Consumer complaint received 2025-08-15 00:00:00
Product: Checking or savings account — Checking account
Issue: Managing an account — Deposits and withdrawals
Company: JPMORGAN CHASE & CO.
State: NC

Complaint narrative:
Subject : Illegal Hold on Funds, Fraudulent Misrepresentation, and Unprofessional Conduct Regarding a Deceased Person 's Account Name of Deceased : XXXX XXXX Last XXXX of XXXX : XXXX Date of Death : XX/XX/year> I am filing this formal complaint to demand an immediate investigation and resolution regarding Chase Bank 's illegal actions and fraudulent misrepresentation following the death of my husband, XXXX XXXX. The banks conduct has caused severe financial and emotional distress during a period of immense grief. 
On XX/XX/year>, a Social Security retirement benefit payment for the month of XXXX was direct deposited into our joint checking account, which is titled in both of our names. This payment was for a month in which my husband was alive and was, therefore, rightfully due. Despite this, Chase Bank placed an immediate and unwarranted hold on the entire deposit. 
My attempts to resolve this issue have been met with conflicting information and unacceptable behavior from Chase employees. 
On XX/XX/year>, I spoke with a Social Security Administration ( SSA ) representative who confirmed that the XXXX payment was correctly issued and that the SSA was not holding the funds. I then contacted Chase and was explicitly instructed to visit a local branch with my ID and my husband 's death certificate to have the funds released. 
On the same day, XX/XX/year>, I complied with the bank 's request, traveling to the [ Chase Bank XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX, NC XXXX branch. A Chase employee made copies of my documents and assured me the hold would be resolved. 
Today, XX/XX/year>, the funds remain on hold, which has caused my account to incur multiple overdraft fees. Upon calling Chase for a follow-up, a different representative, whose name I was not given, explicitly lied by stating the SSA was the one holding the funds. This statement directly contradicts what the SSA and a previous Chase representative told me. 
When I requested a written statement from the bank confirming that they are not holding the funds, the representative flatly refused, telling me to get a letter from the SSA instead. This refusal is a clear attempt by Chase to avoid accountability and leave no paper trail of their fraudulent claims. 
The bank is in possession of my husband 's death certificate, a fact they requested, yet they continue to hold funds that are legally mine as the surviving account holder. The conflicting information and deliberate lack of communication from Chase employees is causing significant financial hardship and unnecessary stress. I consider the bank 's actions to be a violation of standard banking practices and a deliberate act of bad faith.

I am demanding the following immediate actions : Immediate Release of Funds : The XXXX Social Security deposit must be released to the joint account immediately. 
Full Reimbursement : All overdraft fees and any other charges incurred as a direct result of this hold must be fully refunded. 
Written Explanation : I require a formal, written explanation from Chase for the conflicting information I received and the refusal of your employees to provide a written statement. 
Should this matter not be resolved to my complete satisfaction in a timely manner, please be advised that I am prepared to seek further legal action and will pursue any and all remedies available to me to hold Chase Bank accountable for their reprehensible conduct.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation