Complaints

This profile includes complaints for Whatcom Educational Credit Union's headquarters and its corporate-owned locations. To view all corporate locations, see Find Local Branches.

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  Whatcom Educational Credit Union

  600 E Holly St Bellingham, WA 98225-4711

  
• 

  Whatcom Educational Credit Union

  PO Box 9750 Bellingham, WA 98227-9750

  

The complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:05/30/2024

  Type:Billing Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  I WOULD LIKE THE CREDITOR TO REMOVE THIS CHARGE OFF FROM MY CREDIT REPORT. CHARGE-OFF DEBT IS TAXABLE INCOME AND CAN NO LONGER REPORT TO A CONSUMERS PROFILE VIOLATING 15 USC 1681 EB.

  

  Business Response

  Date: 06/05/2024

  Hello, 

  We can understand your frustration but according to Fair Credit Reporting Act we are required to report charge offs for seven years from the date of charge off.

  If you'd like to get further clarification, we'd be happy to hop on a call with you to discuss. 

• Initial Complaint

  Date:02/15/2024

  Type:Order Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  I am a disabled veteran struggling to make ends meet after dealing with a very nasty divorce. I bought the car at $18000 USD and I am down to $2000 USD. I have two small children to care for so things are really tight financially. I asked this institution if I could work out another payment plan for the remaining balance and I was informed that they were no longer willing to work with me and and that the loan was already charged off. The car was out for repossession without my knowledge or proper notification. I would like the institution to allow me to pay 500 a month for the remaining balance. My only argument is that times are hard and I am willing to pay the car off and I am currently unable to finance another car because of my financial situation. This is how I provide for my 2 small children.

  

  Business Response

  Date: 02/29/2024

  We understand that financial difficulties can be incredibly challenging and stressful, and we want to express our empathy for the situation this member has been facing with their loan since January of 2022. Since that time, we have noticed the repeated instances of delinquency, as well as the efforts they have made to stay in touch with us, even though there have been periods of unresponsiveness.
  

  We've made several attempts to assist this member along the way:
  -Initially, we offered loan extensions in January and February of 2022 when they first informed us of their financial hardship. We continued our efforts to reach out to this member until November 2022 when the vehicle was repossessed for the first time.
  -After the repossession, we worked with this member on the redemption process, during which they expressed confidence in resuming payments without issue. We appreciated their positive feedback about our understanding and assistance during this process.
  -Despite our efforts, there were further delinquency issues, but we continued to communicate with them and provided a loan extension in May 2023 as per their request.
  -We later offered a Temporary Debt Restructuring (TDR) to lower their payments, but unfortunately, there were difficulties in maintaining the agreed-upon terms.
  Despite these challenges, we've tried to work with them and even approved exceptions to policy in an effort to find a resolution.
  We attempted to be as clear as possible with this member that the current arrangement is the final exception we can make. It's crucial to keep to this modified agreement to avoid further consequences, including surrendering the vehicle or potential expulsion from the credit union.
  We genuinely hope to find a solution that works for both parties, and we appreciate this member expressing intention to pay off the loan in full on March 1st.

  If there's anything else we can do to support this member during this time, please don't hesitate to let us know.

  Customer Answer

  Date: 02/29/2024

   
  Complaint: 21297195
  
  I am rejecting this response because: I am willing to make monthly payments but I am currently unwilling to pay the car off in full. There are other bills and responsibilities I have to care for and I am only on a fixed income 
  
  Sincerely,
  
  *********************************

• Initial Complaint

  Date:02/07/2024

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  We had opened a joint chequing account with ********************** my husband and I. His pay gets deposited every two weeks. In the beginning all was well with the account, we were never in overdraft. Then out of the blue and apparently I had authorized them to add a ******** over draft to our account and supposedly knew that they were going to be charging $***** per item they have allowed to go through our account!Upon going to a their Bellingham location near Sunset Blvd. I had mentioned to the teller that my husband and I are concerned that we did not authorize WECU to add a ******** overdraft which charges ***** per transaction overdrawn! She headed to their printer, comes back to the wicket and says "Yes you did authorize it. There's your signature and initial". I was shocked! I said to her, no I did not request it and neither did my husband. She went on to point out my supposedly "electronic signature" She commented, there's your electronic signature and Initial! I was adamant telling her there is no way I would of authorized this. I have requested that we be reimbursed for these charges as well as chargebacks that were put back into the account that we have not been reimbursed for them overdrawing our account.I have filed a complaint with the *********************************************** where WECU responded only to blame us and not themselves for wrong doing. I have chosen not to reply to them as it seems they think they are in the right and we are in the wrong.I am demanding the total amount of overdrawn charges to be paid back and deposited into our account and the Priviledge Pay to be removed from our account immediately.My husband's pay goes into our account and ********************** takes every cent of it due to the amount they are charging to overdraw at the rate of $***** This has been ongoing for over three months and more. They are to reverse the total amount from the beginning to this present day.We want our money back immediately.

  

  Business Response

  Date: 02/27/2024

  See Attached 

  Customer Answer

  Date: 02/27/2024

   
  Complaint: 21257765
  
  I am rejecting this response because:

  WECU is running a fraudulent organization. According to them, I had signed an agreement to have them charge me ***** PER transaction allowing them to overdraw our account, that I supposedly agreed to!

  1. Supposedly, I signed the document October 24-2022. I guarantee you that is NOT my signature. I did not sign that document. Period.
  

  2. Second document, has no signature and is dated one year later and a month later than the previous document!

  Your letter is nothing but a bunch of lies and fraudulent. How dare you accuse me of signing a document when that is NOT my signature. You are scamming your customers left, right and centre!

  You have a very poor anti-fraud system as it is apparent in the above documents.

