Consumer complaint received 2026-06-09 00:00:00
Product: Checking or savings account — Checking account
Issue: Opening an account — Didn't receive terms that were advertised
Company: Chime Financial Inc
State: AR

Complaint narrative:
This is a XXXX complaint. First, Chime is refusing to pay a referral bonus. Second, in XXXX of XXXX Chime opened a credit account in my name without my authorization. On XXXX XX/XX/XXXX, at approx. XXXX XXXX I used a referral link ( XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXXXXXX XXXX ). This referral link promised that Chime would pay myself ( Referee ) as well as the Referrer a {$100.00} bonus each ( {$200.00} total ). The terms of the offer were that the Referee ( myself ) had to have a XXXX XXXX qualifying direct deposit within XXXX days as well as activate the card within 14 days both occurred. XXXX Email : XXXX Referer Phone : XXXX Referee Email : XXXX Referer Phone : XXXX We waited approx. XXXX months prior to contacting Chime. The first call took place on XX/XX/XXXX with XXXX at approx. XXXX XXXX. During this call, XXXX advised that the referee needed to call separately to prove the referral link was used, they stated they could not speak to both of us on the phone at the same time. XXXX stated that they did not have access to the referees account, which is why the other party needed to call. They also stated they did not need to notate anything on my account because customer service can only see one account at a time and only when someone calls in. At the conclusion of this call XXXX guaranteed that once Chime reviewed the account and they were able to prove the link was used, the bonus would be paid to us both. The next day, XX/XX/XXXX, I called Chime at approx. XXXX XXXX and spoke to XXXX. I explained the situation and the call from the night before. XXXX placed me on hold and came back to advise me to have the referrer call since it was their link. I advised XXXX that customer service had already told the referrer to have me call, XXXX only stated the referrer had to call back to escalate. I then requested an escalation at which point XXXX put me on hold for a period of over XXXX minutes and never returned to the call. While on hold waiting on XXXX, I told the referrer to call Chime ( this makes call # XXXX ) at approx. XXXX XXXX. The referrer provided XXXX ( the automated AI system ) the information. XXXX stated that doesnt sound right multiple times and eventually asked if they wanted to escalate a ticket which was confirmed. We have not heard back on that. Following that, the referrer was transferred to XXXX who was a supervisor. He explained the situation to XXXX. XXXX placed him on hold only to come back and say that I needed to call back in again. The referrer advised XXXX that the I was currently on hold and being told the exact opposite that the referrer needed to call in. He advised XXXX of the call the night prior to which I was already told to have the referee call and did so, but the instruction that was given has not resolved the issue. XXXX would only repeatedly state that there was nothing they could do and that I needed to call in yet again. Chime please go back and listen to these calls. All we, the customers, get is the run around because no one wants to do their job. Everyone keeps saying to have the other person call back which clearly isnt the process because when we call back no one knows what to do. Issue XXXX I have not ever authorized Chime to open a credit account in my name. I opened my Chime account in XX/XX/XXXX, yet somehow in XX/XX/XXXX a credit account was opened in my name, without my consent. I did not opt in for any overdraft protection, credit builder, nothing. Ive only ever agreed to a debit account. This is not an uncommon issue of Chime opening credit accounts without users consents according to the research Ive done. As a matter of fact, the same thing happened to the referrer from the prior issue. This account needs to be close and fully removed from my credit profile immediately. I did not consent nor do I consent now to have any Chime credit account. All history of this account should be purged from my credit profile. I will be providing a screenshot of the page I signed up on, only the Chime Card Secured Chime Visa Credit Card and the Chime Debit Card were an option, theres not even a Green Card listed and I chose debit which is why I have a DEBIT account and only a plain white Chime debit card. I dont even own a Chime credit card nor do the Terms and Conditions I signed up under even reference a XXXX XXXX ( copies of that information are attached as well ).

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation