Date Received: 2023-08-15
Issue: Trouble using the card
Subissue: Trouble using the card to spend money in a store or online
Consumer Complaint: I am an XXXXXXXX and received XXXX gift cards from XXXX XXXX XXXX as a gift for being on their XXXX XXXX XXXX. They sent me one {$50.00} gift card in XX/XX/XXXX and another {$50.00} gift card in XX/XX/XXXX. The gift card numbers are as follows : XXXX XXXX I have attempted to use both cards to purchase school supplies for the new school year on XXXX, XXXX ( a local TX grocery store ), XXXX, and my school district website, and both cards do not work at any of these locations ( online or in person ) that I actually shop at. As per the AMEX website 's directions, all of the online merchants I attempted required me to enter the Card number, expiration and security code, but they still didn't work. I checked the balance of both cards at https : //balance.amexgiftcard.com/ # /help and both cards have the full amount I was gifted. I called the " Help '' number twice XXXX and received no help. The call center workers both gave the same answer : I can not use the gift cards at XXXX or the other stores I tried because of fraud protection, those merchants are unauthorized. I asked why would commonly used stores like XXXX, XXXX, and XXXX be considered unauthorized merchants, and the workers said that is what their system says and they can not help me further. I asked if I could have a physical gift card instead of the eGift card ( in hopes that a physical card would work better ), and they said they can not give me anything. I asked if they could " unblock '' the merchants that I frequently shop at since I am verifying that it is myself and not a thief who is trying to use the cards I was gifted, and they said they can not. I asked how they CAN help me to use the {$100.00} worth of gift cards that I have, and the man said to try another merchant, but he wouldn't give me a list of approved merchants AMEX eGift cards allows and doesn't block. I'm extremely frustrated because I can not use this very much needed money to buy things I need for XXXX XXXX and it's just sitting in my email - useless. I feel cheated and scammed and I want access to the funds I was gifted without having to jump through so many hoops.
Company Response:
State: TX
Zip: 77479
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2023-08-15
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with monetary relief
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2023-08-14
Issue: Advertising and marketing, including promotional offers
Subissue: Confusing or misleading advertising about the credit card
Consumer Complaint: Amex offers a feature on their charge cards called 'Plan It ' in which customers can select certain charges to be paid off under a " plan '' which is essentially installments for a fixed duration. Once a customer has a Plan in place, when they go to pay their statement balance, they have a new type of balance call " Adjusted Balance '' which includes the balance for charges made in the billing cycle, plus the Plan principal and fee. Amex states, plans can not be cancelled after they have been set up but you can choose to pay them early by paying the New Balance shown on your most recent billing statement in full. If you pay a plan off early, you will not incur any future plan fees on that plan. If you pay more than the Adjusted Balance, but less than the New Balance, Amex applies the excess payment to the Plan principal. HOWEVER, Amex then adjusts the monthly installment due on the plan to force the plan to go to the full duration ( i.e., the excess payment does not reduce Plan fees because Amex adjusts the Plan installments rather than keep the installment the same and allow early payoff ). This is highly deceptive - if I pay more towards the principal of any other installment loan, I effectively pay the loan off early and pay less interest, however, Amex structures the Plan It so this is impossible. No where on the website does it disclose this information.
Company Response:
State: DC
Zip: 200XX
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2023-08-14
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with explanation
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2023-08-13
Issue: Incorrect information on your report
Subissue: Account status incorrect
Consumer Complaint: On XX/XX/23, I wrote American Express a letter informing them of their inaccurate reporting of an account on my consumer reports. Amex is in violation of multiple laws set forth by Congress. 15 U.S. Code 1681a ( 2 ) ( a ) ( i ) states that the consumer report does not include information solely as to transactions or experiences ( payment history, charge off status ), between the consumer ( myself ) and the person ( AMEX ) making the report. Additionally, 15 U.S. Code 1681 s-2 ( a ) ( 1 ) ( A ) states that A person ( AMEX ) shall not furnish any information relating to a consumer ( ME ) to any consumer reporting agency ( XXXX, XXXX, XXXX ) if the person knows or has reasonable cause to believe that the information is inaccurate. The IRS Clearly defines a charge off as Gross or Ordinary income, INCOME DOES NOT GET REPORTED ON THE CONSUMER REPORT which in fact makes reporting of this account inaccurate! By Definition, the IRS Clearly says a Cancelled debt or Charge off is Income. The reporting of this account as a debt is inaccurate. I never received a 1099-C from AMEX for the cancelled debt of {$1200.00} in order to file as ordinary income. Where is my 1099-C AMEX is clearly writing off debt with the IRS without sending out 1099-C as required by the IRS for debts greater than {$600.00}. This is unsatisfactory! AMEX has been HEREBY PUT ON NOTICE that they are furnishing incorrect inaccurate information, and as such I shall also point out their responsibility pursuant 15 U.S. Code section 1681s-2 ( a ) ( 1 ) ( B ) ( ii ) : ( a ) DUTY OF FURNISHERS OF INFORMATION TO PROVIDE ACCURATE INFORMATION 1 ) PROHIBITION ( B ) Reporting information after notice and confirmation of errors A person shall not furnish information relating to a consumer to any consumer reporting agency if ( i ) the person has been notified by the consumer, at the address specified by the person for such notices, that specific information is inaccurate ; and ( ii ) the information is, in fact, inaccurate.
