Consumer complaint received 2025-12-03 00:00:00
Product: Checking or savings account — Checking account
Issue: Opening an account — Unable to open an account
Company: JPMORGAN CHASE & CO.
State: CA

Complaint narrative:
1. On Sunday XX/XX/XXXX I opened a business checking account with Chase bank online. I then deposited four checks totaling approximately {$14000.00}. My app was working that day and the funds were listed as pending.

2. On Monday XX/XX/XXXX, I attempted to log in to my Chase mobile app but received the following message ( which still applies to this day ) : " We locked your account due to unusual activity. Call us to unlock it. If you're a commercial client, reach out to your servicing team. Please note that you will not be able to access your account information, documents or statements online or on the mobile app until we unlock your account. '' 3. I called the customer service phone number and went through the identity verification process. I was told I should be able to use the app and mobile banking now. I was not able to.

4. I called again and they transferred me to the fraud department and asked me a series of questions verifying my identity, all of which I answered successfully. They then told me they need to verify the maker of the checks I deposited through the mobile app. I said ok, how does that work. They said they need to call the person 's " verified '' number based on their internal database. I asked them to conduct a XXXX search but was informed they do not use XXXX. 

5. I called the maker of the check ( my attorney ) and asked if the number Chase had for him was one of his numbers. He told me it was his son 's number and he didn't know why Chase though that was his number. Chase said they tried to call that number but no one answered. They told me they would not be able to verify the maker of the check and thus unfreeze my new account until they spoke with the maker of the check. I offered to give them his cell number but they said they do not do it that way, they have to use a " verified number '' through their system. I said ok, but the maker told me the number you have for him is not his number and that he does not know why you have that number for him. They said they could not do anything unless and until they verified the maker of the check with that specific telephone number only.

6. I then contacted the maker of the check and asked that he answer his son 's phone. However, this time Chase said that they were no longer going to use that number as it was no longer " verified. '' 7. I then went to a Chase branch and spoke with a banker about how this issue could be resolved. She called their internal employee help line and they told her the same thing.

8. Subsequently, I went to a different Chase branch and spoke with someone else who again tried to resolve the issue and was unable to for the same reason. I asked if I could bring the maker of the check with me in person to the branch to verify the checks, and she said no it must only be verified by phone and only with a " verified number '' through their proprietary Chase system, not publicly-available databases like XXXX or any other source. So they wouldn't tell me what number they had on file for the maker of the check ( it was no longer the son 's number ) they now said they have no number. I asked if there was anything I could do to facilitate the process but they said no, and that my account would automatically close in ten business days if they were unable to verify the maker of the checks. I asked if that would have adverse consequences such as reporting to XXXX  but the branch employee said she did not know. 

9. She then offered to refer my case to the escalation " complaint escalations group. '' They then responded a couple of business days later stating they were still unable to verify the maker of the checks. I received a voicemail message stating 3/4 checks were " returned '' but that was because I followed their instructions to ask the maker to place a stop payment on the checks. I was given a phone number to contact " if I had any other questions '' ( XXXX XXXX and assigned a case number : [ XXXX ]. 

One check had apparently cleared already but still remains in " financial limbo. '' I am confused and don't know what is going on. The " complain escalations group '' did not inform me about how I can unlock my online access lock and I am as yet ( as of today Tuesday XX/XX/year> ) unable to access the Chase mobile application or online banking. My entire financial life is with Chase and I can not make or receive payments, deposit money, invest, transfer funds from different Chase accounts, look at my Chase credit card, make a payment on my Chase auto account, access check images for my other business account, etc. 

I have been functionally de-banked and banned from my money and the facilities offered by banking due to no fault of my own with no due process and no explanation other than vague and ever-shifting justifications as to why my new account won't be opened. They can't even just lock that account while they investigate and allow me access to all of my other accounts. I am totally un-personed from Chase which is where all my financial services are. This has been an extremely frustrating and humiliating process. I feel utterly powerless, have done nothing wrong, and have been given no means of redress to resolve whatever issue Chase has with me and my account. I have tried everything including asking the maker whether he can call a special number and verify that he indeed wrote me those checks, but everything I have offered and suggested had been denied.

10. I contacted a banking attorney who advised I file a complaint with the CFPB as a first step, prior to writing a letter on my behalf or commencing litigation seeking monetary damages and/or injunctive relief.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation