Formal Complaint and Consumer Alert - Firefighters Community Credit Union (Cleveland, OH) From: Sharon Forrest, Member To: Firefighters Community Credit Union - Corporate Office Date: July 1, 2025 RE: Unauthorized Account Activity, Improper Fund Seizure, and Potential Consumer Law Violations I am a member of Firefighters Community Credit Union (FCCU) and I am writing to formally express my outrage at the unethical, deceptive, and potentially unlawful actions that have occurred with my accounts. What has happened to me is not just poor service -- it borders on financial abuse and demands immediate attention and accountability. What Happened: I was enrolled in overdraft protection through my FCCU checking account, allowing an overdraft up to $500. After withdrawing within that limit, a glitch in your system allowed ACH transactions to exceed that limit, overdrafting my account to nearly $800. This is not my error -- it is a system failure on your end. At the time, I had $625 in my savings account set aside for essential living expenses: food, electric, and water. Without my knowledge or permission, FCCU seized the entire balance, leaving me and my family without food or utilities for over a month. This action was taken without prior written notice, in violation of standard financial protocols and possibly federal regulations. Then, FCCU: Closed my checking account without notice, leaving me only with a savings account. Transferred the remaining overdraft ($80) into the savings account, again without my consent or any communication. Removed access to an active holiday loan account I still owe approximately $525 on. I cannot track this loan, view payment history, or get any clarity on the account status -- which appears intentionally misleading and obstructive. Legal & Regulatory Concerns: Unauthorized Transfers / Set-Offs Under the Electronic Fund Transfer Act (EFTA) and Regulation E, financial institutions must obtain authorization before debiting or transferring funds from a consumer's account -- especially from a savings account not designated for overdraft coverage. FCCU's actions may constitute a violation of federal law. Truth in Savings Act (TISA) The failure to properly disclose changes to my account status (closure of checking, movement of funds, hidden loan account) may violate the Truth in Savings Act, which mandates transparency in how financial institutions handle deposits, fees, and account structure. Fair Credit Billing Act (FCBA) The erasure of my holiday loan account while still holding me liable for the balance -- without access to a ledger or means to manage repayment -- may qualify as unfair billing or fraudulent accounting practice. Breach of Contract & Fiduciary Duty FCCU failed to communicate any of these actions in writing or verbally, despite my status as a member. As a credit union, you are expected to act in the best interests of your members. These actions amount to a breach of trust, poor ethics, and a complete disregard for financial hardship and transparency. Demands and Next Steps: Immediate written explanation of all transactions, including the overdraft breakdown, seizure of savings, account closures, and loan status. Restoration of access and visibility to my holiday loan account. A formal investigation into how FCCU's systems and staff failed to prevent this overdraft error and handled it with financial hostility. Refund or credit for funds that were taken in violation of EFTA guidelines. Filing Complaints With: National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) Ohio Attorney General's Office - Consumer Protection Division Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Better Business Bureau (BBB) This review will be publicly posted and shared across multiple consumer advocacy platforms. I will also be consulting legal counsel to determine whether a civil lawsuit is appropriate. To any current or potential members: Be warned. If FCCU can take your savings, close your accounts, and hide your loan information -- they will. This credit union has shown me zero accountability, zero compassion, and a total disregard for consumer protection laws. Sincerely, Sharon Forrest Cleveland, Ohio forrestsharon4@gmail.com 440-494-3325 read more

I had good experiences with FFCCU until last week. They are partners with my credit union in VA and I made a deposit at the ATM. Two hundred dollar bills. One of them was withdrawn the following day. I called and they said it was flagged because it looked counterfeit. I asked if I could have the $100 bill back but rep said since it was not my bank, they couldn't return it. She said they wouldn't be able to find that particular $100 bill. I said you definitely could since you must have put it aside, since it looked counterfeit. I figured they would be notifying the police. She said I would have to work with my credit union. So I had to sign a notarized affidavit and have it notarized online, which cost $25. I should also add that I called FFCCU twice and the second caller didn't know anything about it being flagged. Disappointed, exasperated and out $25. Hope my $100 is returned. read more

Called to talk to a loan officer about buying an investment property. Tonya answered the phone and said we don't do that here. Was not nice and very blunt, I still asked to speak someone and she said will I'm the one who takes the applications and we don't do that here. I asked again she said I'll transfer you and got disconnected. She did call back and apologized that she was new and I said why are you even discussing investment loans when you have no skills and that was the end of the call. She hung up and no call back this time. Already approved at cardinal credit union in a day. Please don't waste your time and Tonya should not be answering any calls period. read more

Terrible. I brought in a bank check, not a personal check not even a company check but a BANK CHECK. They said they had to put a hold on all but 200.00. How is that right? So I have to wait 2 days and go back. I have a disability so it is more than a little inconvenient. They are not the only babk in town. read more

The loan department of this place is absolutely terrible. Applied for a truck loan over the phone and man did I make a mistake! I applied was in touch with the person who originally took my information then was contacted by two other people who were obviously not communicating with the original person. Needless to say I had two different monthly costs for the purchase of one vehicle from two different people and on top of it this is supposed to be in my bank not the dealership, and they turn around and try to screw me for gap coverage ,transmission coverage, flat tire coverage etc. So after getting things sorted out so I thought, I eventually go ahead with the loan only to find out my payment comes out a week and a half after getting the truck and when I asked the loan officer when my first payment is it shows a month and a half down the road from when I originally had the money deducted from my account. Let's face it credit unions are not what they were back in the day. You're better off with a regular bank, besides that, the The loan department in this bank should be completely dismantled. Extremely rude to customers and no sense of what's going on. They obviously forget the customer is the reason why they have a job! read more

Very impressed with the service at this credit union! Everyone was very helpful and personable. This is also a great location in downtown Willoughby! read more

Great people work here. Even though they were training a new employee I was still in and out in a snap! Cool building too.