Company Response:
State: VA
Zip: 23455
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2023-08-13
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with explanation
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2023-08-13
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: On XX/XX/2023 I called American Express and talked with XXXX and XXXX. XXXX said I can not dispute the charges because " the attempt to cancel was made post the charge submission date. '' XXXX said that American Express mailed me the letter saying that one of my ongoing disputes was canceled on XX/XX/2023 to my business address. Then I told her that more than likely it was the date of the letter. Then XXXX said that it was emailed to me on XX/XX/2023. I asked her what email address, and she said she can not say my email address because of company policy. I have many email addresses, so the fact that American Express can not mail me a letter regarding a dispute is not good. XXXX read the resolution letter to me, which was from American Express Customer Service. She was unable to complete any of my disputes for various reasons. I don't know why American Express makes it so hard for me to make a dispute. I think they just don't want to lose money, even though I did not make these charges, or contacted the companies numerous times to cancel, yet they still charge my account.
Company Response:
State: HI
Zip: XXXXX
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2023-08-13
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with explanation
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2023-08-13
Issue: Improper use of your report
Subissue: Reporting company used your report improperly
Consumer Complaint: provided me with a copy of ANY original documentation ( a consumer contract with my signature on it ) as required under 15 USC 1681g ( a ) ( 1 ) & 15 USC 1681i ( a ) ( 1 ) ( A ). Furthermore, you have failed to provide the method of verification as required under 15 USC1681i ( a ) ( 7 ). Please be advised that under 15 USC1681i ( 5 ) ( A ) of the FCRA you are required to promptly UPDATE all information which can not be verified. The law is very clear as to the Civil liability and the remedy available to me 15 USC 1681n & 15 USC 1681o ) if you fail to comply with Federal Law. I am a litigious consumer and fully intend on pursuing litigation in this matter to enforce my rights under the FCRA. I demand the following accounts be verified or upated immediately. Account number XXXX, Account number XXXX
Company Response:
State: NY
Zip: 11204
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2023-08-13
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2023-08-13
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: Purchased from XXXX shoe size XXXX, retailer shipped size XXXX. Was unable to resolved issue with retailer ( return options not available ) - hence filed a disputer with credit card company ( american express ). Credit card company denied the dispute- even though merchant was wrong.
Company Response:
State: AZ
Zip: 85297
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2023-08-13
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with explanation
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2023-08-14
Issue: Closing your account
Subissue: Company closed your account
Consumer Complaint: Amex cancelled my credit card and closed my account. When I called them to confirm, they were very dismissive about it and kept disconnecting my call They said I was the one who called and cancelled the account and credit card where as in reality, I never called them.. I asked Amex for justification and what verification was done for whoever called and cancelled mt card but they said that they did no such verification and just cancelled my account as per their convenience.. I asked to Talk to their fraud investigation and identity theft department. But they were adamant that they did nothing wrong and I was the one who cancelled the account I told them to hear the recording of the call assuming they record all calls they said they didnt have time to check and again cut the call
Company Response:
State: CO
Zip: 80020
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2023-08-14
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2023-08-13
Issue: Trouble using the card
Subissue: Trouble using the card to spend money in a store or online
Consumer Complaint: I paid for an American Express Pre-paid Gift cards on or about XX/XX/2021, in the value of {$75.00}. The had charges on it before I even received the card in the mail. I attempted to communicate with American Express to advise that they needed to send a replacement card. Amex said that they disclaimed all liability! In fact, I could not even speak with anyone about the card. I emailed the CEO of AMEX and a representative wrote me an email and said there was nothing MEX would do for selling me a pre-paid gift card of {$75.00} with a balance of XXXX on it when I received it. For more than one year, I have been attempting to communicate with the Executive Office of American Express about this issue. I have been told that AMEX will not assist me.
Company Response:
State: FL
Zip: 33143
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2023-08-13
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with explanation
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2023-08-13
Issue: Problem with a credit reporting company's investigation into an existing problem
Subissue: Their investigation did not fix an error on your report
Consumer Complaint: The existence of a derogatory rating on my account is causing me significant concern. I am deeply worried about its potential impact on my credit. It has already resulted in the denial of a recent loan application and an increase in the interest rates on my existing credit accounts. I want to emphasize the severe financial and emotional distress that this negative rating has caused me and will continue to cause until it is resolved.
Company Response:
State: FL
Zip: 33614
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2023-08-13
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with explanation
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2023-08-12
Issue: Fees or interest
Subissue: Problem with fees
Consumer Complaint: I have three separate accounts with Amex personal use, primary bills, and business. I have been receiving limit reductions for all account despite never missing a payment, and I had an issue with one card and Amex froze all accounts/cards which ultimately impacted my credit and completely severed my ability to purchase basic necessities. Amex then reached out demanding XXXX $ or else they would continue reducing account ( this is by legal definition coercion which is illegal ). I informed Amex of this and that my wife and I are due for our first baby this week and we can not risk having cards frozen or paying such a large sun when we already live paycheck to paycheck. I have spoken with Amex about interest reductions as well and am being charged 400 $ + a month in interest. At this pace I am fearing potential bankruptcy and inability to support family when I have been a consistent user for almost ten years and have never defaulted a payment. All of this has occurred from XX/XX/2023 to present.
Company Response:
State: GA
Zip: 30269
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2023-08-12
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with explanation
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A