Consumer complaint received 2025-03-06 00:00:00
Product: Checking or savings account — Checking account
Issue: Managing an account — Deposits and withdrawals
Company: JPMORGAN CHASE & CO.
State: GA

Complaint narrative:
XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX, Ga, XXXX ] [ XXXX ] [ XXXX ] [ XXXX ] VIA CERTIFIED MAIL / RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED JPMorgan Chase Bank , N.A . 
Attn : Legal Department Re : Formal Complaint and Demand for Arbitration Violations of the False Claims Act, TILA, and Regulation Z To Whom It May Concern, I am writing to formally lodge a complaint against JPMorgan Chase Bank , N.A . ( Chase ) and four of its customer service representatives for multiple violations of federal law, including the False Claims Act, Truth in Lending Act ( TILA ), and Regulation Z. This complaint stems from Chases willful noncompliance with federal guidelines, abusive banking practices, and discriminatory treatment regarding the handling and availability of my fundsspecifically, the deposit of two XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX totaling {$1000.00} at a Chase branch located at the Village at XXXX XXXX in XXXX, Georgia. 

The unlawful withholding of my funds, compounded by misleading statements from Chase employees and an evident bias against me as a XXXXXXXX XXXX resulted in severe financial and emotional harm to my family. This matter not only exposed the banks failure to adhere to established banking laws but also showcased a pattern of discriminatory practices aimed at blocking my access to my own legally obtained money. 

Incident Summary and Violations On [ XXXX ], I deposited XXXX XXXX XXXX, each in the amount of $ XXXX $ XXXX the XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX Chase branch. These XXXX XXXX were the return of my security deposit for a rental propertyfunds urgently needed to secure a new home for my family of XXXX, including my XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX 

Despite both XXXX XXXX being deposited within minutes of each other : The first was accepted and made available the next business day. 
The second was placed on a seven-business day hold ( XXXX ) without any valid reason provided. At that time or subsequently. 

I repeatedly explained to Chase representatives that these were XXXX XXXXcash equivalentsnot checks or credit instruments. Nevertheless, I was met with false, conflicting explanations for the hold : 1. First Representative : Stated that my second XXXX XXXX couldnt be verified, as justification for the hold. 
2. Second Representative : Claimed the hold was because it was the first check deposited into my accountignoring the fact that the first XXXX XXXX  had already been processed and made available. 
3. Third Representative : Alleged she tried to verify the XXXX XXXX twice with XXXX XXXX but was unsuccessful. 
4. Fourth Representative : Refused to provide her identifying information, stated Chase could place holds at their discretion, and falsely claimed the hold was because the XXXX XXXX payment to Chase was outstanding.

After the third representative failed to verify the XXXX XXXX  my wife took it upon herself to directly contact XXXX XXXX. She called XXXXhree separate times and, during the final call, recorded the conversationwhere XXXX XXXX immediately confirmed the validity of both XXXX XXXX and verified they had been purchased and paid for at XXXX. 

With this recorded confirmation in hand, I went to my usual Chase branch on XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX. It was only after hours of effortcoupled with my wifes persistent verification workthat the branch manager released the hold on my XXXXXXXX XXXX It is important to note that this release only happened once I presented the direct confirmation from XXXX XXXX process that Chase should have handled from the beginning. 

This forced us to go to extraordinary lengths simply to access my own moneyafter all normal requests, legal assertions of my rights, and references to banking laws and procedures were dismissed by Chases representatives. I was repeatedly treated as though I were either a liar or a criminal, despite being a long-standing customer trying to bring both my personal and business finances to Chase. 

Ongoing Harm and Retaliatory Conduct The consequences of Chases unlawful and discriminatory actions have been devastating : Due to the unjust hold on my {$1000.00} security deposit, my family was forced to stay in a hotel for seven consecutive dayspaying {$100.00} per daywhile waiting for Chase to release my funds. 
I missed multiple days of work because I couldnt access transportation fundsdirectly tied to Chases decision to hold my money. 
My familys essential household budget was drained on emergency hotel costs instead of being used for stable housing or necessary expenses. 
On top of this, during the hold, I was denied credit by Chasewith the reason given being an overdraft history caused entirely by the fees Chase tacked onto my account while my funds were being wrongfully held. 

This incident is not isolatedit follows a pattern of abuse by Chase. Previously : When I opened my business account, Chase unlawfully withheld a verified USPS contract payment processed through XXXX XXXX returning the payment to my customer despite the product having already shipped. 
My formal CFPB complaint about this led to retaliation from Chase, including the abrupt closure of my XXXX XXXX XXXX me to adopt costlier third-party payment methods. 
Meanwhile, Chase continues to deduct service fees from my accounts, even as they restrict access to my own money. 

Broken Promises from Chases Executive Office Following the release of my funds, I received a phone call on XX/XX/XXXX, from a representative of Chases Executive Office. During this call, I was assured that my treatment was not a small matter and was guaranteed that I would receive a follow-up response to address my concerns and the banks conduct. 

As of today, XX/XX/XXXX, XXXX days laterI have not received any further communication from Chase. 

This blatant lack of follow-through demonstrates Chases disregard for my concerns and the seriousness of the violations I experienced. Meanwhile, I am still paying daily hotel feesan ongoing financial burden that stems directly from Chases wrongful and discriminatory actions. 
Legal Violations Chases conduct constitutes clear violations of federal law, including : False Claims Act ( 31 U.S.C. 37293733 ) : Chase representatives knowingly misrepresented the verification process and the reasons for the hold. 
Truth in Lending Act ( TILA ) ( 15 U.S.C. 1601 et seq. ) : Chase failed to provide accurate, transparent disclosures regarding the hold placed on my funds. 
Regulation Z ( 12 C.F.R. Part 1026 ) : The bank unlawfully treated my cash-equivalent XXXX XXXX as checks/credit instruments, imposing illegal holds.

Civil Rights Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1981 ) : Chases staff admitted that my deposits were flagged due to my XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX 

Additionally, recorded phone calls between myself and Chases representativesacknowledged by Chases own supervisor to existcorroborate these violations. 

Demand for Arbitration Pursuant to Chases Arbitration Agreement, I formally demand arbitration and seek the following : 1. Immediate compensation for hotel costs, lost wages, and financial losses incurred due to Chases actions. 
2. A written explanation of the hold placed on my XXXX XXXX and the verification process ( or lack thereof ).

3. Reinstatement of my XXXX XXXX XXXX to process business payments.

4. Formal investigation into Chases discriminatory practices.

5. Disciplinary action against the four representatives involved.

6. Punitive damages for the harm caused by Chases abusive and illegal conduct.

If I do not receive a formal response within 10 business days, I will escalate my complaint to the CFPB, FTC, OCC, and DOJ and pursue further legal action.

Please confirm receipt of this letter. 

Sincerely, [ XXXX XXXX ] [ Your Chase Account XXXX ( XXXX ) ]

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation