Consumer complaint received 2025-05-02 00:00:00
Product: Checking or savings account — Checking account
Issue: Managing an account — Cashing a check
Company: JPMORGAN CHASE & CO.
State: DC

Complaint narrative:
To Whom It May Concern : I founded and run a company called The Outrage. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, we qualified for a number of Employee Retention Credits. One of these checks, for tax period XX/XX/XXXX of XXXX, was issued on XX/XX/XXXX in the form of a check for {$65000.00} from the IRS. After we did not receive this check, we contacted the IRS in early XXXX. After an investigation we were informed that the check had been deposited. Over the next 18 months we provided extensive documentation to show that the check was not deposited by us in any of our bank accounts. 

In XXXX we received a letter from the IRS ( dated XX/XX/XXXX ) that the check was deposited into a bank account with JP Morgan Chase in XX/XX/XXXX. I was able to get a copy of the check ( number XXXX ) and it is endorsed with a signature and an account number ( XXXX ) - Ive attached this to my complaint. Along with a copy of the check the IRS informed us that this is now an issue between us, the company that endorsed the check and the financial institution that approved payment of the check, i.e. JP Morgan Chase. My case with the IRS was closed. 

After additional back and forth between Chase and the IRS I visited a Chase branch on XX/XX/XXXX. I was able to learn that the account that was opened ( XXXX ) was opened in the XXXX XXXX XXXX branch in XXXX, XXXX. The individual opening the account used fake ids which were flagged as fraudulent by the bank teller and are noted on the account. The bank teller shared her screen with me and I saw in their system where it had been recorded that the identification presented was fraudulent. The person opening the account also provided an XXXX for The Outrage that does not match our XXXX and ends in XXXX ( whereas ours ends in XXXX. ) Additionally the signature on the cashed check does not say my name, XXXX XXXX. I was told by multiple Chase employees that the account was approved without verifying proper identification and that Chase is aware that the account opened was fraudulent and that my money was stolen- by their own account, they did not follow sufficient protocol to ensure a legitimate account was being opened and that the check should be cashed. 

After many calls I was eventually able to open an investigation with the Chase Executive Office ( case # XXXX ). After several calls, on XX/XX/XXXX I was informed that the investigation was concluded and they were able to get approval to send the funds back to the IRS but not to me. I was provided with the XXXX tracking number XXXX and advised to work with the IRS again to have the funds released to me. Tracking shows this correspondence was received by the IRS on XX/XX/XXXX at XXXX in XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  and was signed for by XXXX XXXX XXXX 

On XX/XX/XXXX I was informed by that the IRS did not see funds attached to my account and to call the Bureau of Fiscal services. I spoke with the Bureau of Fiscal Services on XX/XX/XXXX and they said they do not have any record of the funds being returned to them, nor do they have a record of a request for the funds to be released. 

On XX/XX/XXXX I was able to get in touch with JP Morgan Chase executive office to once again request proof that the funds had been returned. They said they were unable to provide me with any information because I was not on the ( fraudulent ) account or a current customer with the bank. They refused to give me any written documentation but repeated they had returned the funds. 

I was able to have the IRS contact JP Morgan Chase directly. My IRS representative told me that JP Morgan Chase informed them that they mailed a check but did not include any information that would allow the IRS to connect the check with my account. It was just a check addressed to the IRS from JP Morgan Chase- no additional letter, no note of my name, business name, or anything. The IRS has informed me that its most likely that the funds were simply applied to JP Morgan Chases tax liability, i.e., they are not being credited to my account. JP Morgan Chase has refused to give the IRS any written documentation about this situation.They refuse to give a copy of the check they claimed to have mailed.

JP Morgan Chase informed me last week that they are unwilling to take any additional action on my issue.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation