Date Received: 2023-10-24
Issue: Trouble using your card
Subissue: Credit card company won't increase or decrease your credit limit
Consumer Complaint: The Role of Consumer Complaints in Identifying Unfair, Deceptive, or Abusive Acts or Practices Consumer complaints play a key role in the detection of unfair, deceptive, or abusive practices. I wish to file a formal complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ( CFPB ) against American Express for predatory lending and abusive practices. Today, I received an email from American Express stating that my credit limit may be reduced due to my payment history and credit scores, despite being a responsible borrower with a XXXXXXXX XXXX score, 34 % credit usage, and no missed or late payments. I currently have two American Express credit cards and a personal loan. My credit card balance is {$24000.00}, with a credit limit of {$40000.00}. All my other credit cards have XXXX balances. Any reduction in my credit limit would increase my credit usage, potentially harming my credit score and leading to higher future financing rates. This situation is unjust, and I believe it constitutes predatory behavior. On XX/XX/XXXX I contacted AMEX to discuss this matter and I was told that I needed to wait three days while the audit is being conducted. In the interim I could make the payment of {$6000.00} to maintain my existing limit. I copied the verbiage from the actual email for review. As a responsible lender, were always monitoring our Card Members accounts. Based on what we know about your payment history, including payments made in relation to your current debt with American Express, as well as your credit scores and other credit bureau information, your account is being reviewed for a possible limit reduction. Make a payment towards your balance to maintain your current limit we wont take the action stated above if you make a payment of {$6000.00} by XX/XX/. I request the CFPB 's investigation into this matter to ensure fair and responsible lending practices by American Express. Your attention to this issue is greatly appreciated.
Company Response:
State: GA
Zip: 30253
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2023-10-24
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with explanation
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2023-10-24
Issue: Getting a credit card
Subissue: Application denied
Consumer Complaint: In good faith, I exercised my right and applied for an extension of credit with American Express, on XX/XX/XXXX. American Express unlawfully discriminated against me, with respect to an aspect of a credit transaction. After reviewing my application they sent an adverse action notice via email and USPS, stating the reason ( s ) for their decision : American Express XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, UT XXXX ( XXXX ) XXXX XX/XX/XXXXXXXX Ref : XXXX Dear XXXX XXXX, Thank you for applying for American Express Gold Card. We are writing to let you know that, unfortunately, we can not approve your application at this time. Reason ( s ) for Our Decision Your XXXX score ( see below ) Information About Your XXXX Score We obtained your XXXX score from XXXX and used it in making our credit decision. Your XXXX score is a number that reflects the information in your credit report. Your XXXX score can change, depending on how the information in your credit report changes. On XX/XX/XXXX, your XXXX score was XXXX. The XXXX score ranges from XXXX to XXXX. The following are the key factors that contributed to youXXXX XXXX score : You have a serious delinquency on one or more of your accounts. There are too few accounts currently paid as agreed. The ratio of revolving account balances to their credit limits is too high. The ratio of loan balances to the loan amounts is too high. XXXX is a registered trademark of XXXX XXXX XXXX in the United States and in other countries. We realize this may not have been the outcome you hoped for. It's been our experience that applicants who were not approved for a new account at one time may qualify in the future. We invite you to apply again at a time when your circumstances have changed. If you have any questions, please call us at XXXX or write to us at the address above. You can also learn more about managing your credit at americanexpress.com/us/content/financial-education. Thank you for your interest in American Express. Sincerely, American Express Customer Care We've provided an important notice below concerning your rights. The creditor is American Express National Bank. Your Right to Get Your Credit Report Our decision was based in whole or in part on information obtained in a report from each consumer reporting agency in this letter. Please know that the consumer reporting agency played no part in our decision and can not supply you with the specific reasons for our decision. You have a right under the Fair Credit Reporting Act to know the information contained in your credit file at the consumer reporting agency. It can be obtained by contacting them directly. You also have a right to a free copy of your report from the consumer reporting agency if you request it within 60 days after you receive this notice. If you find that any information contained in the consumer report you receive is inaccurate or incomplete, you have the right to dispute the matter directly with the reporting agency. XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX Notice to U.S. Residents. The federal Equal Credit Opportunity Act prohibits creditors from discriminating against credit applicants on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, age ( provided that the applicant has the capacity to enter into a binding contract ) ; because all or part of the applicant 's income derives from any public assistance program ; or because the applicant has in good faith exercised any right under the Consumer Credit Protection Act. The federal agency that administers compliance with this law concerning American Express National Bank is the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection, XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, Washington, XXXX ( the " Bureau '' ). The federal agencies that administer compliance with this law concerning American Express Travel Related Services Company , Inc. are the Bureau ( address above ) and the Federal Trade Commission, XXXX XXXX XXXX, Washington, XXXX XXXX. XXXX
Company Response:
State: TX
Zip: 77004
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2023-10-24
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with explanation
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2023-10-24
Issue: Trouble using the card
Subissue: Trouble using the card to spend money in a store or online
Consumer Complaint: I have {$7.00} in value remaining on this American Express virtual reward card. It has been declined repeatedly despite my having enough balance remaining on this card to cover the transaction.
