A viral Chase Bank glitch on TikTok that had people believing they could withdraw instant cash from fake checks was not a real bank error, but a dangerous form of fraud, according to Chase. The bank says the trend, which spread quickly online in late 2024, has left many people facing lawsuits and criminal investigations.

In August and September 2024, TikTok was flooded with videos claiming that Chase Bank’s ATM and mobile deposit system had a “glitch” that allowed users to deposit checks—sometimes fake or altered—and immediately withdraw the full amount without the usual waiting period.

What appeared to be a “free money hack” was, in fact, check fraud, also known as “check kiting.” This illegal scheme takes advantage of the short delay before a bank verifies if a check is real and backed by funds.

Chase Bank quickly responded, warning customers that anyone who tried the so-called glitch was committing fraud. The bank said it had fixed the issue and was working with law enforcement to track down offenders. Surveillance footage, transaction records, and account details were shared with investigators.

Several people who joined the trend are now facing lawsuits, with debts ranging from thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars. Chase stressed that “there was no glitch” — only people trying to game the system, and now paying the price.

Quote from Chase:

“This wasn’t a glitch — it was fraud, plain and simple,” the bank stated in a press release. “Those who participated are being held accountable.”

Here’s exactly how scammers pulled it off.