  WE WANT OUR MONEY BACK THAT YOU HAVE STOLEN and have TRIED to  make it look legal.

  I don't care about what you have reimbursed us. WE want all of it back. From October 2022 to present day.

   

  
  Sincerely,
  
  *************************

  Customer Answer

  Date: 02/28/2024

  WECU has now removed "Priviledge Pay" on February 22, or 23rd (according to the branch manager in ******) from our account without reimbursement of the amount we have requested in the amount of ******** back into our account.

   

  Yesterday, I received an email and a phone call claiming our account is in arrears of 40 days! I was flabbergasted by this accusation! I contacted them and now they claim that if the account is positive then goes negative, they demand the amount to be paid immediately! They are making up their policies and procedures as this conflict goes on.

   

  I asked if that were the case why did they not notify us immediately rather than allowing this to go on and on. I guarantee you, I did not sign any forms to authorize them to add "Priviledge Pay" to our account. Every two weeks, my husband's pay is deposited into the account.

   

  A deposit went in on February 15th, 2024 which covered the Priviledge Pay which swallows my husband's pay cheque. We then need to pay rent, buy food and pay bills. We then go into the same cycle with these people. (Please attached image)

   

  We want our money back into our account as requested in our dispute.

   

  Regards,

  *************************

• Initial Complaint

  Date:01/29/2024

  Type:Order Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  I ************************* bought a jeep srt in September I bought it from ******************* in ****** ********** and my lender for the loan is WECU, ******************* told me I need proof of insurance to drive it off the lot I got basic insurance from safeco to please ******************* and wasnt informed that my insurance didnt meet their lenders requirements until a month later that my insurance doesnt meet their standards I paid for insurance that meets their requirements and now Im told I have to pay **** for the months I didnt have their requirements Im requesting your help I had no accidents and incidents I dont know why theyre trying to squeeze **** out of me when I wasnt informed I didnt have the required insurance I shouldnt have even been able to drive off of the lot if my insurance didnt meet their lenders requirements

  

  Business Response

  Date: 02/07/2024

  At the time of purchase ************************* provided proof of insurance to the dealership, but it didnt detail full coverage. As the member stated, it was only basic coverage and did not have the required comprehensive and collision coverages. WECU was also missing as the lienholder.  Because of this, when the policy was verified by State National, it was considered impaired. The member eventually updated their coverage, but there remains a lapse of acceptable insurance at the start of their loan from 09/10/23 to 12/28/23.  The pending charge is $2,320.00.
  
  State National made numerous attempts to collect acceptable insurance information.  Three text messages to ************ , five emails to *********************** four letters (attached) to ************************************************* were sent before SN received acceptable coverage.  All the contact information used to reach out to the member (*******) matches what the member supplied for this dispute. None of the letters sent have been returned as undeliverable. Communications continue to go out to the member, in attempt to resolve the lapse before its charged.
  
  All three of the missing insurance requirements are made clear in the Agreement to ***************** document that the member signed when purchasing the vehicle.  The Welcome Letter and Retail Installment Contract contains this information as well.  All documents are attached for reference.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:06/27/2023

  Type:Billing Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  On April 18th of this year I decided to open up a WECU Blue rewards checking account due to the fact that I would get a $250.00 dollar bonus if certain requirements were met. I have completed all nessasary requirements to get the bonus, but when I called to ask about it, I was told I didn't qualify because I have a loan from them. Nobody made me aware of that when I decided to open the account and I would like my bonus.

  

  Business Response

  Date: 06/28/2023

  After reviewing this issue, we have decided to honor the member's request and the funds will be posted to the member's account by the end of the business day.

  While ***** did not technically qualify for the offer due to the technicalities of our disclosures, we want to honor his request to maintain a good relationship. 

  The disclosures were as follows:

  *Offer is available for a limited time to qualifying individuals who have not been a member in the last twelve (12) months. Requirements to receive the $250 bonus: open a new True Blue Rewards account, set up and receive a direct deposit of $100 or more into that new account within sixty (60) days of account opening. Bonus will be deposited into the account on day 61, if requirements are met. You are responsible for any taxes due on the value of the bonus offer. We will report the bonus to tax authorities as required. Please consult a tax advisor, WECU does not provide tax advice. Only tax-reporting account owners are eligible. Foreign members without tax identification numbers are not eligible. One bonus per person. Offer expires May 31, 2023. WECU may change or discontinue this offer without notice.

  ***** obtained a personal loan with WECU on 3/20/23, which made him ineligible for the new member offer as it related to the True Blue Rewards account.

  Again, we're happy to honor this request and look forward to serving ***** in the future. 
  
  
  
  

• Initial Complaint

  Date:09/16/2022

  Type:Billing Issues
  Status:

  ResolvedMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  On 7/31/2022 I made a mobile deposit of a cashier's ***** for $569.59 from an *** with Hawaii USA FCU that I had recently closed. The ***** was supposed to be deposited straight into my *** account at WECU, but instead it was sent to my *****ing account. Apparently there is a bug in the WECU mobile app that doesn't let you deposit into your *** account even though you have it selected. It instead puts it into your *****ing account. This is not good for an *** ***** since that will count as an early withdrawal. I notified WECU of the error and an employee (*******************) tried to resolve it for me, but in the end he said that it was too late and that I would have to eat the fee for an early disbursement. I told him that that wasn't fair since it wasn't my fault and that they should reimburse me for the fee. WECU never got back to me.

  

  Business Response

  Date: 10/03/2022

  After an internal discussion we have determined that the best course of action is to re-fund the fee for this long-term member. We will reach out to the member directly. 

  Customer Answer

  Date: 10/03/2022

   
  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  ******************************