Company Response:
State: WA
Zip: 981XX
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2023-10-24
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with monetary relief
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2023-10-25
Issue: Incorrect information on your report
Subissue: Account status incorrect
Consumer Complaint: AFFIDAVIT OF TRUTH AND CEASE AND DESIST NOTICE Final Notice NOTICE TO AGENT IS NOTICE TO PRINCIPLE NOTICE TO PRINCIPLE IS NOTICE TO AGENT XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX RE : AMEX Amex is a furnisher of Inaccurate and incorrect information to my consumer reporting agencies. The reporting of such inaccurate information as cause serious damage to my character my reputation my general mode of living and my ability to obtain credit for personal and also my purpose. You're inaccurate reporting have damaged my livelihood 15US code 16 81 s - 2 responsibility of furnishing of information to consumer reporting agencies Duty a moral or legal application a responsibility Accurate correct in all details exact Prohibition a law or regulation forbidden something As defined by the IRS Even if you don't receive a form 1099C you must report cancel that as gross income on your tax return The IRS clearly define a charge off as gross or ordinary income. Income does not get reported and the Consumer report Which in fact makes your reporting of this account inaccurate incorrect and must be deleted By definition the IRS clearly says I canceled our charge of is income the report of this account as a debt is inaccurate and must be deleted from my consumer report. I demand you're company removed this inaccurate incorrect information on my consumer report, to be deleted immediately. 15 USC 1681 S- 2 says your company are a furniture of information to a consumer reporting agencies. You are prohibited by law to cease and desist this report of incorrect inaccurate information 15 USC 16 81 2 - S ( a ) ( 1 ) A. A person shall not furnish any information related to a consumer to any consumer reporting agency If the person knows are as reasonable cause to believe that the information is inaccurate. Your company is hereby put and notice, your company is the furnisher of information which as cause serve implication to obtain credit for personal and house purpose. The lender must file form XXXX and send you a copy if the amount canceled is {$600.00} or more and the lender is a financial institution, XXXX XXXX, government agency, or other applicable entity as discussed earlier in this chapter XXXX. XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX A duty of furniture of information to provide accurate information XXXX ) prohibition Be reported information after notice of confirmation of errors A Person shall not furnish information related to a consumer to any consumer report in agency if. XXXX ) the person has been notified by the consumer at address specifically by the person for such notice that specified information is incorrect and. XXXX ) the information is in fact inaccurate. In Conclusion I have shown you and your company is reporting inaccurate information you are put on notice of reporting inaccurate information. Your company have cause me and my family severe harm due to your negligence and inaccurate reporting. This is a final opportunity to cure and delete this erroneous inaccurate account from my consumer report. XXXX XXXX
Company Response:
State: CT
Zip: 061XX
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2023-10-25
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2023-10-25
Issue: Closing your account
Subissue: Can't close your account
Consumer Complaint: I closed a few accounts with American Express. They sent me a letter explaining I had an outstanding check for the remaining credit for those closed accounts. Per their request, I contacted them multiple times. Everytime I called them, they said they will resend me the check in 5-7 business day. However, I have never received anything. Last time I called I got a case number XXXX.
