Consumer complaint received 2026-01-28 00:00:00
Product: Checking or savings account — Checking account
Issue: Managing an account — Deposits and withdrawals
Company: JPMORGAN CHASE & CO.
State: NV

Complaint narrative:
My Spouse passed away on XX/XX/year>. 

She received her usual XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX on XX/XX/year> of {$2300.00}. 
( XXXX XXXX are always in arrears, in her case paid on the XXXX Wednesday of each month, representing benefits for the previous month. ) Chase Bank notified me by email on XX/XX/XXXX, they were placing a hold on those funds since they were received after her passing. 

The next day, XX/XX/XXXX, I discovered they had actually withdrawn the funds using an ACH withdrawal. There was no receipt or other identification on the transaction other than simply XXXX withdrawal. 

Although I immediately reached out to XXXX using the account 's Secure Messaging center, I was told I would have to make an appointment at the nearest Branch to discuss. 

I was able to obtain an appointment with a Banking XXXX for Tuesday, XX/XX/XXXX to discuss my issues. After over an hour of my insisting that I should have some type of receipt for those funds, I was finally handed a letter dated XX/XX/XXXX, that was claimed to have been mailed to me. I have not received any letter by mail at this point, however I was handed a copy of said letter that stated they had returned those funds to XXXX as they were deposited after her death. No Receipt, No Explanation, No Identification Number. 

I did file a complaint with Chase Bank requesting information related to the transaction such as a copy of any notice of reclamation from XXXX or the reason code utilized in the return transaction they claimed to have made. The response the following day the complaint was closed and I should contact XXXX. ( I had already contacted XXXX as the amount was obvious what it was. XXXX claimed no knowledge of any reclamation effort, and had no record of a return transaction under her SS number ) No proofs or evidence to support their claim to have returned the funds and no receipt or documentation of any kind has been provided. 

Although I was in the middle of my family and personal grieving process, I was able to do some research on what is supposed to happen in these circumstances. What I found out leads me to believe Chase Bank acted illegally by using ACH withdrawal as the authorization on that transaction had died with my Spouse, in addition there was no effort made to gain my authorization for the ACH transaction considering I am also a Joint account holder for that account. Beyond that, Chase Bank made a misleading statement regarding placing a hold, when they actually made an ACH withdrawal. I believe XXXX Back has violated ACH laws and as a result, XXXX laws as well. 

As a result of all of this, and my research into how XXXX would request a return of such funds IF there had been an overpayment. There is a wealth of information out there that states XXXX would issue a " XXXX '' using FS form XXXX, that would contain the specifics of their claim for those funds and a request for repayment from the XXXX account holder or the XXXX. None of this has taken place. 

I discovered that not only had Chase Bank violated my rights with respect to ownership of those funds, it appears they have specifically violated XXXX XXXX in that they did not follow the " XXXX XXXX XXXX' as is part of their obligation as an " XXXX  ''. 

With respect to the XXXX XXXX, Specifically Chapter XXXX that Governs Reclamations. 
I was able to find several sections where Chase Bank just flat out did not follow the XXXX. 

Quoting Chapter XXXX Section XXXX : B : Limiting Liability. Line XXXX. 
" An XXXX  may qualify to limit its liability if it : returns all post death benefit payments it receives after it learns of the recipients death { but not post death benefit payments it received before it learned of the death } "... 

Section XXXX : B : subsection : " Requirements to Return Post Death Benefit Payments '' " It is important to understand that once a payment has been credited to a XXXXXXXX XXXX account, it becomes the property of the account holder. In the case of XXXX XXXX Payments, the payments become property of the joint account holder or decedent 's estate. The Government can not legally authorize an XXXX  to take funds already credited to an account and return them to the Government. 

Quoting Chapter XXXX Section XXXX : Reclamation Procedures. 
A : Notification of Death : An XXXX  must immediately return..... { but not post death benefit payments that the XXXX received before becoming aware of the recipient 's death } There's more, and truly in this matter Chase bank has not only shown a disregard for their Depositor, but the Law, including Rules and Regulations Governing the Behavior of Entities who wish to do business with the Federal Government by becoming an XXXX. 

At the end of the Day, I just want my money back. But the main concern is for the many people who are not as financially secure as I am, this kind of action by Chase Bank, could be devastating to those persons, emotionally and financially. 

Please Advise if you need documentation or any more specific information. 

Thank You.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation