Date Received: 2023-09-20
Issue: Trouble using the card
Subissue: Trouble using the card to spend money in a store or online
Consumer Complaint: I got an American Express Virtual Reward for a balance of {$1800.00}. The card keeps being declined on every single online retail store such as XXXX, XXXX, XXXX, XXXX, and XXXX for even orders less than {$40.00}. I called customer service on XXXX, XXXX and I was told there was a security measure and to give it XXXX hours to resolve. I tried again different sites after XXXX hours, but nothing changed all got declined. I called customer service again on XX/XX/XXXX and I got another excuse that most of the sites are blocked online to prevent fraud. I was told that may be the merchants don't accept Amex, I answered that after each declined transaction with the PREPAID CARD I used my American Express CREDIT CARD and the transaction went through, so the problem isn't merchant-related. I am not able to use the card at all. I tried to search online and found that a lot of people have the same issue with this particular product " American Express Virtual Reward ' who have failed to use the care and after several ( 9 -12 ) months, a service fee of {$3.00} per month started to be charged. This is a quote from their cardholder agreement : " Where to Use Your Virtual Reward Card The Virtual Reward Card may be used at merchants and retailers in the United States, XXXX XXXX XXXX and XXXX XXXX, including online or mail order retailers and merchants, that accept the American Express Card ( XXXX )
Company Response:
State:
Zip: XXXXX
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2023-09-20
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2023-09-20
Issue: Problem with a purchase shown on your statement
Subissue: Credit card company isn't resolving a dispute about a purchase on your statement
Consumer Complaint: I booked a trip from XXXX XXXX Texas to XXXX XXXX Nevada through American Express Travel on or about XX/XX/2023. XXXX. ) I was immediately charged for the entire trip, even though it is XXXX MONTHS away. Usually you pay the hotel upon check out. 2. ) I booked an American Airlines ticket as well. 3. ) Due to surgery complications, I can not travel. XXXX. ) I called to cancel and was told it was not refundable. XXXX. ) I booked and paid with my AmEx, a similar XXXX trip last year, and was told the same 'non refundable ' policy. XXXX. ) Amex told me last year, " if you booked with Amex you wouldn't have this trouble. XXXX. ) This current trip, Amex uses XXXX as their subcontractor. I know, I'm getting a doctors verification, but what the XXXX is going on with Amex? Greedy advance payments? Lying to customers? This is not the AMEX I once knew and loved.
Company Response:
State: NM
Zip: 88310
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2023-09-20
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with monetary relief
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2023-09-20
Issue: Closing your account
Subissue: Can't close your account
Consumer Complaint: XX/XX/2022 RQUESTED CANCELLATION OF LOST AMERICAN EXPRESS CARD. HAVE BEEN IGNORED SINCE XX/XX/2022. - CARD HAD OVER {$20000.00} IN EXPENSE 'S
Company Response:
State: CA
Zip: 92821
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2023-09-20
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with explanation
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2023-09-20
Issue: Problem with a purchase or transfer
Subissue: Charged for a purchase or transfer you did not make with the card
Consumer Complaint: On XX/XX/2023 I called the number on the back of my Bluebird American Express Prepaid Debit Card, because I had noticed 6 unauthorized charges on my account. Unauthorized Charges as follows : XX/XX/2023 XXXX XXXX XXXX ATM Withdrawal {$100.00} XX/XX/2023 XXXX XXXX XXXX ATM Withdrawal {$200.00} XX/XX/2023 XXXX XXXX XXXX WA XXXX, CA {$55.00} XX/XX/2023 XXXX XXXX XXXX WA XXXX, CA {$110.00} In addition there were XXXX ATM fees for {$2.00} each which Bluebird Customer Service reversed those charges right away. During this call, we closed my card and they were sending me a new card. I was advised that i would need to wait for the XXXX XXXX transactions to post and call back when they do. I called back and reported the XXXX transactions when they posted to the account. I also uploaded the declaration of fraud they request on XX/XX/2023. On XX/XX/2023 I received an email from customer service saying " Based upon our investigation we have determined that no error occurred and that transaction ( XXXX ) in question was authorized. Therefore the transaction ( XXXX ) is not eligible for credit to your Account. You have the right to review any documents we relied upon in making our determination..I mailed the letter on XX/XX/2023. '' I called customer service on XX/XX/2023 and they apologized and said they could process it again. So I had them reprocess my claim and went through the exact same procedure and received the exact same results. In the mean time I had to send a second letter on XX/XX/2023 to request evidence because my tracking said it was delayed. on XX/XX/2023 they called me and told me that there was no evidence to send me. and that there excuse was Goods and Services ; Transaction was determined to be a possible billing error, otherwise valid charge, or inconclusive to be accepted as fraud. They sent me an email because i asked for it in writing. I can provide a PDF but the wording above is highlighted and when i saved to pdf it took off the highlights. but i can provide all evidence. I have basically told them that I have never been to XXXX and I was at my home when these charges took place. I also never write down my pin like they tell us. I believe my card was skimmed at an ATM machine ( that is the only place this type of card uses a pin number ) and then my card was cloned. I still have the card, it never left my possession.
Company Response:
State: CA
Zip: 92543
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2023-09-20
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with explanation
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2023-09-20
Issue: Trouble using the card
Subissue: Trouble using the card to spend money in a store or online
Consumer Complaint: I have received Amex gift card, I start using it online and in store sometimes it works sometimes is not, so later it stop working in any stores or online purchases I ask the company for help but they just told me that everything is fine with my card and I can use anywhere besides XXXX. But it actually not works even if I have a balance over XXXX XXXX
Company Response:
State: NY
Zip: 11229
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2023-09-20
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with monetary relief
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2023-09-21
Issue: Incorrect information on your report
Subissue: Information belongs to someone else
Consumer Complaint: This creditor engaged in abusive, deceptive, and unfair practices of the FDCPA which it prohibits. According to 15 USC 1666b it is a billing error I did not receive a statement 21 days before the late payment error. If finance charge included, there should be no late payments pursuant 15 USC 1605 ( a ) due to finance charge bring sum of all charges so I can not be penalized for something that is already paid in full.
Company Response:
State: GA
Zip: 317XX
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2023-09-21
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with explanation
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2023-09-21
Issue: Trouble using the card
Subissue: Trouble using the card to spend money in a store or online
Consumer Complaint: I have been trying to use this prepaid card for {$50.00} I purchased at XXXX today and it has not been able to work anywhere online.
Company Response:
State: NE
Zip: 68116
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2023-09-21
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with explanation
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2023-09-20
Issue: Written notification about debt
Subissue: Didn't receive enough information to verify debt
Consumer Complaint: I had a credit card with American Express. I am going through hardship and need some help from American Express. I contacted them several times asking for help, and was told I didn't qualify for assistance. I then received a letter from American Express on XX/XX/2023 that my account was turned over to a collection agency, XXXX XXXX XXXX. They gave me their contact information, I wrote a letter to XXXX XXXX on XX/XX/XXXX asking for help and asked that they contact me via mail, not phone or email. On XX/XX/XXXX, I got a collection letter in the mail dated XX/XX/XXXX from a company called XXXX XXXX Firm stating they were representing American Express. I was very confused and assumed this was a scam. They gave me an email address so I wrote them an email on that same day ( XX/XX/XXXX ) explaining my concerns that American Express told me I was working with XXXX XXXX XXXX, not with them. I asked for clarification on who I was to work with on this matter. I never heard from them again, so, I assumed I was correct that it was fraudulent activity as they were never mentioned by American Express. Then, last night around XXXX, I answered my door and was served a summons that I was being sued for a debt I owe to American Express, filed in XXXX XXXX MN. I never got clarification on who was handling the account. American Express never XXXX time mentioned this law firm, and they never bothered to reply to my email. So I was waiting to hear back from XXXX XXXX. Now, I have a summons even though I clearly stated in my email that I was confused and needed clarification. How can this be legal? I was never told that my account was going to be sued. I have always paid my bills on time. I do not want to be in this situation, but I am. And I can't do anything about my financial situation at the moment.
Company Response:
State: MN
Zip: 554XX
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2023-09-20
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with explanation
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2023-09-20
Issue: Trouble using the card
Subissue: Trouble using the card to spend money in a store or online
Consumer Complaint: I was rewarded a {$100.00} gift card from my job and have not been able to use it anywhere online. I called the Amex customer service number on the back of the card about a month ago and the service rep told me I was probably putting in the numbers wrong and to try using it on different online vendors. I've tried over 10 different online vendors and digital wallets and still have not found a way to use the funds in my gift card.
Company Response:
State: WA
Zip: 98003
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2023-09-20
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with monetary relief
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2023-09-20
Issue: Advertising and marketing, including promotional offers
Subissue: Confusing or misleading advertising about the credit card
Consumer Complaint: I am a partner of a startup based out of NC. For all startups funding is an important factor. We chose AMEX for its reputable brand. So we thought We filled out the business application online at the end of XXXX, beginning of XXXX, was approved for The business Gold card in the amount of {$20000.00}, in which I had to be a personal guarantor. Everything was good so far. We are a bootstrapped women operated and owned firm so funding is a challenge for any business. We have a client we worked on for about a month. Secured them to send a contract. Went to check to make sure AMEX was ready to perform and the credit was reduced to {$500.00}. Our costs to that client are {$12000.00} to {$15000.00} with an immediate return of {$27000.00}. First client, first huge client. The offer of a {$200000.00} year in profit from this one client was made. AMEX threw us under the bus for this is a trial run. We are devastated. Our clients rely on our word as we do in the office. We are disappointed AMEX didn't keep theirs. When I reached out to AMEX, I was able to connect with a specialist who provided some insights, although he acknowledged that the situation seemed confusing. He informed me that, upon approval, there's a 48-hour window to utilize the balance ; otherwise, it would be adjusted. I expressed my concern, explaining that this presented an issue because AMEX typically takes about a week to send out the card for activation before it can be used. This was unexpected and quite misleading, especially considering the reputation of a company like AMEX. We would like to rectify this anyway possible.
Company Response:
State: NC
Zip: 27615
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2023-09-20
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with explanation
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A