Company Response:
State: NJ
Zip: 07650
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2023-10-25
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with monetary relief
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2023-10-24
Issue: Improper use of your report
Subissue: Reporting company used your report improperly
Consumer Complaint: In accordance with the fair credit reporting act this creditor has violated my rights. Under 15 U.S.C. 1681 section 602 states I have the right to privacy. 15 U.S.C. 1681 section 604 ( a ) section 2 also states a consumer reporting agency can not furnish an account without my written instructions. Under 15 U.S.C. 1666 ( b ) a creditor may not treat a payment on a credit card account under an open-end consumer plan as late for any purpose.
Company Response:
State: MD
Zip: 20745
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2023-10-24
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with explanation
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2023-10-24
Issue: Other features, terms, or problems
Subissue: Problem with rewards from credit card
Consumer Complaint: XXXX AmEx informed me that I needed to make a minimum payment of {$80.00} ASAP. Due to poor communication from XX/XX/XXXX to late XX/XX/XXXX between AmEx and self, had made payments to AmEx totaling {$31000.00} from XX/XX/XXXX to XX/XX/XXXX. Discovered this large balance in late XXXX via a credit reporting agency, not AmEx. Since I did not understand the minimum payment crisis, I contacted AmEx both via phone and chat on XX/XX/XXXX. Told I needed to make a minimum {$80.00} payment on {$450.00} charges. On XX/XX/XXXX had {$470.00} " Reward Dollars '' XXXX XXXX ) that I earned for using the card. I have used XXXX to pay off charges before with no drama and asked them to pay off the charges with XXXX and cancel the card. I wished to cancel the card to end the nightmare that started XX/XX/XXXX, I became aware of late XX/XX/XXXX, and seemed to be ongoing XX/XX/XXXX. Informed that any XXXX XXXX ( {$21.00} ) would be lost when the card was canceled. Said that was fine, they could consider the {$21.00} my Thank You for canceling the card. I expected AmEx to offer a {$21.00} gift card but they did not. XX/XX/XXXX After an e-mail to my wife, talked to AmEx. Discovered that AmEx had simply canceled the card on XX/XX/XXXX, liquidating the $ XXXX XXXX account without paying off the {$450.00} charges account. Thus, AmEx took {$450.00} that I had earned for using the card without my consent ( Note that I did consent to AmEx keeping {$21.00}. ) AmEx promised to investigate but have no evidence of any follow-up. XX/XX/XXXX ( today ) Contacted AmEx ( XXXX ) following yet another e-mail to my wife. Informed I now owe AmEx {$550.00} ( {$450.00} + {$80.00} late fees from XX/XX/XXXX and XX/XX/XXXX + {$18.00} finance charges from XX/XX/XXXX and XX/XX/XXXX. Informed AmEx that my position was that they owed me ( using their own accounting methods ) {$100.00} ( {$21.00} + {$80.00} theft, dishonesty, and harassment fee + {$0.00} finance charge ) and that I would expect a gift card for this amount in the mail. AmEx did not agree. As a compromise I offered to send them a payment of {$100.00} after receiving the gift card. AmEx did not agree.
Company Response:
State: FL
Zip: 32082
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2023-10-24
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with explanation
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2023-10-24
Issue: Fees or interest
Subissue: Problem with fees
Consumer Complaint: For 7 years I have had an AmEx credit card and have paid in full and on time every month. The bill comes via e-mail and always arrived monthly. Last month the bill went to my spam filter and I never saw it. I called the company on XX/XX/23 and advised the rep what had happened. At that point I owed {$34.00} from the late bill and a {$29.00} late fee and the next bill had a charge of {$35.00} for a total of {$99.00} at that point. I gave the rep my routing and checking account numbers and paid everything off. I asked if the late charge could be waived because I had never been late with this credit card or any other credit card for that matter. The rep said it was their policy not to waive late charges. I asked to speak to a supervisor and he said one would call back within 24 hours which never happened, I called again the next day and got a different rep but same response ie. policy is no waiver of late charges and no supervisor available. I am XXXX years old and have never had late charges in the last 50 years because I pay my bills on time. How can this company charge me a late fee for a bill I never received. What possible reason would I have to incur a {$29.00} late fee on a bill of {$34.00} which I could easily pay on time if I knew about it. This is ridiculous.
