Consumer complaint received 2025-06-16 00:00:00
Product: Checking or savings account — Checking account
Issue: Opening an account — Unable to open an account
Company: JPMORGAN CHASE & CO.
State: FL

Complaint narrative:
XX/XX/year> To Whom It May Concern, I am writing to formally file a complaint against JPMorgan Chase Bank ( Chase ) for engaging in discriminatory and deceptive business practices that violate the Equal Credit Opportunity Act ( ECOA ), the Fair Housing Act ( FHA ), federal civil rights protections, and consumer protection laws. 

What Happened My wife and I visited a Chase branch together to open a joint checking account. I am a U.S. citizen and a Chase customer for over 14 years. First question they asked was are you a US citizen to my wife. which was a red flag on opening the conversation. i get the patriot act requires an address. My wife is a lawful permanent resident of the United States. She came prepared with : A valid residential lease agreement listing both of our names Her Employment Authorization Document ( EAD ) Her Thai passport The Chase employees reviewed both her EAD and passport. When they asked for proof of address, my wife reached into her purse to retrieve the valid lease agreement which clearly listed our shared residence and both names. 

However, she was immediately and arbitrarily denied the opportunity to present it. Staff told her a lease would not be accepted, insisting instead on a utility bill or a U.S.-issued ID with an address printed on it, despite the fact that : The lease met the criteria listed in Chases own public-facing materials The address proof requirement is not defined anywhere in federal law as requiring a bill or address-bearing ID This behavior was not only unreasonable it was discriminatory and dishonest.

What Chase Says vs. What They Do Chases public materials ( linked below ) clearly state that a residential lease is an acceptable proof of address : How to open a checking account What you need to open a bank account In contrast, Chases internal document titled Acceptable Forms of Identification relates only to identity verification not proof of address and does not mention any restriction based on immigration or citizenship status.

Yet, in responses to my multiple CFPB complaints, Chase contradicted their public-facing policies by stating that : U.S. citizens may use lease agreements as proof of address NonU.S. citizens must provide utility bills or U.S.-issued IDs with printed addresses This is a clear double standard based on citizenship status, and it has a discriminatory effect on lawful immigrants and foreign-born residents. 

Deceptive and Discriminatory Conduct Chases treatment of my wife and their responses to federal complaints reveal an unofficial but enforced policy that : Applies stricter standards to nonU.S. citizens and lawful residents Directly contradicts their own published guidance Violates anti-discrimination protections To make matters worse, Chase falsely documented the reason for the rejection by claiming my wife failed to provide the required documents when in fact, she attempted to, and they refused to even look at them.

When I requested access to branch security video footage to prove our side, Chase declined citing an internal investigation. This refusal to release evidence, combined with false documentation, suggests consciousness of wrongdoing and a deliberate cover-up.

For reference, XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX and other major institutions accepted these same documents without hesitation indicating that Chases selective enforcement is unnecessary, unjustifiable, and exclusionary. 

Legal Concerns and Civil Rights Violations Chases policies and actions may violate several key federal laws : Equal Credit Opportunity Act ( ECOA ) / Regulation B which prohibits discrimination in banking based on national origin or immigration status The Fair Housing Act ( FHA ) if housing-related documents like leases are being arbitrarily denied as proof Title VI of the Civil Rights Act prohibiting discrimination in programs receiving federal financial assistance USA PATRIOT Act guidance which does not require proof of address to be embedded in an ID document This constitutes : Disparate treatment based on national origin and immigration status Disparate impact on legal residents and immigrants Misrepresentation of public policy and inconsistent internal enforcement What I Am Requesting I respectfully ask your office to : Investigate JPMorgan Chases account opening and identity verification procedures Determine whether nonU.S. citizens are subjected to more burdensome documentation requirements Assess whether Chases conduct violates ECOA, FHA, Title VI, and other federal regulations Require Chase to align internal practices with their publicly posted policies and federal law Take enforcement action to prevent further discriminatory and deceptive practices Ensure no other individuals or families are subjected to this unlawful treatment Supporting Evidence Available I am ready to provide : The residential lease agreement listing both names Copies of my wifes EAD and Thai passport Screenshots and saved PDFs of Chases publicly posted policy pages Email responses from Chase representatives to CFPB complaints, showing conflicting standards A sworn statement describing the incident at the branch Chases internal Acceptable Forms of Identification document A record of Chases refusal to release video footage Thank you for your attention to this matter. I am prepared to provide any further documentation, testimony, or detail your office may require. 

Let 's be clear all there CFPB response have been factually false and video evidence they are holding that proves the case. You can use there own reponses to see where the disconnect and dispararte actions can occur. 

Sincerely, XXXX XXXX

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation