Consumer complaint received 2025-05-10 00:00:00
Product: Checking or savings account — Checking account
Issue: Managing an account — Deposits and withdrawals
Company: JPMORGAN CHASE & CO.
State: OH

Complaint narrative:
I opened a business account under XXXX XXXX XXXX with JPMorgan Chase on XX/XX/2025. Around XXXX, I discovered that the account had been restricted without any formal notification. I reviewed every communication channelemail, internal messages, alertsand received no prior notice from Chase. 

I attempted to get verified but was blockeddespite using the same business address accepted during account setup. Despite several verification attempts, Chase ultimately informed me the account would be closed on XX/XX/2025. They accepted my business address at opening, yet later used that same address as a reason to deny verification. 

On XX/XX/2025, I contacted Chase after realizing that my fundsdespite the account being closedwere still restricted and inaccessible. At this point, I had assumed the check would arrive within a reasonable time frame through standard mail. However, I began to suspect something was wrong, and I began recording calls from this point forward. 

During that call, I clearly informed Chase that the situation was urgent, that I had a critical financial obligation approaching, and that continued withholding of my funds would result in serious consequences. I explicitly requested that the funds be released and unrestricted immediately. Chase acknowledged my concerns, but took no meaningful action. 

After the account was closed, I expected funds to be released. On XX/XX/2025, Chase finally released my fundsbut they were not mailed out until XX/XX/2025, XXXX days later and XXXX day before a critical {$3000.00} credit card obligation I had warned Chase about since XX/XX/XXXX. 

The check did not arrive until Monday, XX/XX/XXXX, too late to make my XX/XX/2025 payment. As a direct result of this delay, my credit was damaged. 

On XX/XX/XXXX, XXXX day my {$3000.00} credit obligation was dueI contacted Chase again to confirm the status of the check. I was informed that the check had only been mailed out the day before, on XX/XX/XXXX, far too late for me to receive it in time. 

This delay directly triggered my next action. On Sunday, XX/XX/2025, I attempted to opt out of Chases arbitration clause by phone. I was transferred repeatedly, redirected between departments, and ultimately stonewalled. Despite these obstructive tactics, I still successfully opted out via certified mail, well within the 60-day window outlined in Chases deposit agreement. My opt-out documentation was included in the initial written complaint sent to Chase.

My decision to opt out was not premeditated. It was a direct and immediate response to Chases misconduct and their failure to release funds in good faith. Their conduct rendered the arbitration clause contractually unenforceable, as they actively obstructed my ability to exercise that right. Under contract law, a party that prevents or interferes with performance can not later benefit from the clause they sabotaged.

Nonetheless, I followed proper protocol and completed the opt-out by mail to avoid ambiguity. My compliance was not for their sakebut to establish record clarity in anticipation of legal action. 

After Chase received formal notice of my complaint and demands on Wednesday, XX/XX/2025, I received a call the very next morning, Thursday, XX/XX/XXXX, at approximately XXXX AM. The caller, XXXX, a liaison from Chases Executive Office, confirmed that they had received my correspondence and were working on it. 

I heard nothing further until Wednesday, XX/XX/2025 at approximately XXXX XXXX, when XXXX called again. She explained that her partners had been on vacation, and that the complaint was now being reviewed. I had already submitted my updated terms for resolution at that point. She stated that once those terms were reviewed internally, I would be contacted. 

Despite having a clearly stated deadline of XX/XX/XXXX, I received no response whatsoever by that date. 

Instead, on XX/XX/XXXX, XXXX day after the deadline, XXXX called againthis time stating she was hoping to get back with me within the next couple of days. At that point, it became clear that this was no longer a matter of logistical delay ; these were tactics, not efforts at resolution. 

The timeline speaks for itself : One response on the day after initial receipt A week-long silence A vague update tied to an internal vacation No response by the stated deadline A second call only after the deadline expired No commitment to transparency Still, no written offer, no acknowledgment of wrongdoing, and no commitment to resolution These are not good faith actions. This is strategic delay to weaken my position and deter escalation. Unfortunately for Chase, this approach has only had the opposite effect. These are not the actions of a company attempting to make things right. These are calculated delays. And theyve only made escalation necessary. I did not expect to be preparing litigation and submitting regulatory complaintsbut Chases conduct has made it unavoidable. 

I am now preparing to file a civil lawsuit in XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX XXXX Ohio, seeking damages for : Negligent withholding of verified funds Obstruction of federally protected arbitration opt-out rights Reputational and financial harm resulting from Chases internal delays Throughout this process, I have recorded each call under XXXX one-party XXXX law, as outlined in Ohio Revised Code XXXX XXXX B ) ( XXXX ). This law permits any party to a phone call to lawfully record it without notifying the other participant. These recordings include my initial obstructed arbitration opt-out attempt, my repeated warnings about financial harm, and Chases continued deflections. These records will accompany my regulatory and legal filings. If Chase fails to produce these same records or records of other plaintiffs that may come forward, in discovery, I will treat it as evidence spoliation. 

This CFPB complaint is being filed in parallel with federal litigation preparations, as Chase has failed to resolve this matter in good faith.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation