Consumer complaint received 2025-06-11 00:00:00
Product: Checking or savings account — Other banking product or service
Issue: Managing an account — Cashing a check
Company: Chime Financial Inc
State: WA

Complaint narrative:
Subject : Formal Complaint : Mishandling of XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Request for Investigation To Whom It May Concern, I am submitting a formal complaint regarding the handling of a XXXX XXXX XXXX check issued to me as a XXXX XXXX XXXX  I deposited this check via mobile deposit through my Chime account, which is serviced by XXXX XXXX, XXXX. I have successfully deposited similar government-issued checks multiple times in the past all of which cleared instantly. However, this particular check was unexpectedly placed on hold without explanation. 

When I contacted Chime customer service, I was told by a representative to " just deposit it somewhere else. '' This response is not only dismissive and unprofessional but also potentially unlawful and discriminatory. Government-issued checks from a state treasury should not be arbitrarily held especially when a history of successful identical deposits already exists. 

As a person of XXXX, I can not ignore the possibility that I am being treated differently due to my race. The combination of inconsistent deposit handling, poor customer service, and the agent 's refusal to escalate the issue raises serious concerns about XXXX bias and unfair banking practices. 

This check represents reimbursement for the XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX. Delaying access to these funds creates avoidable hardship for both me and the XXXX XXXX  in my care. 

I am requesting the following : A written explanation of the deposit hold, including the specific policy or regulation justifying it ; A full investigation into the Chime agents conduct, especially the statement instructing me to " deposit it somewhere else '' ; A review of Chime and XXXX XXXX  check deposit handling procedures to ensure fair and consistent treatment of all customers, regardless of race or background. 

Due to the seriousness of this matter, I am also filing this complaint with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation ( FDIC ) and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ( CFPB ) for further investigation and accountability. 



That is the letter I sent to them and filled with FDIC. 

On XX/XX/XXXX, I tried to deposit a Washington state issued check into my Chime account. I have deposited several checks, which were released instantly. They wanted to place a 5 day hold which is really 7 days. I requested if {$200.00} could be made available. Which they claim they could not do. I received no solution other then break the law or wait. 
The solution on the team members of chat gave me was to, try cashing it another institution!! That is the very reason I was unable to cash the check anywhere else because I already signed it for mobile deposit!!!!!!!! No one around here will cash a check if you don't sign it in front of them!! So I had to deposit it with Chime!! If I would have known prior to signing, I would have paid a fee to cash at local check cashing place. Why Chime couldn't call and verify the funds, I could have sent paperwork invoices and whatnot regarding the check... their only suggestion was to break the law and cause even more problems. 

I have missed graduations, I have no phone, no food and nobody could give me a clear answer or reason to why my check was being held. It's policy, or computer blah, and then to top it all off, when I asked for the contact information I was told to have a good day and chat ended.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation