Finder makes money from featured partners, but editorial opinions are our own.

JP Morgan sued by Coinbase customer over fee changes

Posted:
News
shutterstock crypto bitcoin market prices 450x250

The suit claims customers were duped into unknowingly racking up large fees and weren't told of changes.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. is being sued for charging "sky-high" fees and interest rates on cryptocurrency purchases, reports Bloomberg. The class action suit, brought by Brady Tucker, a Coinbase and Chase credit card customer from Idaho, seeks reimbursement and $1 million in damages.

It claims that in January the bank started treating cryptocurrency buys as cash advances without informing its customers of the change.



Tucker says he and other customers routinely used credit card to buy cryptocurrency through Coinbase and other exchanges and would pay it off by the end of the billing cycle.

"Chase silently smacked them with instant-cash-advance fees, plus much higher interest rates than normal, and left them without any recourse," Tucker said.

The reason for using a credit card, Tucker said, was because it was the only way to buy instantly, rather than waiting several days for a bank transfer. He said he would have stopped using the card and would have avoided the fees if the bank had informed him of the policy change.

The fees came up to a total of $143 in fees and $20.61 in interest in January and February alone, according to the complaint. When he contacted the bank, he was told the charges were Coinbase's fault.

This isn't the first time Coinbase has been blamed for excess credit card charges. In February, many customers found themselves being charged multiple times for cryptocurrency purchases, and card issuers were quick to point the finger at the crypto company. Then, as might have happened now, it eventually came out that the problem was on the card issuer's side.

But in that case, the problem seems to have been a technical issue, while this lawsuit relates to accusations of the bank changing its policies without informing affected customers.

Other banks have blocked cryptocurrency purchases with a credit card outright, as Commonwealth Bank did in February. That change was to prevent customers from racking up unpayable debt on volatile crypto purchases. With crypto prices generally slumping since then, some Commonwealth Bank customers might have dodged an expensive bullet.


Disclosure: At the time of writing, the author holds ETH, IOTA, ICX, VEN, XLM, BTC and NANO.

Disclaimer: This information should not be interpreted as an endorsement of cryptocurrency or any specific provider, service or offering. It is not a recommendation to trade. Cryptocurrencies are speculative, complex and involve significant risks – they are highly volatile and sensitive to secondary activity. Performance is unpredictable and past performance is no guarantee of future performance. Consider your own circumstances, and obtain your own advice, before relying on this information. You should also verify the nature of any product or service (including its legal status and relevant regulatory requirements) and consult the relevant Regulators' websites before making any decision. Finder, or the author, may have holdings in the cryptocurrencies discussed.

Latest cryptocurrency news

Picture: Shutterstock

Get started with crypto

Ask an Expert

You are about to post a question on finder.com.au:

  • Do not enter personal information (eg. surname, phone number, bank details) as your question will be made public
  • finder.com.au is a financial comparison and information service, not a bank or product provider
  • We cannot provide you with personal advice or recommendations
  • Your answer might already be waiting – check previous questions below to see if yours has already been asked

Finder only provides general advice and factual information, so consider your own circumstances, or seek advice before you decide to act on our content. By submitting a question, you're accepting our Terms of Use, Disclaimer & Privacy Policy and 6. Finder Group Privacy & Cookies Policy.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Go to site