Chase Bank Won't Accept $5K Check Mobile Deposited by Georgia Woman. They Close Her Account, Claiming it is Fraud

A Georgia woman is upset after she claims she is being unfairly treated like a "criminal" after trying to mobile deposit a U.S. government refund check for $5,298 into her Chase bank account. The bank flagged the check for fraud and froze her bank account, eventually closing it.

Chase bank sign; by Mike Mozart, CC BY 2.0 DEED

Channel 2 News reported that Lois White from Atlanta is in shock after trying to deposit a check using mobile deposit into her Chase bank account.

She said:

"I feel like a criminal, like I've done something wrong... Apparently, they couldn't verify this check was real." -Lois White, Chase customer

US Government Forgave Lois White's Student Debt

Lois White received a letter in the mail from the U.S. Government forgiving her student debt.

The letter said, "Congratulations -- your student loan has been forgiven."

White was grateful that her debt was forgiven but had no idea that Chase Bank would flag the check as fraud.

Channel 2 News reported that Chase put a "fraud hold" on the check, and closed Lois White's bank account. The bank would not allow her access to her money.

Lois went down to the bank and took her letter. 

She said:

"I went to the branch. I gave them this letter. I gave them this check, gave them my ID, my birth certificate, [my] social security card." -Lois White, Chase customer

 Then Channel 2 News contacted Chase Bank. That's when the bank said they were "researching her case."

As of 8 December 2023, Chase Bank was still holding White's money.

She said:

"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." -Lois White, Chase customer

The United States Coronavirus Stimulus Checks and latest Child Tax Credit

 

Important Information about the First Coronavirus Stimulus Checks

There are important things you need to know regarding the US Coronavirus Stimulus checks.

Question: When did the first stimulus checks come out?

Answer: The first U.S. stimulus checks were issued on April 11, 2020.

Question: How much were the first stimulus checks?

Answer: The first U.S. stimulus checks were $1,200 for individuals with an Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) less than $75,000 and $2,400 for couples with a combined AGI less than $150,000. Each qualifying household could also claim an additional $500 for up to three dependants under 16 years old.

Note: Those that filed direct deposit on their 2018 and 2019 U.S. tax returns to the IRS received their stimulus payments first via direct deposit.

U.S. Coronavirus Stimulus checks

The U.S. Treasury Department announced on Monday, April 13 that tens of millions of Americans will receive the payment by Wednesday, April 15, and that most eligible Americans would receive Economic Impact Payments also known as stimulus checks within two weeks of this date. These payments were made possible due to the CAREs Act.

Source: CNBC

Important Information about the Second Coronavirus Stimulus Checks

Question: When did the second stimulus checks come out?

Answer: The second U.S. stimulus checks were issued on December 29, 2020.

Question: How much were the second stimulus checks?

Answer: The second U.S. stimulus checks were $600 for individuals with an Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) less than $75,000 and $1,200 for couples with a combined AGI less than $150,000. Each qualifying household could also claim an additional $600 for up to three dependants under 16 years old.

These payments were made possible due to the Covid-19 Relief bill.

Important Information about the Third Coronavirus Stimulus Checks

Question: When did the third stimulus checks come out?

Answer: The third U.S. stimulus checks were issued on March 13, 2021.

Question: How much were the third stimulus checks?

Answer: The third U.S. stimulus checks were $1,400 for individuals with an Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) less than $75,000 and $2,800 for couples with a combined AGI less than $150,000. Each qualifying household could also claim an additional $1,400 with no limit on dependant's age or number of dependants claimed.

These payments were made possible due to the American Rescue Plan.

Source: as

Important Information about the Child Tax Credit

According to CBS News, most U.S. parents received their Child Tax Credit the week of October 15, 2021. The monthly checks of $300 per child will continue through the rest of 2021, with up to $1,800 per child will arrive around the April tax time in 2022.

Source: CBS News

Oregon ARCO Sends Check to Over Million in US for $94.42

U.S. residents: Did you receive a check in the mail for $94.42?

Many residents in the state of Oregon are wondering if a check they received for $94.42 is real. Yes. It is a real check. This is not a scam, according to KVAL CBS Channel 13 news story. 

Oregon ARCO issues Check for $94.42 

Over 1 million Oregon residents have received a check in the mail for $94.42 and there is an explanation. If you used your debit card to buy gas at Oregon ARCO between January 1, 2011 and August 30, 2013, you will receive a check for $94.42.

Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum says: "We always encourage Oregonians to be on the look out for scams and to know the signs that something could be a scam. But, in this case, the checks are real. We want Oregonians to know they are safe to cash this check at the bank. If you used a debit card at an Oregon ARCO and am/pm gas station during this time period, you qualify for this class action settlement. This is your money, and we hope that all Oregonians will help us spread the word."

The return address reads:

SCHARFSTEIN V BP WCP LLC

PO BOX 4199

PORTLAND OR 97208-4199