Chase Bank

I’m disgusted with this bank. I parked for 10-​minutes in the parking lot to run and grab take out. Like the previous review states — someone watches you get out, places a boot on your vehicle and you have to pay cash to have it removed.
I called the bank following the incident — they confirmed there’s a sign which there is under a big tree and they wouldn’t refund the money.
I closed my accounts, cancelled my credit card and told them I’m done banking with them.
Lesson learned — read all signs in a parking lot and find a bank you can TRUST.

I have a been a Chase customer for years but will be closing my account. Went to use the ATM after hours and left for less than 5 minutes. Came back to find a boot on my car. I was with my small child. Anyone with small children could understand how difficult it is to run errands when you have them with you. To be able to park and multitask (especially in the busy downtown area) as quickly as possible is important. It is unreasonable to expect your customers to have to move their cars immediately after completing a transaction. The signs say for parking for «Chase customers only.» When I explained to the man who demanded $ 95 for parking there for 5 minutes that I am indeed a Chase customer and was doing business as such, I was told that customers are not allowed to walk away even for a minute. Once you leave the parking lot, you will get a boot. This individual will actually watch customers walk away and boot their cars. He will not say anything until you come back. Then he is VERY vocal. He sits in an unmarked car and it is his «job» to do this. Chase management is unapologetic and intends to continue this practice. For them, it is more important to keep cars out of their lot than to retain their customers. I learned my lesson and will NEVER park there again since I now have no reason to. Wells Fargo isn’t too far and I’m sure they would be okay with me parking for more than 5 minutes in their lot if I am their customer.

Thanks Judy and Marc, I had the same experience the other evening while using the Chase ATM.
When I asked the bank manager for a refund of the $ 90, he said was not their responsibility.
Im glad I never did any loans with these guys. There is a youtube of Angelo Williams (Avalon) asking the city of New Rochelle for a rate increase (mentioning Chase is a customer)
How can the city of Stamford, let a THUG like this intimidate women shoppers.
WTF

First of all– we have been Chase customers for almost 30 YEARS but we are changing to another bank ASAP for the degrading experience we had last Saturday night.
I would like to give this bank NO STARS for the lack of respect shown to their customers. We parked in the lot after looking for a no parking sign but not seeing one.
When we got back to our car there was a boot on our car and a very disrespectful man made us pay $ 95 in CASH after insulting my husband! I called the police but they said that Chase has hired him to do this! CASH only too– very tacky!
We spoke with the regional manager and she said that Chase does this to keep their customers safe because there previously were a lot of vagrants that hung out in the lot.
Why not have a guard to warn people or a chain across the entrances???
This guy even watches people walk away from their cars (as he posted in the previous review– Angelo W) but doesn’t say anything so he and Chase can make $ 95!!! A lost lifelong customer for $ 95!!!
There are so many great bank choices out there and we will be moving to one of those! Don’t Bank at Chase!!!

The 45 Prospect St Chase bank engages in predatory booting in violation of Connecticut State law.
Chase is both allowing and encouraging Avalon Towing, run by Angelo Williams of New Rochelle, to boot as many people as possible on their property. Angelo operates out of an unmarked private vehicle, a black BMW with New York plates. He or one of his non-​employee associates (compensated on commission) will watch you as you park and will boot your car the moment you walk off the lot even if you’re a Chase customer or have just done business on the property. He demands $ 95 in cash to remove the boot.
Local Chase management is in on this B.S., so don’t bother complaining to them. Senior «leadership» at the Stamford Police Department has taken the position that this is a private matter they will not get involved with. They do however have a duty to uphold the law, so know your rights:
If you are booted in Connecticut, you have the right to demand to pay via credit card. You also have the right to demand to know the name and contact information of the property owner/​lessee/​agent who authorized the boot. If the towing company representative is unable to name the owner/​lessee/​agent who authorized the booting they must remove the boot free of charge. If they threaten to tow your car away they are not permitted to do so if you are present and volunteer to remove your vehicle from the premises immediately.
Please reach out to me if you are willing to share your experience with Avalon; other victims and I are exploring ways to put a stop to this abuse.