Company Response:
State: NY
Zip: 140XX
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2023-10-24
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with explanation
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2023-10-24
Issue: Managing an account
Subissue: Deposits and withdrawals
Consumer Complaint: My identity was stolen in XXXX of this year. The thieves said they worked for XXXX XXXX, a legitimate company, which I had used previously for computer protection. Along with other money I have lost, my American Express XXXXXXXX monies were transferred to an American Express XXXX account that I did not open. {$41000.00} was taken out of my American Express XXXX account and transferred to an American Express XXXX account in my name that I DID NOT open. I did not authorize this and now my funds are gone. On XX/XX/XXXX, {$4900.00} was transferred out of that checking account and wire transferred to XXXX. On XX/XX/XXXX, {$19000.00} was wire transferred to XXXX XXXX. On XX/XX/XXXX, {$16000.00} was wire transferred to XXXX XXXX XXXX. I do not know XXXX XXXX nor have had any dealings with XXXX XXXX XXXX. Several accounts were also opened in my name that I did not authorize ; XXXX XXXX, XXXX, and XXXX. I have had this savings account for many years. I transfer money from my XXXX XXXX XXXX account monthly to this savings account. Normally, {$2000.00}. After calling and talking to several American Express employees in the fraud department over several weeks, American Express has sent three letters to me, all dated XX/XX/XXXX. Each letter had a different case number according to dates and dollar amounts taken from my account, as indicated above. American Express stated, in all three letters the following, " Based on the results of our investigation, we do not find that any error occurred. Therefore, no funds will be credited to your account as a result of this dispute ''.
Company Response:
State: TN
Zip: 38104
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2023-10-24
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with explanation
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2023-10-24
Issue: Trouble using the card
Subissue: Trouble using the card to spend money in a store or online
Consumer Complaint: I have 4, virtual {$100.00} American Express prepaid gift cards that are supposedly able to be used anywhere American Express is accepted online and in person ( {$400.00} total ). The cards terms state " Use at U.S. merchants that accept American Express Cards. Funds do not expire for all cards other than expiry cards. '' The American Express website also states that these cards are able to be used via XXXX. I have tried using all 4 of the cards online at : the XXXX XXXX, XXXX, XXXX, and XXXX. When my transactions failed at these major retailer stores online, I then tried adding the virtual gift cards to XXXX XXXX to use the cards in person, since the American Express website states that how to use these virtual cards in person. Adding the cards to XXXX XXXX and using them in person also did not work. I have multiple emails from retailers ( XXXX XXXX, XXXX, and XXXX ) saying that my payment has been rejected and they are unable to give a reason why the card was rejected other than " check with your card about the transaction. '' Each time I attempt to use the cards, I make sure the purchase amount is less than {$100.00}. I include the card number, card expiration date, security code, and billing address ( as their website states this information is needed when making a purchase ). No matter how small the purchase, the card gets rejected. I have checked the balance for these cards online and by phone, and it has been verified multiple times all 4 of the cards are active and have balances available. I am also now starting to get XXXX cent charges posted to these cards for all of the supposed " failed transactions. '' When I contact American Express, their customer service is extremely frustrating to deal with. Their customer service line only directs me to a robot, I have spent too much of my time trying to reach an actual person to assist. The only help I am able to get is verification that my cards are active ( not expired ) and have balances available, so they should be working. I have looked online to research if other people are experiencing similar issues. There are tons of posts on XXXX and similar websites with people complaining about the same issue. It seems like these cards are impossible to use anywhere and American Express customer service is of no help. I am not sure how they are getting away with not allowing these cards to be used, especially from major retail stores. I am at a loss of what to do. {$400.00} is a lot of money to just let go of, so I am reaching out for advice or help regarding next steps. I am submitting one of the emails I just got this morning about my failed payment.
Company Response:
State: MN
Zip: 55033
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2023-10-24
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with monetary relief
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A