OLYMPIA, Wash. – Six months ago, JPMorgan Chase said it wasn't "technically feasible" to alert Washington welfare clients to an 85-cent ATM fee. But as of last month the bank has now programmed its cash machines to warn of the fee at the time of the transaction.
In May of this year, we reported that JPMorgan Chase was collecting more than $100,000 a month in ATM fees from Washington cash assistance clients. But the 85-cent charge to withdraw cash didn't show up on the ATM screen or the client's receipt.
A tip led to our story which prompted lawmakers to act. They passed legislation requiring JPMorgan to disclose the fee at the time of the cash withdrawal.
Our original tipster, Therese McLeod, says the ATM now tells her "remember" if you proceed you'll incur an 85-cent fee.
"I just thought the word 'remember' started off the message was pretty funny because how are people supposed to remember when they were never told in the first place," McLeod says.
The 85-cent fee is disclosed in the information packet that comes with electronic benefits cards. Washington is currently renegotiating its contract with JPMorgan in an effort to lower this fee.
On the Web:
Chase Bank Collecting Hundreds Of Thousands In ATM Fees From Welfare Clients:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=136072292
Washington Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) Card:
http://www.dshs.wa.gov/onlinecso/ebt.shtml
EBT card brochure:
http://www.dshs.wa.gov/pdf/Publications/22-310.pdf
Copyright 2011 Northwest News Network
Copyright 2011 Northwest News Network
