JPMorgan Chase Froze, Terminated Customer’s Account After $5,298 Deposit

A JPMorgan Chase customer says she’s practically homeless after the bank froze and then terminated her account when she deposited a government check.

The Atlanta-based ABC-affiliated news station WSB-TV reported that Lois White was thrilled when she found out she’s one of the 800,000 Americans who qualified for a one-time payment adjustment that forgave her student loans.

As part of the $39 billion debt-relief program, White received a check worth $5,298 from the federal government as a refund for overpayments. 

She immediately deposited the check to her Chase account with plans to use the money to take care of some bills.

But her relief was short-lived, with Chase abruptly deciding to hold her check and freeze her account under fraud suspicions.

“Apparently, they couldn’t verify this check was real.” 

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The banking giant then took it a step further and shut down White’s account entirely, leaving her unable to access her funds.

In an effort to reverse the bank’s decision, White says she submitted a letter of confirmation of the refund from her loan servicer and proof that the check came from that same loan servicer.

“I went to the branch. I gave them this letter. I gave them this check, gave them my ID, my birth certificate, and social security card.”

But Chase remains unmoved as the lender refuses to give White access to her funds.

“I’m devastated because I’ve always been able to pay my bills on time and handle my business. But I’m like couch surfing now.” 

When WSB-TV contacted Chase on the matter, the bank appeared to do an about face. In a statement, the lender says it’s now investigating White’s case.

“We are working with our customer and the United States Treasury to verify any funds she is due.”