Pennsylvania man files lawsuit against JPMorgan Chase over $12,000 account dispute
LOWER BURRELL, Pa. —
A Pennsylvania man has filed a federal lawsuit against JPMorgan Chase, claiming the bank mishandled a $12,000 transaction dispute that began when he tried to help a friend in need.
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Dispute begins with payments from a friend
Jim Serena, of Lower Burrell, said the issue started last October when he assisted a friend with expenses for his children, home, and other needs.
“He would have me go do those things, and then he’d send me the money for it,” Serena said.
In April, Serena’s friend reported that nearly $12,000 was missing from his Chase bank account.
“When they asked him if he’d ever sent Zelle transactions, he didn’t realize that was the platform name,” Serena said.
Chase freezes account during investigation
JPMorgan Chase froze Serena’s account, which contained the $12,000, as part of its investigation. Serena and his friend realized the mistake and submitted two notarized affidavits to the bank.
“They ultimately locked me out of my account, credited everything back to Pete, and then closed his account,” Serena said.
Account closure threatens Social Security payments
Serena, who also has an account with Citizens Bank, said the situation forced him to quickly redirect his payments earlier this year.
“My Social Security would’ve gone into that account. I would’ve had no funds to live on. I would’ve had nothing,” he said.
Despite submitting several forms to Chase, Serena said his account was closed and charged off.
“My account ended up being over $11,000 negative,” he said.
Serena seeks $900,000 in federal lawsuit
In June, Serena filed a federal lawsuit against JPMorgan Chase, seeking around $900,000 in damages. However, he said the case is not about the money.
“Why aren’t you just moving on? Because what’s right is right, and what’s wrong is wrong,” Serena said.
Bank defends its actions and seeks dismissal
JPMorgan Chase said it lawfully returned the $12,000 from Serena’s account after the other person reported the Zelle transfers as unauthorized. The bank argued its account agreement allowed the action and that Serena’s evidence did not require it to return the money.
The bank’s lawyers are seeking to have the lawsuit dismissed.