San Diego County Credit Union

I. Stopped by the SDCCU booth at the O.B. Street Fair. I don’t even know why. I met Raul Torres, saw a flyer on auto refinancing loans and chatted him up a bit. Got my free tote bag to place my assorted Street Fair booty in, and told him I’d follow up Monday.
I spoke to Raul on the phone today, got some basic projections and advice on which documents to bring. I toodled on into the Point Loma branch. The security guard lady was friendly and even held the door for me. I signed in with the pleasant receptionist and met with Raul. I didn’t have an appointment so I had a short wait, but there’s a good coffee house next door. It took little more than a half an hour to get approved for a loan at 1.99% interest, open a free checking and savings account with only a minimum of $ 26 required, and get my ATM card.
I hope the rest of my experiences with this branch are as great as the first. Thanks, Raul!

Oh my, I was looking for something else on Unilocal when I spotted these reviews and ratings. I LOVE this credit union! I’ve been a member for over 10 years, and mostly go to the Pt. Loma branch. They have been helpful with last minute requests, patient with multiple requests/​questions, friendly and parking is easy. They don’t charge outrageous fees like BOA. Not sure what’s up with all of the negative reviews– certainly not my experience!

I remember coming the this branch w/​out an appointment and opening a check/​savings account. It only took 30 to 45min tops. I wish I could remember who helped me with that but she really set the tone on how SDCCU treats their customers.
People need to get real. They go into a bank and expecting the world. I have never had a problem with a teller nor with a manager.
Last year I was a victim of identity theft and needed a new debit card and a new account number and it was done all in one visit. I went in to the La Mesa Branch and they took care of me.
Hour of operation are reasonable. I never really had to call their customer service and when I do they seem very helpful. I do have to admit there is a little bit of a wait. Stop getting upset and get your lazy butt to a branch and speak with someone. Now you complain about how far it is for a branch? Get a hybrid.
You’re awesome SDCCU, I convinced 6 of my friends, including my family to switch and they love it. Keep doing what you’re doing!

I don’t even know where to begin. First off, this review is for SDCCU in general. Not many branches, screwed up hours of operation, the worst call experiences ever, I’ve been locked out of my account 3 times and i have to call them and wait 20 minutes. The call center is only open when the bank is open. Their overdraft charges are stupid high. In general, don’t bank with them.

I went in here the other day to order a debit card and make a deposit. I simply asked my teller, Beverly, if there was a ATM in my neighborhood in OB. She simply referred me to the app on my phone. I advised her I didn’t have my phone and asked her to look it up for me so I would know. It’s about a 15 minute drive to this branch from my house and it would be a lot easier for me if I had a nearby ATM. She refused to look it up for me and was obviously unhelpful. I then walked over to Sarah and she was working at the desk near the door. She took the time to look up a list of ATMS and print out 10+ pages for me. I was grateful that she tried to help me but I have a smartphone and told her I would simply like to know if there was one near my house. I don’t believe that the people that work here like their jobs much. That’s the only things I can think of because I was extremely nice to both these ladies and they both weren’t willing to look a simple ATM location up for me…

I used to be the biggest advocate of Credit Unions but after banking with SDCCU for 8 months I am so over it! Here are a few incidents that may want your to think twice about giving your money to SDCCU…
1. Within the 8 months my husband and I opened a new account we had our debit cards compromise 3 times! YES 3! and never did my husband and I order anything online with our SDCC card. Each time it was a HUGE pain to get a new card and it made me wonder about their security.
2. Upon signing up for our account we ordered checks — 4 months later no checks, no notice. When we called the bank to inquire about where our checks were the bank notified us that we never ordered checks!?! WHAT? REALLY?
3. We signed up for a credit card and never received notice as to whether we were accepted — So where did that application go when we opened our account?
4. I made a deposit at their kiosk on Balboa Ave. I deposited $ 800. After I made my deposit the bank ATM went down and cancelled my transaction and didn’t give me a receipt. This became a problem when filing a claim. After pleading with the bank I was able to file a claim and 30 days later I received my money. I couldn’t believe they took that long, especially since it was a deposit into the ATM — wouldn’t they see their machine total would have been $ 800 over? Nonetheless, my $ 800 was released to AFTER 30+ days — which was hugely inconvenient! But so glad I got my money back. Shortly after this incident I closed my account. I didn’t want to risk my money with a bank that had trouble keeping track of the small things such as ordering checks and credit card applications AND keeping track of my MONEY!
I decided to go back to Bank of America. I hate doing that but I didn’t have much of a choice. If anyone can recommend a GREAT credit union in San Diego please contact me.

I have to leave the complaint here since there is no listing for SDCCU Headquarters. I am complaining about their Rewards program and how they continually rip people off by not paying out the Rewards you earned and if you complain they claim you didn’t make the purchase when the proof is right there in your banking records. They have claimed you have to use it as a debit and another time the exact opposite, must be a credit purchase but that is not how their website advertised it, just use your SDCCU Visa Check/​debit card. The customer service is very bad and only available via email, and when I request a supervisor to contact me via phone, no one calls. I am going to be filing complaints with state and federal regulators for the false advertising of this program and seeking to find people willing to get a Class lawsuit because I am sure it is happening to other people.

I am pretty disappointed because I used to be the biggest advocate for this credit union. Now, I’m not too sure anymore. This is due to a bad experience with a new teller; however, I’ve been feeling this way for the past few years. The thing is that SDCCU has gotten too big for its britches. They used to be the neighborhood credit union that you can depend on. Now, they want to charge you for everything and treat you like just another number.
I came in last week (April 2014) with a commission check from my current employer. The teller’s name was Eric and he was a newer teller. I wanted to make a large deposit into my IRA Retirement Savings account. Instead of taking my money, he wanted to place a 2-​day hold on the funds. Funny because the money was going into a retirement fund held by SDCCU. Furthermore, the Retirement Acct had more than the amount of the check. I immediately asked to speak to the manager. After speaking to the manager, Eric said they would make a one-​time exception in this case. OK fine– take the deposit into your institution.
When the IRA contribution was made, I asked to have the remaining funds into a cashier’s check. I hinted to Eric that I am using the funds to purchase a house. (HELLO! REAL ESTATE LOAN!)
This time, the teller wanted to charge me $ 5 because I didn’t have the minimum in my checking account although there was plenty in my retirement funds. I pointed to the retirement account but he did not seem to care. His reply was, «I already made you one exception on the 2-​day hold, I can’t make another one on the cashier’s check.»
What happened to common sense? If I was a shopper, this would be a negative five encounter. Not only did the teller not use my name, or ask me what else he can do for me, he never tried to cross-​sell me on the real estate loan. His main objective was to make sure he said no to everything and make this the worse encounter I’ve ever had with a credit union.
I won’t be coming back here anytime soon.

the hours suck!!! but goo bank

SDCCU does not protect it’s members. I had $ 3,995 stolen from my account and reported it immediately. The money was taken by a company I had cancelled their service, so it wasn’t identity theft. SDCCU initiated an investigation and never once contacted me for what transpired. The company, a group of professional scammers out of Las Vegas, NV and now Cheyenne, WY, SEO Worldwide, somehow convinced SDCCU they were legitimate and SDCCU found in favor of the fraudulent company. Anyone can look up SEO Worldwide on
to read how many people they’ve hurt. The owners of the company, Rob & Kathy Raskin, have to change the name of their company periodically to stay ahead of the law. Rob Raskin was found guilty of embezzling from his own employees! These are bad people and SDCCU did NOT protect one of it’s members — ME. I will NEVER bank here again.

I have no issue at all with this branch, which is why I give SDCCU three stars. Tellers and managers are all very friendly and strive to make your time in the bank as short as possible. That’s what I want when I’m at the bank! I also love that if you need to replace your credit card you can walk into a branch and get a new one right now. That is such a great convenience, especially when you are trying to replace your card due to fraud.
My complaint is that SDCCU clearly does not want it’s members calling them. Ever. For any reason. It’s very difficult to get a phone number and once you do it’s a wild goose chase through their system of asking what you want over and over. Eventually you do get to where you need to be, but I’ve had to hang up more than once because I didn’t have any more time to spend on the phone. I’ve also ended up so messed up going through their system (usually because I had to take care of something else at the same time that I had to listen to yet another menu) that I’ve had to hang up and START OVER! It’s phone purgatory!
We’ve also had the issue of being in Europe, which we did let them know about, and having them put a hold on our cards… which left us only using cash. This is very difficult to fix while you are gone because you are obviously NOT using your home phone, and they frown on anyone who can’t use their home phone to fix credit card issues while on vacation. I get it, it’s to protect us, but at that point you don’t have an option! The same thing happened when we were in Hawaii… and having it happen a second time was the end of my patience. SDCCU really needs to work on this. Somehow the word that you are going to be charging in an unusual city doesn’t get to the right people.

