Consumer complaint received 2025-09-04 00:00:00
Product: Credit card — General-purpose credit card or charge card
Issue: Getting a credit card — Card opened without my consent or knowledge
Company: JPMORGAN CHASE & CO.
State: TX

Complaint narrative:
Background and Account Opening : In XXXX, an account was opened with Chase in my name without my knowledge or authorization. 

The email address on file was not mine. I did not receive statements or notices. All communications from Chase went to my ex-husband, who had control of the account. 

When I later attempted to authenticate the account with Chase, I could not do so because the mothers maiden name on file was incorrect, further indicating fraudulent setup. 

Court Orders and Legal Responsibility : On XX/XX/XXXX, temporary court orders required my ex-husband to pay my living expenses and legal fees, and to cover credit card accounts he authorized. 

On XX/XX/XXXX, a binding Mediated Settlement Agreement ( MSA ) was signed. This agreement specifically identified the Chase XXXX XXXX card as my ex-husbands liability and confirmed his obligation to pay my legal fees. 

On XX/XX/XXXX, my attorney contemporaneously noted this card among my ex-husbands responsibilities consistent with the MSA. 

Use of the Account Under Orders : On XX/XX/XXXX, a payment of {$5000.00} was charged to XXXX XXXX XXXX on the Chase XXXX XXXX card. The billing address shown was not my residence. 

This transaction was made at my ex-husbands direction to cover attorneys fees that, under the court orders, he was responsible for paying. 

Ex-Husbands Control and Shifting of Liability : My ex-husband made payments on the account from a joint checking account for nearly two years after our final divorce decree. Given the other financial misconduct he has engaged in, I believe this was an intentional act. He used the joint checking account to create the appearance that the card was a shared responsibility rather than a fraudulent account he opened in my name. In essence, he strategically used joint funds to avoid being held solely accountable for the card and only revealed its existence when he attempted to transfer the liability to me.

This pattern fits into a broader context of financial manipulation, and I believe Chase should recognize that these payments do not legitimize the account. Instead, they highlight his intent to avoid responsibility and shift the burden onto me. 

On XX/XX/XXXX, he emailed me stating : Just so youre aware, this credit card is in your name and I pay the monthly bill every month. He forwarded Chase statements to mefurther proof I had never received them directly. 

On XX/XX/XXXX, he wrote : Its your card. I dont have access. Yet the next day, XX/XX/XXXX, he provided the username and password to the account, contradicting his claim of no access. 

Only in XX/XX/XXXX did I begin personally receiving Chase communications about the account. 

Fraud Reporting and Chases Response : In XX/XX/XXXX, after my ex-husband attempted to shift the liability to me, I contacted Chase. I could not authenticate the account due to the incorrect mothers maiden name. 

After weeks of review and providing evidenceincluding a police reportChase initially removed the account from my credit report and treated it as fraud. 

However, months later, Chase reinstated the account to my credit file. Their stated reason was that because my ex-husband had made payments from a joint checking account, they would not classify the matter as fraud. However, the presence of this fraudulent account on my credit report has significantly damaged my credit score. As a result, it has prohibited me from purchasing essential items and accessing financial opportunities that I need, especially as I have a critically ill child and need things with my credit. This ongoing credit issue has had a direct and harmful impact on my financial stability.

Key Argument : My ex-husband fraudulently opened this account in my name in XXXX, concealed it during divorce proceedings, and paid it himself for nearly two years after the final divorce decree.

The binding MSA, attorney records, and court orders confirm that this card was his responsibility.

He used it for his own expenses and for legal bills he was court-ordered to cover. 

Only in XX/XX/XXXX did he reveal the account to me, at which point I immediately sought to correct the matter with Chase. 

Chases reinstatement of this account to my credit file, after initially acknowledging the fraud, is improper and harmful.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation