Consumer complaint received 2024-02-21
Product: Checking or savings account — Checking account
Issue: Managing an account — Problem accessing account
Company: AMERICA FIRST FEDERAL CREDIT UNION (UT)

Hello, my name is XXXX XXXX, a native of Utah and father to my cherished kiddo XXXX XXXX. I recently broke up with my fianc and ownership of the money in our joint bank account has come into question. This complaint is relevant to the local America First Credit Union in XXXX XXXX, UT and agents working for the national America First Credit Union customer service line withholding the truth from both me and law enforcement. This matter has led to an arrest warrant in my name, making this situation both serious and grave. I need to truth to come out to protect myself and my child. I have tried many times to resolve this on my own to no avail. Please help us, as I have little to no power within the banking industry, regardless of the proof I have to defend myself. 

I had a joint checking account with my former fianc, XXXX XXXX, set up at America First Credit Union for around 7 years now. While XXXX was living with me ( for the past XXXX years ) we agreed that she would put {$400.00} a month into our joint account in lieu of her paying me rent. We both 'owned ', so to speak, the money in our joint account. 

This account was set up for us to purchase a house together and pay for joint expenses relevant to our relationship and our daughter XXXX. My main checking account was set up at XXXX XXXX, so we linked our America First joint account to my XXXX XXXX checking account as a " Bill Pay '' for transferring money. I did my best as a loving partner and paid for most of our relationship bills. After I asked her to move out and we separated, her car quit working and needed repair. I paid {$2500.00} to rebuild her engine and {$1000.00} for new tires. She was going to be driving our daughter ; I had to be sure the vehicle was safe. She also owed me over {$500.00} for her share of our daughter 's miscellaneous expenses, such as drama club, dance, and therapy. She agreed before I paid for these expenses that she would pay me back. 

We tried to reconcile our relationship a few times, and when XXXX thought we were getting back together I asked her about the money she owed me, and she told me to take it out of our joint checking account. I did exactly that, I had several transfers over a month. When our reconciliation did not work out, XXXX got upset and is now trying to have me charged criminally for stealing her money and fraudulently tying our bank accounts together. I am a simple and decent man. I do not have fancy things or live a lavish lifestyle. I had a friend help me write this complaint because I do not do well with the written word. I go to work every day, I come home and care for my elderly mother, and I dote on my wonderful daughter. I made some poor decisions when I was younger, but at XXXX XXXX XXXX all I care about is being a good son, father, and friend. 

From where I stand this feels like XXXX is upset with me, so she is trying to hurt me regardless of the consequences. She somehow had me removed unilaterally from our joint account, had the money I paid myself reversed, telling the bank they were fraudulent, and told the police I was never on the account to begin with. America First is telling me they are charging me for criminal fraud. After contacting XXXX XXXX, they said nothing has been done fraudulently and everything looked fine. But, the first agent I spoke to said that this is not a typical money reversal, and something was not making sense. They transferred me to someone who was most unhelpful and now no one at either bank will help me. 

Honestly, I am dumbfounded at how this has escalated because I would never have been able to transfer the money if I did not have access to our account, and I have documentation to back up these facts. I am not an expert at the law, but this feels like a civil case, not a criminal one. Either way, someone at this bank needs to be held accountable for whatever mistake or mistakes were made and release me from the charges they have against me.