Consumer complaint received 2026-03-01 00:00:00
Product: Checking or savings account — Checking account
Issue: Managing an account — Deposits and withdrawals
Company: Chime Financial Inc
State: NC

Complaint narrative:
XXXX XXXX LEGAL NOTICE OF DISPUTE AND COMPLAINT SUBMITTED TO : CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION BUREAU ( CFPB ) COPIED TO : XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX ( XXXX ) OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL DATE : XX/XX/year> CONSUMER INFORMATION : Name : XXXX XXXX XXXX of Birth : XXXX Phone Number : XXXX Account Number : XXXX To Whom It May Concern : I am submitting this formal complaint regarding the handling of my federally protected Social Security benefits, improper account practices, and failures to comply with federal consumer protection laws and regulations. XXXX. Illegal XXXX of Protected Funds My monthly Social Security benefit, which is exempt from levy, garnishment, or other legal process under 42 U.S.C. 407 and subject to protections for federal benefit payments, was partially seized before being made available in my account. The deposit amount was {$1100.00}, but only {$740.00} was made available to me, reflecting an unexplained internal offset of {$350.00}. I did not authorize any offset against my protected benefits, and the documents provided by the institution do not match the amount withdrawn. I request a full review of how my Social Security funds were handled, including a detailed explanation of any internal offsets and confirmation that all protections for federal benefit deposits were followed. XXXX. Coercive and Misleading Tactics The company is using coercive tactics regarding a supposed credit account that does not actually provide a true credit line, because I must load my own funds before I can spend. Despite this, representatives have implied that negative information may be reported to credit bureaus if I do not comply with their demands, creating pressure and intimidation. These communications are misleading about the nature of the product and appear designed to strongarm me into accepting responsibility and terms that do not accurately apply to a prepaid or depositfunded account. XXXX. Denial of Support and Access to Assistance After I began challenging the handling of my funds and disputing transactions, I was effectively blocked from chat support. Chat access had previously been available but became restricted only after I raised these concerns. Phone support now involves excessive hold times, repeated transfers, and being sent to ringing extensions with no answer, preventing me from getting meaningful help to resolve the issues. XXXX. Refusal to Escalate and Misrepresentation of Authority My repeated requests to speak with a supervisor or higherlevel representative have been denied. I have been told there is no corporate office and that entrylevel support is the final authority, which I believe is inaccurate and obstructs my ability to have my dispute properly reviewed and escalated. This conduct makes it impossible to resolve the matter directly with the company. XXXX. Inadequate and Bad Faith Investigation ( Regulation E ) I submitted a fraud dispute and briefly received a provisional credit that was then reversed after an investigation that lasted less than XXXX hours. Regulation E requires financial institutions to follow defined errorresolution procedures, including conducting a reasonable investigation within the applicable time frames, providing provisional credit when needed, and reporting the results to the consumer. A denial after such a superficial review does not appear to satisfy these requirements and suggests a bad faith attempt to close the dispute without properly investigating. I request that the institution be required to complete a Regulation Ecompliant investigation, document the steps taken, and provide me with the results in writing, including a clear explanation of the findings and my rights. XXXX. Retaliatory Termination of Communications Support agents have repeatedly terminated chat sessions immediately after I state that I intend to appeal the denied dispute or seek assistance from regulators or other authorities. This pattern appears retaliatory for asserting my rights and further interferes with my ability to obtain information and resolve the dispute. XXXX. Failure to Provide Required Documentation and Disclosures Since approximately XXXX, I have requested written results and reasoning for a dispute involving a merchant that is widely recognized as a fraud risk. Despite these repeated requests, the institution has not provided the required written explanation of the investigation results, the factual basis for its decision, or the documentation and disclosures required under Regulation Es errorresolution provisions. Regulation E requires that, when a financial institution completes an error investigation, it must report the results to the consumer and, if it finds no error or a different error, provide a written explanation of its findings and inform the consumer of the right to request the documents relied upon in making its determination. The ongoing refusal to provide this information, particularly in relation to a known scam merchant, is a serious compliance concern. Requested Relief I respectfully request that the CFPB and the XXXX XXXX of the Inspector General : - Investigate the XXXX and internal offset of my protected Social Security benefits and require the institution to restore any funds that were improperly withheld. - Review the institutions handling of my Regulation E disputes, including the adequacy of the investigation, timing, use and reversal of provisional credit, and failure to provide written results and explanations. - Examine the companys use of coercive and misleading tactics in connection with a product that functions as a prepaid or depositfunded account rather than a traditional credit account. - Address the denial of access to support channels, refusal to escalate complaints, and apparent retaliatory termination of communications when I attempt to assert my rights or seek regulatory assistance. - Require the institution to provide me with all disputerelated documentation, including investigation notes, internal records, and final written determinations, as well as any documents relied upon in denying my claims. Please confirm receipt of this complaint and provide me with a case or reference number. I am prepared to supply statements, screenshots, account records, and any additional documentation needed to assist in your review.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation