Consumer complaint received 2025-12-08 00:00:00
Product: Credit card — General-purpose credit card or charge card
Issue: Getting a credit card — Application denied
Company: JPMORGAN CHASE & CO.
State: AZ

Complaint narrative:
I am filing this complaint because JPMorgan Chase presented me with what appeared to be a firm approval for a Chase Sapphire XXXX credit card inside my secure Chase login. The messaging stated explicitly : Youre already approved for a Chase Sapphire XXXX card. 

This was not framed as a pre-qualification, pre-approval, or invitation to apply. The wording already approved has a very specific and unambiguous meaning to consumers : that a creditor has already completed an underwriting decision and is extending a firm approval.

Key Misleading Elements : 1. Chase used the phrase already approved, not pre-approved or prequalified. 
The difference is material and significant. Already approved communicates a credit decision, not a conditional one.

2. Chases acceptance page did NOT use the word applyit used the word ACCEPT. 
On the disclosures page, I was required to check a box stating, Ive read and agree to the above, followed by a button labeled Accept. 
Nowhere did Chase indicate that I was applying or that underwriting was still pending. The interface strongly implied that I was merely accepting terms for an account already approved.

3. The fine print does not cure this deception. 
Small-print legalese stating that Chase may be unable to grant this product in limited circumstances is insufficient. 
Both the CFPB and FTC have repeatedly found that prominent statements can not be contradicted or weakened by fine print. A reasonable consumer relies on the clear, bold text presented to them, especially inside a secure authenticated banking environment. 

4. Chase did not request any standard information normally required to submit a credit card application ( SSN, DOB, Income, Address, Employment, etc ). At no point was I asked to provide or update this information.

5. Chase denied the card immediately after I accepted. 
Despite being told I was already approved, Chase denied the application. This is deceptive regardless of embedded disclaimers. It indicates that Chase induced me to proceed under false pretenses.

6. I incurred a hard credit inquiry based on a misleading representation.

This harms my credit profile and access to future credit products. I would not have proceeded had Chase not stated affirmatively that I was already approved.

7. The interface design appears intentionally deceptive.

The use of already approved The absence of any apply language The requirement to accept rather than submit an application Together these elements create the appearance of a firm offer.

Chases conduct may constitute
a violation of the Consumer Financial Protection Acts UDAAP prohibitions because : The claim already approved is factually false The wording and interface materially mislead a reasonable consumer Fine print can not cure a direct contradiction or deceptive headline A consumer suffered concrete harm ( hard inquiry, misuse of credit information ) The conduct appears systemic and may be affecting other consumers This also raises questions under the Truth in Lending Act regarding inaccurate or misleading credit advertising, and potential misuse of credit report data under the FCRA. 

Chase told me I was already approved, directed me to accept the terms of the offer which included standard APR language and disclosures ( not apply ), and then denied the application and placed a hard inquiry on several of my credit reports. This is a textbook deceptive practice that harms consumers and can not be justified through fine print disclaimers. 

I request a full investigation into Chases misleading approval messaging and its impact on consumers.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation