Consumer complaint received 2023-09-21
Company: SAN DIEGO COUNTY CREDIT UNION
State: CA
Product: Checking or savings account
Sub-product: Checking account
Issue: Problem caused by your funds being low
Sub-issue: Overdrafts and overdraft fees

Complaint:
On or about XX/XX/2023, the San Diego County Creit Union ( SDCCU ) charged me over {$1200.00} in administrative fees regarding an overdraft problem on my account edning in XXXX. There were over XXXX fees largely dealing with multiple credit card withdrawal attempts in succession. The Bank would not let me use the checking account until the administrative fees were paid first ; causing further cash flow problems and overdrafts. The Assitant Bank Manger ( A.M. ) removed 3 of the 30-35 fees, but indicated that I would have to pay the rest. I immediately appealed it on the spot, but was told that I would have to escalate to the bank manager ( B.M. ) who would not be in for several days. I asked if someone else in the adminsitrative heirarchy could help ; she denied claiming that she had been a bank manager for over 20 years. I was clear that the Bank should expect litigation based on her behavior, a lack of judgement and fund of knowlege ; not to menion frank negligence, bad faith, and sicrimination. I mentioned that federal regulations are cracking down on the abuse of consumers by such administrative meneuvers and that there should not be a jury in the world who would side on over XXXX in fees being charged simultaneously before being able to use the account. The Bank should have been aware of the problem and contacted me since it had apprently been giong on for several weeks. I started to mention the NCUA and CFPB but was informed that the bank XXXX governed by the NCUA. Clearly, for credit unions with over XXXX XXXX dollars in assets, the CFPB regulations are controlling. .A " reasonable person '' standard applies since I could not have possibly forseen the situation or the aftermath of the Banks 's behavior. 
The A.M.s demeanor, tone of voice, and psoturing was abusive, particualrly since I was visibly shaking and I just turned XXXX, at least 20 of those years banking with SDCCU. I consider this a form of elder abuse on top of the bad faith and negligence expressed by the Banks behavior. 

The next day I came in to the Bank and requested that a different bank employee rather than she or her subordinate, be present to witness any conversations, since I believed I had placed stop payments on the account the day before ; I was informed that was not the case because I was concerned about the stop payment fees. Although the initial incident also involved one of the A.M.s subordinates, I requested that an indpendent employee witness the interaction. The XXXX exclaimed that she could not spare a bank employee for this purpose. I remained calmly in the waiting area for about half an hour and no more than 3-4 customers were observed ; the Bank had about 7-8 employees there. I videotaped the interactions, and indicated that I was doing so ; there were no objections. Then I held the phone up to the XXXX and insisted on my right to due process. She called one of the majority of employees simply doing nothing but gossiping, to witness the interaction. I thought I placed stop payments the previous day, but was informed that I was too worried about the additional fees. I specifically demanded that stop payments be placed ; copies of the stop payments were given to me. I indicated to the Asst. Manager, that she had been very unprofessional and that Im XXXX XXXX XXXX and was visibly shaking and my voice was cracking indicating distress. I also infomred her that I overheard at least one employee spaking about the indicent from over 20 feet away, and that this was a violation of the banking confidentiality requirements. Allthough upset, I was respectful and professional in my interactions. As a XXXX XXXX and XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Ive seen it all and attempted to keep my composure to the fullest extent possible. The XXXX indicated that she could call another branch to take care of me. I responded that I had been with the Branch for over 20 years and insisted that she and her subordinates deal with me in professional and respectful manner at that Branch.

I went to the Bank the following Monday and indicated to the B.M. that I should not have been charged such exhorbitant administrative fees and I detailed some of the abusive behaior of her staff. I had full clinical days the rest of the week. The fees reamin on that account. I am exhausting administrative remedies by this complaint and will proceed wqith litigation accordingly. The extreme negligence and bad faith will not support the Banks immunity on the federal or state levels. The agent for service of proceess is XXXX XXXX according to corporate records. SDCCU is allegedly voted San Diego Countys top credit union although they are frequently writing to their own customers to remind them to coninue voting them the best. If that is true, SDCCU should be prepared for XXXX and XXXX reviews documenitng the behavior so that other consumers do not face, not only the exhorbitant adminsitrative fees, but also be protected from the Banks unprofefssional and frankly cruel behavior in this case.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation