JPMorgan Chase is one of the largest banks in America—and they've paid $31+ million in SCRA violation settlements.

That history means two things: Chase now has dedicated SCRA compliance infrastructure, and you should document everything when requesting your benefits.

This is the complete guide to claiming SCRA protections from Chase.

What You're Entitled To

If you have Chase accounts that were opened before entering active duty, you're entitled to:

Interest Rate Cap (6%)

Under 50 U.S.C. § 3937, Chase must reduce interest rates to 6% on:

  • Credit cards (Chase Sapphire, Freedom, etc.)
  • Auto loans through Chase
  • Personal loans
  • Home equity lines (HELOCs)
  • Mortgages (pre-service)

Retroactive Refunds

The rate cap is retroactive to your first day of active duty. If you've been paying more than 6%, Chase owes you:

  • Refund of all excess interest
  • Recalculated payment history
  • Correction of any late fees caused by the higher rate

Fee Waivers

Many Chase accounts include fee waivers for active duty:

  • Annual fees on credit cards
  • Monthly service fees on checking/savings
  • ATM fees (including out-of-network)

Foreclosure Protection

If you have a Chase mortgage from before service:

  • Cannot foreclose without court order during service
  • Protection extends one year after service ends
  • Court must appoint attorney if you're not represented

How to Submit Your SCRA Request

Option 1: Chase Military Banking Website

Chase has a dedicated military services portal:

  1. Go to chase.com and search "Military Banking" or "SCRA"
  2. Navigate to the SCRA benefits request form
  3. Upload your military orders
  4. Specify which accounts you want covered
  5. Submit and save confirmation

Option 2: Written Request by Mail

Send to:

Chase Military Banking
P.O. Box 183113
Columbus, OH 43218-3113

Include:

  • Your full name and account numbers
  • Written request citing 50 U.S.C. § 3937
  • Copy of military orders showing active duty dates
  • Request for rate reduction AND retroactive refund
  • Your contact information

Send via certified mail with return receipt so you have proof of delivery.

Option 3: Call Military Services

Chase Military Banking: 1-877-469-0110

When you call:

  • Have your military orders ready
  • Note the date, time, and representative name
  • Request a case number
  • Ask for written confirmation of your request
  • Follow up in writing

What to Include in Your Request

Required Documents

  1. Written request letter stating:
  • You're invoking SCRA benefits under 50 U.S.C. § 3937
  • List of accounts to be covered
  • Request for rate reduction to 6%
  • Request for retroactive refund of excess interest
  • Your active duty start date
  1. Military orders showing:
  • Your name
  • Active duty start date
  • Duration of orders (or indefinite if applicable)
  • Branch of service

Acceptable orders include:

  • DA Form 31
  • PCS orders
  • Deployment orders
  • Orders to active duty (Guard/Reserve)
  • DD-214 (if claiming within 180 days of separation)

What Accounts to List

Be explicit. List every Chase account by name and last 4 digits:

  • "Chase Sapphire Preferred ending in 1234"
  • "Chase Freedom Unlimited ending in 5678"
  • "Auto loan account #xxxxx"

If you're unsure which accounts you have, call customer service first to get a complete list.

Timeline and What to Expect

Within 30 Days

Chase should:

  • Acknowledge receipt of your request
  • Reduce your interest rate to 6%
  • Provide confirmation in writing

Within 60 Days

Chase should:

  • Process retroactive refunds
  • Credit excess interest to your account or issue a check
  • Send a corrected payment history

If Nothing Happens

If you don't see action within 30 days:

  1. Call Military Banking and reference your case number
  2. Send a follow-up letter (certified mail)
  3. File a complaint with the CFPB
  4. Contact your base JAG office

Common Issues and How to Handle Them

"We don't show you as active duty"

Chase should check the DoD SCRA database, but errors happen. Provide:

  • A current Leave and Earnings Statement (LES)
  • Commander's letter confirming active duty status
  • Updated orders if your original orders were temporary

"Your orders don't cover this period"

If you have continuous active duty but orders that expired:

  • Provide extension orders
  • Get a letter from your S1/Admin confirming continuous service
  • Include your LES showing current active duty status

"This account doesn't qualify"

The account must have been opened before active duty. If Chase claims the account doesn't qualify:

  • Verify the account open date in your records
  • Provide the original account agreement if you have it
  • Request Chase provide the account open date they have on file

"We can only reduce to X%"

The law says 6%. Not 6.5%, not "your current rate minus 2%." If Chase tries to apply a different rate:

  • Cite 50 U.S.C. § 3937 explicitly
  • State the rate must be reduced to 6% per federal law
  • Escalate to a supervisor

"We don't provide retroactive refunds"

Wrong. Under 50 U.S.C. § 3937(a)(2), interest in excess of 6% is forgiven. That includes interest already paid. If Chase refuses:

  • Cite the statute
  • File a CFPB complaint
  • Contact your JAG office

Tracking Your Benefits

Once your SCRA request is processed:

Monthly Statement Review

Check each statement to verify:

  • Interest rate shows 6% or less
  • No annual fees are being charged
  • No unauthorized fees appear

Refund Tracking

Document when you requested retroactive refunds and how much you expect. If the refund seems low:

  • Request a detailed calculation
  • Compare to your own records
  • Challenge discrepancies in writing

Keep Records

Maintain a file with:

  • Copies of all correspondence
  • Certified mail receipts
  • Confirmation numbers
  • Statements showing the rate change
  • Refund documentation

The 180-Day Deadline

Critical: If you've separated from active duty, you must submit your SCRA request within 180 days of separation to receive full benefits.

After 180 days, you lose:

  • The right to retroactive refunds
  • Interest rate protection for pre-service debts
  • Certain other SCRA protections

If you're approaching this deadline, submit your request immediately—even if it's incomplete. You can provide additional documentation later.

If Chase Violates Your Rights

Chase paid $31 million for past SCRA violations. If they're not honoring your benefits:

  1. Document everything - Dates, names, what was said
  2. File a CFPB complaint - consumerfinance.gov/complaint
  3. Contact your JAG - Free legal assistance for servicemembers
  4. Report to DOJ - justice.gov/crt/servicemembers-civil-relief-act-scra
  5. Consider legal action - SCRA allows you to sue for actual damages plus attorney fees

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