Consumer complaint received 2026-02-16 00:00:00
Product: Checking or savings account — Checking account
Issue: Closing an account — Funds not received from closed account
Company: JPMORGAN CHASE & CO.
State: NY

Complaint narrative:
Account closed and funds withheld/ not released Complaint : My name is XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, address XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX, NY XXXX. I am filing a complaint against JPMorgan Chase Bank , N.A . because Chase restricted/closed my business and personal accounts and is withholding my funds without releasing them. 
Timeline and facts : On XX/XX/XXXX, I opened a business account for my sole-proprietor XXXX XXXX XXXX at the Chase branch located at XXXX XXXX, XXXX, NY XXXX XXXX At account opening, Chase collected and accepted all required documentation, including my XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX  XXXX business certificate, IRS XXXX XXXX, drivers license/ID, address, and phone number. 
On XX/XX/XXXX, I opened a personal account ( ending XXXX ) and deposited {$2000.00}. Chase required only my ID and Social Security card to open this personal account. 
On XX/XX/XXXX, I received an email from Chase Alert titled : Important : To protect against potential fraud, we restricted your account and may close it soon. The email states that Chase restricted the account ( s ) and that I should call to address the restriction. ( I am attaching the screenshot of this email. ) Funds withheld : Chase is currently withholding the following exact balances : Business account : {$5200.00} USD Personal account : {$4700.00} USD Total withheld : {$9900.00} USD Problem : After multiple follow-ups, Chases Fraud Department told me my funds are being withheld because Chase can not verify a phone number for my DBA in the New York Secretary of State ( NYSDOS ) public records. Bank is imposing an impossible verification requirement ( NYSDOS listing ) for a county-registered DBA. My business is a DBA/sole proprietorship properly registered with the Suffolk County Clerk , not an LLC or corporation. NYSDOS public entity listings are not the correct repository for a county DBAs phone linking.

Additionally, I do not understand why Chase is withholding the funds from my personal account. My personal banking information will never appear in NYSDOS public entity records. Conditioning release of personal funds on NYSDOS phone linkage is unreasonable and does not apply.

I have spent extensive time trying to resolve this : I have three calls of approximately 40 minutes each with Chase related to this issue. Chase has not provided a reasonable release timeline, refuses reasonable alternative verification ( county DBA certificate, IRS EIN letter, in-branch identity verification, etc. ), and I have been denied escalation to a supervisor.

Requested resolution : 1. Immediate release of all withheld funds ( {$9900.00} USD ) via cashiers check or ACH ; 2. Written confirmation of the release date and method ; 3. Written explanation of the specific policy/legal basis for withholding funds and for requiring NYSDOS phone linking for a county-registered DBA and for a personal account ; 4. A direct escalation point ( case number and supervisor/Executive Office contact ). 
Attachments : screenshot of Chase restriction email dated XX/XX/XXXX, XXXX XXXX DBA certificate, IRS EIN letter, account/balance evidence, and call history notes.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation