Consumer complaint received 2025-03-13 00:00:00
Product: Checking or savings account — Checking account
Issue: Managing an account — Cashing a check
Company: JPMORGAN CHASE & CO.
State: TX

Complaint narrative:
Complaint Against Chase Bank Check Hold & Account Restriction Issue Issue Summary : On XX/XX/year>, I deposited a check for {$1800.00} into my personal Chase account. Chase placed a hold on the funds until XX/XX/year> due to the check being written to a business name instead of my personal name. This was my first time banking with a major bank, and I was unaware that a business-named check could not be deposited into a personal account. 

To correct this issue, a new check was written under my personal name ( since I have not yet registered my business and currently operate under my personal name ) rather than the concept of a business. However, even after depositing this correctly written check, Chase continued to place unnecessary holds and eventually restricted my account. 

Timeline of Events & Chases Actions XX/XX/year> XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX - {$1800.00} check deposited to my personal account. 
- Chase placed a XXXX hold ( until XX/XX/year> ). 
- Action Taken : I scheduled a branch appointment but was later contacted and told that this issue could be handled via phone. 

XX/XX/year> XXXX XXXX & Another Hold - I deposited {$500.00}, this time written under my personal name as a sole proprietor ( not to a business name ). 
- Chase placed a hold for 3 days ( until XX/XX/year> ). 
- XX/XX/XXXX : The {$500.00} was briefly released, then immediately placed on hold again until XX/XX/XXXX, XXXX though it was a personal check. 

Chase 's Responses & My Attempts to Resolve the Issue XXXX First Call XX/XX/year> - I was told that the hold was due to XXXX  XXXX XXXX not releasing the funds and that Chase was holding the check to protect me from overdrafts or chargebacks. 
- I was also told that if the {$1800.00} check didnt clear, it would be returned to the issuer, and they would need to rewrite it under my name. 
- I accepted this reasoning and waited for the hold to clear. 

XXXX Second Call XX/XX/year> The Issue Persists Despite a Properly Written Check - The {$500.00} deposit was released after XXXX  days but then placed on hold again for an additional XXXX days. 
- I called Chase again and explained that this time, the check was properly written in my name as a sole proprietormeaning there was no longer any issue of a " business name mismatch. '' - The representative insisted that there was no action they could take and that I simply had to wait. 
- I requested a valid reason for why a properly written personal check was now being held, but the agent only repeated that nothing could be done. 

XXXX Third Call XX/XX/year> Account Restriction & Closure Notice - I received an email & text from Chase stating that my account would be closed unless I took action. 
- I called Chase immediately and was informed that my account was now restricted because they needed to verify that the previous business name was associated with me. 
- Chase stated that without proof of ownership, they can not release my funds and will close my account within XXXX business days. 
- Additionally, I was told that Chase would keep the {$2300.00} ( {$1800.00} + {$500.00} ) until I verify ownership of the business name. ( Even after account closure ) Why This is a Problem 1 Lack of Clear Communication & Minimum Effort to Resolve : - At no point was I proactively informed about the restrictions or given clear steps to resolve this issue until I received a closure notice. 
- I made multiple calls and received inconsistent information from different agents. 
- I was told to either wait or register my business and present my paperwork to the bank so they could verify that I am the owner, but I lack the funds to establish the XXXX properly. 

XXXX Unfair Holding of My Funds Even After Correcting the Issue : - The initial mistake ( business name check ) was addressed and corrected with a properly written check under my personal name. 
- Despite this, Chase continued holding my money and eventually restricted my account with no clear explanation. 

XXXX Inconsistent Handling of My XXXX XXXX ( {$500.00} ) : - The {$500.00} check was held, released, and then placed on hold again for XXXX more dayswithout any valid reasoning. 
- This is highly unusual and seems excessive for a properly deposited personal check.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation