Tulsa Couple Sues Fowler Ford and Truity Federal Credit Union Over Auto Loan Fraud

Tulsa, OK — July 2025

A Tulsa County couple, Christopher and Melody Sheldon, have filed a lawsuit against Fowler Ford, Inc. and Truity Federal Credit Union, alleging a disturbing scheme involving forged signatures, fraudulent auto loan documents, theft of a $7,500 cash down payment and deceptive sales practices.

According to the lawsuit filed in Tulsa County District Court, Christopher Sheldon purchased a 2019 GMC Acadia from Fowler Ford on December 7, 2024 for his wife, Melody. They negotiated a deal with a down payment of $7,500 and agreed to monthly payments of no more than $249. But things soon took a dramatic turn.

Alleged Forgery and Double-Dealing

The Sheldons claim they signed a Retail Installment Sales Contract (RISC) at Fowler Ford with terms they clearly understood and accepted. However, weeks later, they discovered Fowler Ford had allegedly created a second RISC with worse terms — including a higher interest rate and higher monthly payments — and forged Mr. Sheldon’s signature on it.

The lawsuit states the second contract carried an interest rate of 10.49% instead of 8.49%, increasing the total cost of credit by thousands of dollars. The Sheldons insist they never signed this version and that the signatures on the December 27, 2024 contract were falsified.

Theft of the Down Payment

Even more troubling, the couple alleges that Fowler Ford staff claimed they had “lost” the $7,500 down payment — money they say was physically handed over and counted by the finance manager on the day of the deal. When the Sheldons followed up, they received conflicting stories: at one point, Fowler Ford staff said they found the money in the wrong account; later, they claimed they had called the police on their own employee for allegedly stealing the cash.

Collection Efforts Continue

Despite being notified by the Sheldons and their lawyers about the forged contract, Truity Federal Credit Union — which took over the loan from Fowler Ford — has continued trying to collect payments under the disputed terms. The Sheldons have refused to pay, arguing that to do so would be agreeing to a contract they never signed.

Out of frustration, the couple has parked the GMC Acadia and are no longer driving it, claiming they cannot title the vehicle or make payments under fraudulent and unauthorized loan terms.

The Lawsuit’s Claims

The complaint filed by the Sheldons alleges the following:

✅ Violations of the Oklahoma Consumer Credit Code
✅ Fraud and constructive fraud
✅ Deceptive practices under the Oklahoma Consumer Protection Act
✅ Breach of contract

They are asking the court to rescind the forged contract, return their down payment, and award them damages including punitive damages for fraud and deception.

What Happens Next?

The Sheldons are demanding a jury trial and have requested actual damages, statutory damages, attorney’s fees, and punitive damages exceeding $75,000. Their legal team argues that both Fowler Ford and Truity Federal Credit Union should be held responsible — Fowler for forging signatures and theft of the down payment, and Truity for knowingly trying to collect on a fraudulent contract.