, if any, and provide the disclosures required under 609 ( f ) ( 1 ). Chase did not supply any credit score, disclosures of report sources, or explanation of what in my report triggered a fraud concern. In other words... If Chase did in fact pull my report ( which would indicate that the findings of the report caused them to believe that the application was fraudulent - i.e. they took adverse action based in part on info from my credit report ), they would be required to explain in detail the reasons for being declined. Chase can not continue to just say " fraud fraud '' with no explanation whatsoever, and especially after I provided documentation to prove the application legitimate multiple times. 4. Harm Suffered Credit Impact : A hard inquiry on my credit file, which lowers my credit score. Denial of Credit : I remain unable to obtain a card I likely should have been approved for. Loss of Sign-Up Bonus : This card had a sign-up bonus offer off 100k Chase points after hitting a minimum spend requirement. By declining my card in violation of FCRA, I have lost out on the opportunity to earn those valuable points. Time & Effort : Multiple calls, uploads, and yielded no resolution. Emotional Distress : Frustration and anxiety over identity theft allegations that are unsubstantiated. and unfortunately this is not the first time doing this to me i have already been through all this and they locked my account i had to enter a chase branch at terrible inconvenience as a majority of my time i am overseas for business and spend the time in the states to be with family i would really appreciate chase to stop these shenanigans i understand the need for security but this a complete farce

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief