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This summer, JPMorgan Chase’s ATM systems suffered a glitch that allowed people to withdraw money they weren’t entitled to. The issue quickly went viral on TikTok, with some users exploiting the “infinite money glitch” to take out large sums. Now, JPMorgan is taking action, suing individuals to reclaim over $661,000 in federal courts in Texas, California, and Florida.
The lawsuits began in October after videos of the ATM glitch spread on social media. People who took advantage of the glitch deposited fake checks and withdrew funds before the bank could detect the fraud. According to a bank spokesperson, “depositing a fraudulent check and withdrawing the funds…is fraud, plain and simple.”
One of the cases involves Timipah Ikemi from Texas, who allegedly withdrew almost $300,000 with the help of an accomplice. Another lawsuit in California targets Micah Reed, who is accused of taking out $80,000. Two companies in Miami, In and Out Appliances LLC and Riskboss Musiq LLC, are also being sued, with amounts ranging from $80,000 to $141,000 withdrawn before the glitch was fixed.
Drew Pusateri, a spokesperson for JPMorgan, stated, “Fraud is a crime that impacts everyone and undermines trust in the banking system.” The bank is cooperating with law enforcement to address the issue and ensure that those involved face consequences.
Chase is currently trying to recover over $661,000. This includes the withdrawn funds, interest, overdraft fees, and legal costs.
This “infinite money glitch” isn’t the first time social media trends have encouraged risky financial actions with real consequences. In 2023, a similar glitch at the Bank of Ireland led to customers withdrawing funds they didn’t have, resulting in legal actions and bank penalties. As JPMorgan’s case unfolds, it highlights a growing risk from social media trends that promote risky or even illegal financial actions.
This situation shows how quickly an online “hack” can become a legal issue. Chase has warned that, despite viral trends, this kind of activity is illegal. “Regardless of what you see online, depositing a fraudulent check and withdrawing the funds from your account is fraud, plain and simple,” a spokesperson stated.
