A viral TikTok trend has people flocking to Chase Bank ATMs, thinking they’ve found a way to score “free money.” But as it turns out, this so-called glitch is nothing more than check fraud, and it’s landing those who tried it in serious trouble.

Social media videos have been spreading like wildfire, showing people exploiting what they believe is a glitch at Chase ATMs. The trick? Depositing fake checks and then withdrawing cash before the bank realizes the checks are bogus. Crowds were reportedly lining up at Chase locations in New York City, hoping to grab some quick cash. One user on X shared a video of people all hyped up outside a Chase ATM, all enjoying the viral “glitch.”

But Chase was quick to respond, and now those who thought they’d found a loophole are paying a high price. The bank immediately fixed the issue and began taking back the money from customers who took advantage of the bug. “We are aware of this incident, and it has been addressed,” a Chase spokesperson told the New York Post. “Depositing a fraudulent check and withdrawing the funds from your account is fraud, plain and simple.”

What seemed like easy money has now turned into a nightmare. Some Chase customers are finding their accounts locked and burdened with massive negative balances. One unlucky person posted about having almost $40,000 deducted from their account under the label “ATM deposit error.” Accounts are being frozen, and many of those involved are now facing debts they never anticipated. Here are two of many such claims and videos:

This isn’t the first time people have tried to exploit ATM glitches. Last year, a similar incident at Bank of Ireland allowed customers to withdraw up to €1,000 ($1,105.34) even if they didn’t have enough funds. But just like with Chase, the issue was quickly fixed, and customers were left dealing with the fallout. In fact, a few weeks later, Cash App users also discovered a glitch that let them get “free money and food” from Apple Pay and DoorDash respectively, but quickly found their accounts with negative balance.

The moral of the story? If it seems too good to be true, it probably is. Those who thought they could outsmart the system are now learning the hard way that “free money” can come with a hefty bill.

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Dwayne Cubbins
393 Posts

For nearly a decade, I've been deciphering the complexities of the tech world, with a particular passion for helping users navigate the ever-changing tech landscape. From crafting in-depth guides that unlock your phone's hidden potential to uncovering and explaining the latest bugs and glitches, I make sure you get the most out of your devices. And yes, you might occasionally find me ranting about some truly frustrating tech mishaps.

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