Complaint Review: Navy Federal Credit Union NFCU

This is a very simple RipOff Report to let those who are interested in conducting business with Navy Federal Credit Union (NFCU) or who are current members of NFCU, know some of the intentionally deceptive practices of this business.

In the years of experience I've had with NFCU, I have had nothing but consistant trouble, lying, and deception from their staff. I have also been PERSONALLY harassed (personal comments) from an employee at corporate headquarters.

Here are some of my experiences that I have well-documented:

(1)
WHAT WAS SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN:
I had 3 lines of credit (2 auto loans, a consolidation loan, and a credit card) with NFCU. Each account was co-signed by my ex-wife (wife at the time). When I filed for divorce, NFCU agreed to split the accounts into two separate accounts. The auto loans were to be refinanced in each of our names (her getting full responsibility for the loan on the car she drove, and the same for myself). The consolidation loan was to be split into two separate consolidation loans (with each loan being re-assigned to each of us individually). And the line of credit on the card was to be split and transffered between her new card and my existing card.

WHAT DID HAPPEN:
Everything except for the auto loans were done correctly, but they messed up the auto loans leaving her as a co-signers on my vehicle.

(2) When my ex-wife and I have physically separated and were divorced, NFCU continued to release my "latest" contact information to my ex-wife ... allowing her to stalk me. It got so bad that I had to sit in front of a judge to deal with restraining orders. I asked NFCU not to release this information as it was protected by Privacy Act. I reminded them that all account information was still entitled to her because she was on the account, but she longer was authorized to my personal information as she is not my wife and I am a separate member no different from anyone else. The continued to reject my request - so I intentionally gave them a false telephone number and got a PO Box.

(3) Whenever I tried to make payment arrangements with them, they would request a one-time payment for a specific account. 90% of the time or more, the wrong account was paid. They would take my money for a payment on a specified account and put it towards a different account. This threw off my budgeting and ultimately made my life a lot more hectic. I was also told by a corporate representative, "If you were a man you would pay your bills" which is obviously a judgement of character and completely out of line.

(4) Recently I was offered a refinance to get my ex-wife off of my loan. Obviously I jumped on this. They told me that if I made a payment today (which was a week ahead of my payment agreement) that they would have an answer for me by the end of the evening. After waiting through the end of business hours, the weekend, and COB Monday. I called to ask what was going on. They informed me that it was unable to go through. When I asked for the payment to be "stopped" so I could make my scheduled payment next week; they told me they couldn't stop it because my account was still past due.

(5) Because of their inability to work with me, they caused my checking account to be drawn negative and for me to incur a $34 overdraft fee. I contact them and asked them to at least reverse the payment and I would continue to make my normal scheduled payments on time. They would not. When the payment was processed, they put it through as an ACH and it was returned for insufficient funds. I still kept an OD fee. It is now 3 days later and they are AGAIN attempting to take money out of my account (unauthorized) and will yet again get me charged another $34 OD fee.

This organization has screwed with my personal life.

This organization has messed with my finances.

They are not professional. They are not honest with you.

Though some of their business may in fact be legitimate as a bank, they have earned a reputation with me (and many others that I know personally who have used them) as a dishonest business and ultimately. a RipOff.

Here is your report.

Sean
Odenton, Maryland
U.S.A.

EDitor's Suggestions on how to get your money back!

HERE IS WHAT RIP-OFF REPORT SUGGESTS YOU DO:

Go to your bank within 60 days of the charge, or as soon as you know about the charge, don't delay, and tell them that there has been fraudulent activity within your account. Explain that you wish to file a dispute, and demand that they assist you in accordance with Federal Regulation E.

According to the majority of victims interviewed by Rip-off Report, those who immediately called their banks to dispute the charges did not get very far. Many victims got the following responses from their banks: we could not do anything for you or you waited too long; it has been more than 60 days.

If the bank is says that you have waited too long, explain to them how you called their 800 number as soon as the charges were found, and were told by the bank that nothing could be done. Remind the bank that they failed to assist you properly at the 800 #, and instead, provided you with an inadequate explanation of your right to dispute. Tell the bank that it's their fault time has expired, and since they gave you the wrong info to begin with, they will just have to deal with it, take the loss and reverse the charges.

Tell them the truth; this was unauthorized and your account was NOT to be charged! Keep emphasizing how you never authorized anything! Direct them to the hundreds of victims reports that were filed on Rip-off Report.com. And if you're at the bank, walk them over to their computer and make them go to this site! If you are on the phone with them, tell them you will wait while they access this site! Either way, be persistent!

DO NOT TAKE NO FOR AN ANSWER!

Let them know nicely, that you were advised to Report them (the Bank) and this situation to the Banking Commission in your state. Since each state has a different name for the agency/controller over banks, find that name before you call or get to the bank so you can throw it in their face. The more knowledgeable you appear to be, the further you will get.

And just continue to demand the Federal Regulation E form! The bank CAN, MUST and WILL reverse the charge! But, you must be persistent; ask to speak to the supervisor or the area manager for all the branches in the state.

Let the bank personnel know you are meeting with the media later in the day, that you would much rather they do the right thing (as most other banks have) by looking at the complaints and immediately reversing the charge(s) to your account; no matter how long ago it was. Be sure to call the Media if necessary so you are telling the truth.

If you have to, be loud (but nice) in front of other customers. If you are just calling by phone, the above tactics should still work. The bank can easily fax or mail to you the Federal Regulation E dispute form.

CHARGES TO YOUR CREDIT CARD

If the charge was to your credit card (not debit card, check card, or checking account), contact the credit card company as soon as possible to request a dispute form. Consumers usually have a little longer to dispute fraudulent credit card charges (up to 6 months), but it is better to act right away. In this type of situation, credit card disputes are usually successful since fraudulent companies often won't contest the disputed charge. In rare cases, credit card companies will review disputes, but refuse to reverse the charges. If this occurs, complain to a manager and let them know you will be filing a report here.

Remember Don't let them get away with it! Make sure they make the Rip-off Report .. The more Reports filed on a Company or individual, the more likely it is that the authorities, media and attorneys will want to take action.

And good luck Let us know how you do!

ED Magedson Founder, Rip-off Report.com & Author of www.ripoffrevenge.com
EDitor@RipoffReport.com
badbusinessbureau.com
www.ripoffreport.com

Don't let them get away with it.
Make sure they make the Rip-off Report!

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CLICK HERE to read about Credit Card Scams... find out how to get your money back. *Rip-off Report Investigation provides valuable information.