The viral Chase Bank ATM glitch was never a real technical error—it was a calculated scam exploiting how banks process check deposits. Social media videos on TikTok and Instagram showed users bragging about withdrawing large amounts of cash from Chase ATMs after depositing fake or altered checks, tricking some viewers into believing they’d found a “free money hack.”

How the Scam Worked

The so-called “glitch” was a form of check kiting, a type of bank fraud. Here’s the step-by-step method scammers used:

1. Fake or Altered Check Creation
   Scammers either printed counterfeit checks, stole real checks and altered the amounts, or used checks from accounts with insufficient funds.
2. ATM or Mobile Deposit
   The fake checks were deposited into their own Chase Bank accounts—often at ATMs during late hours or using mobile check deposit via the Chase app.
3. Immediate Withdrawal Before Verification
   Chase, like many banks, allows customers to withdraw a portion of deposited funds instantly as a courtesy while the check is still being verified. Scammers took advantage of this time gap, withdrawing cash at the ATM before the bank confirmed if the check was valid.
4. Multiple Transactions Across Locations
   Some fraudsters repeated the process across multiple Chase branches or ATMs in a short time, maximizing the amount taken before the fraud was detected.
5. Posting on Social Media
   Videos and step-by-step “tutorials” were shared on TikTok and Instagram, encouraging others to try it—often glamorizing the act with cash-counting clips.

Chase Bank’s Response

Chase quickly identified the suspicious transactions and confirmed there was no system glitch—just intentional fraud. The bank froze accounts, reversed fraudulent credits, and handed over transaction records, ATM surveillance footage, and account details to law enforcement.

A Chase spokesperson warned:

“This was not a glitch. It was fraud. Those who took part will be held accountable.”

Consequences for Participants

Many people who attempted the scam are now facing:

• Frozen bank accounts
• Debt demands for the withdrawn amount
• Lawsuits from Chase
• Potential criminal charges for bank fraud