I am on vacation and although I am not a member of this bank, I do belong to a credit union in another city. I had just used the ATM and walked into the branch to make some change from the money I had just withdrawn. I asked the courtesy clerk if it was okay if I could just make change although I am not a member of this particular credit union. She was very sweet and said no problem. Well, I got to the teller and I told the guy I wasn’t a member of this credit union but just wanted to get change for a $ 20 and he said absolutely no. I just looked at him and I asked if they could extend the courtesy and he again said no, not unless I was a member. You’d think I had asked him to part the Red Sea? I explained that I was a member of a different credit union and am visiting SD but he was steadfast and adamant that it was too much to ask and thus I left disappointed at the crappy customer service and lack of courtesy. Good thing Ralph’s was right across and they happily gave me change without any B.S. They were also much more customer service oriented and very professional and understanding. I even told the manager and cashier at Ralph’s about my experience at the SDCCU and they said they would happily change the $ 20. I am glad that I am not a member of such an intolerant and rude establishment. Perhaps professionalism is not valued at SDCCD. I will never step foot there again and will happily share my crappy experience at SDCCU with my credit union so that they never treat any person, customer or not, this way.

By far the best «bank» or credit union in San Diego. They offer amazing online banking features including check deposit via smartphone. I came to SDCCU about two years ago from Chase and I wish I had jumped ship a lot sooner. Staff is very friendly and helpful, when you call the 1 – 800 number you talk to people that are actually in the same country as you. If you lose your bank card, you can walk right in and get a new one. I’m very happy with SDCCU and glad that I know my money is staying in San Diego.

I switched from chase to SDCCU about 6 months ago and I have to say, I have no complaints :)
In fact, I must commend and rave about one super friendly and professional gal whom works at the point loma location named, Latasha Toliver.
Excellent Customer Service my dear & carried out with a genuine smile :)
Thank you Latasha

I’ve been a customer of SDCCU for over a year now. I tried to apply for an auto loan yesterday since I was involved in a bad auto accident which totaled my car. I didn’t have a car in mind, I was just wanting to get pre-​approved with a dollar amount so I have an idea of what to look for. I applied for $ 20k and ask if this wasn’t acceptable will they approve us for a lesser amount. The guy on the phone said that they would provide us a counter offer if the original amount wasn’t approved. This year was a rough year for my husband and I. We both changed employers this year and sold our house (out-​of-​state) in a short-​sale. We both maintained steady employment for over four years before this. I was laid off from my job after the facility was closed and my husband was transferred here to CA which forced the short sale We already rebounded from the short sale and both our credit scores was well over 700. Other than that we had no other skeletons in our closet and have very little debt with solid incomes. SDCCU said they would call back in a hour. After two hours I called them. We were flat out denied due to short sale of the house and length of employment. There was no counter offer, nothing. To sum it up they said I was out of luck for loans for the next two years due to the short sale. They did not consider anything else We immediately went to another credit union I had a credit card with for over five years and was approved. As of this morning my new car is sitting in my driveway.
A few weeks ago I helped my teenage daughter open her own savings account at SDCCU. They wanted to pull my credit report to open the account. They pulled my report when I initially opened a checking/​savings account which I can completely understand but they insisted on pulling my report again to open a savings account for my own kid. I refused to have it pulled and was getting very upset over it. At the last minute they came back and said since my prior report is still within a certain time period they won’t need to pull another report. We almost walked out that day.
I’m not one to jump and change banks but this was the final straw for me with SDCCU.

Horrible customer service. This bank is a large bank posing as a community bank. I’ve had my card locked out and been barred from my own money when trying to use my card in the evening. I couldn’t even talk to customer service because they are only open 9am-​5pm weekdays. They have NO 24HR 800 number you can call if you are having problems. In addition, I’ve received so many BS overdraft charges that conveniently happen over the weekend when there is absolutely nothing I can do about it. I’ve tried their mobile deposit banking to try to deposit my checks with my smart phone… doesn’t work. I will be canceling my service with them soon. Stay away from this bank.

Excellent service.

I recently switched over from Bank of America to SDCCU and have been very impressed with their customer service. The lady who helped me was very personable, answered all my questions and set me up with everything I needed in one consultation. I feel very good about the switch and look forward to continuing my banking experience with them.

Super friendly service at this branch. I think they got an award for best service or something this year. Nice that they have safe deposit boxes too. Not all credit unions do.