I’LL DO YOU ONE BETTER… HERE WAS MY EXPERIENCE YESTERDAY VIA THE COMPLAINT I SUBMITTED TO CHASE ONLINE AND THE BBB:
To Whom It May Concern:
It is with great regret I write this complaint regarding my experience with your branch on 45 Prospect Street, Stamford CT but the incident that occurred yesterday has left me no other recourse. Let me start this letter stating that I have been a loyal Chase customer for years, and switched to you after being a lifetime Sovereign/​NatWest/​Santander customer. I consolidated all of my accounts, checking, savings, and children accounts, did all my online bill paying, direct deposit, etc. with Chase. Yesterday at approximately 6pm (the branch was closed) I parked my car in the lot to use the ATM and noticing that there was a line of customers, and it was a cold night, I figured I would walk a block to McDonalds and the convenience store to get a Snapple, and come back to do my banking. I vaguely noticed the «gentleman» in the orange vest (and I use that word loosely) sleeping in his car, and paid no mind to it, I presumed it was after hours and parking would not be an issue. Mind you, this is something I have done at this lot for years, dozens of times, and I presumed as long as I am conducting «Chase» Business as a «Chase» Customer, I would not have a problem. I was not leaving the car overnight, and I would be back soon. I could not have been more wrong.
I got back to the parking lot, went to the ATM at 7:25 (so I was gone a little more than an hour) and noticed something was not right. There was a car too close to mine and upon inspection I had a boot on my wheel. I tried to explain that I am a Chase customer, showed him my ATM receipt and MAC Card as proof. At this point I was verbally berated by Avalon Towing, demanding $ 95 dollars «OR ELSE», called «ignorant» for not reading the signs, and when I mentioned I was an attorney and would be writing this email was told «I must be the worst attorney in the world». These are direct quotes, and not in calm manner (not that would justify the insults) but in a loud, rude, demeaning tone, to the point in hindsight, I probably should have called the police. Rather than escalate the confrontation, I asked for his name on the receipt which he refused, paid the $ 95 and left.
Today I went to the branch to report this incident and spoke to the Assistant Manager, who was equally disconnected and not understanding my point of view. The signs say in the lot «Parking for Bank Patrons Only» and «Illegally Parked & Unauthorized Vehicles with be Towed or Booted» (SEE ATTACHED), well, I was a Bank Patron, and as a business invitee I was NOT illegally parked or unauthorized. I could not get through to the Manager, and ultimately closed my 3 savings accounts for myself and my two children. Basically I was told Chase does not value me as a customer, and more importantly the Manager seemed more sympathetic to Avalon stating «that guy has to have some thick skin… I wouldn’t want his job». In the client service business there is no excuse for rude, crass, or threatening behavior, regardless of the situation. I wonder what the BBB, or FED, or more importantly the Stamford Advocate would feel about how Chase is treating its customers. I understand some fault 10−25%, lets even say 50% is mine for not reading the fine print on the signs about «walk away» and leaving my car unattended for an hour or so, but that seems like a lot of discretion and power to give Avalon and I debate whether it could be reasonable that a banking customer grab a drink or bite while doing his or her banking before, during or after conducting legitimate banking business. Again I had no other recourse other than to close my non-​essential accounts, and as soon as I can get my affairs in order will be closing the checking account, I just cannot do so due to direct deposit and some reoccurring bill pay set-​ups.
If you would like to discuss this further please contact me but from my experience with Chase, my expectations of positive resolution are very low.

Here is a long-​time Chase customer’s bad experience with Chase —
On the afternoon of Feb 22 2015, I went to Chase Branch in Stamford Downtown (45 Prospect St, Stamford CT) to use ATM get cash. Since I had to run some errands in the neighborhood, I left my car in the parking lot. After 10 mins when I came back, a guy sat in his BMW next to my car. He was watching me put all my stuff in my car. When I was about to enter the car, he said he had locked my front wheel because Chase hires his company Avalon Towing to do this. I had to pay $ 95 to unlock it. Cash, no receipt. He locked another person’s car 5 seconds before the owner arrived.
I understand the parking lot patrol is to guarantee Chase Bank customers having parking space during business hours. However, Sunday is off hours and the whole parking lot is empty. What is the point to have parking lot patrol? It is just bait. In the same neighborhood, we have many other banks (TD, Bank of America, People’s United Bank, Wells Fargo etc). None of them do the same thing. Chase, you really hurt my feeling.
I will spread the word to let as many people know as possible. At the same time, I am seriously thinking to leave Chase.

This bank closes for the slightest inclement weather. Completely unreliable, inept customer service.

This bank will boot your car if you park in the lot after hours. A rep from their towing company sits in his car and watches you park there and as soon as you leave he will boot your car and charge you $ 95 to remove it. He certainly could have told me not to park there.
SHAME ON CHASE BANK. Do they need money that badly?

I usually have a good experience here. However one of the managers there could really learn some customer service. She is quite rude. Otherwise bank is convenient to get to and overall staff is good.