Date Received: 2024-01-04
Issue: Trouble using the card
Subissue: Trouble using the card to spend money in a store or online
Consumer Complaint: I have two AMEX gift cards for {$100.00} each, and can't use them anywhere. I have tried in store, gas stations, and online, and looked at their website for help. They are supposed to be active and ready to use. I followed all the suggestions, and found a list of retailers on their website that they say work online, and tried several of them as well, and still can't spend my money. I even tried small purchases of {$25.00} to see if that would help but no luck. I just want my money back. The number listed on their card just goes to an automated system, and is unhelpful. This feels like a scam. **The form is only letting me list one card number, so I will have to give the other later**
Company Response:
State: LA
Zip: 706XX
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2024-01-04
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with monetary relief
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2024-01-04
Issue: Trouble using the card
Subissue: Trouble using the card to spend money in a store or online
Consumer Complaint: Subject : Inability to Utilize American Express Gift Cards and Lack of Customer Service Resolution ( Duplicate Complaint for another card Number : Only a card number was able to be added. I have two prepaid cards : Original COMPLAINT ID XXXX ) Complaint Description : I, XXXX XXXX XXXX currently residing in XXXX, NV, and serving as the XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX and XXXX XXXX at XXXX XXXX XXXX wish to file a formal complaint regarding the issues I've encountered with American Express ( AMEX ) gift cards. Issue Overview : Duration of the Issue : Since late XXXX to early XXXX Nature of the Problem : Received multiple AMEX virtual gift cards from my employer, which were initially functional but are now universally declined both online and at physical locations ( including restaurants, grocery stores, and when attempting to add to XXXX XXXX ). Attempts at Resolution : Customer Service Interaction : Upon contacting AMEX customer service, no viable solution was provided. The representatives were unable to : Suggest locations for card usage despite AMEX 's claim of universal acceptance wherever AMEX cards are accepted. Transfer balances from the virtual cards to a physical card. Issue a refund or convert the balance to cash or check. Additional Limitations Noted : The cards do not permit partial payments. Restrictions on charging amounts close to the total card balance. Primary Concerns : Inaccessibility of Funds : The current status renders the money on these cards inaccessible for over a year. Misleading Advertising : AMEXs claims of universal acceptance of their gift cards are proving to be false in my experience. Potential Consumer Impact : This situation seems to be a broader issue potentially affecting numerous consumers, suggesting a systemic problem with AMEXs gift card policies and functionality. Resolution Sought : I am seeking the total balance on my four unusable virtual cards in the form of cash or check. My intent is to gain access to the funds rightfully owed to me and ensure that AMEX addresses these significant service shortcomings for all consumers. I trust that the CFPB will take this matter seriously and aid in resolving this issue effectively. Sincerely, XXXX XXXX
Company Response:
State: NV
Zip: XXXXX
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2024-01-04
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with monetary relief
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2024-01-04
Issue: Trouble using the card
Subissue: Trouble using the card to spend money in a store or online
Consumer Complaint: Subject : Inability to Utilize American Express Gift Cards and Lack of Customer Service Resolution Complaint Description : I, XXXX XXXX, currently residing in XXXX, NV, and serving as the XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX and XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX wish to file a formal complaint regarding the issues I've encountered with American Express ( AMEX ) gift cards. Issue Overview : Duration of the Issue : Since late XXXX to early XXXX. Nature of the Problem : Received multiple AMEX virtual gift cards from my employer, which were initially functional but are now universally declined both online and at physical locations ( including restaurants, grocery stores, and when attempting to add to XXXX XXXX ). Attempts at Resolution : Customer Service Interaction : Upon contacting AMEX customer service, no viable solution was provided. The representatives were unable to : Suggest locations for card usage despite AMEX 's claim of universal acceptance wherever AMEX cards are accepted. Transfer balances from the virtual cards to a physical card. Issue a refund or convert the balance to cash or check. Additional Limitations Noted : The cards do not permit partial payments. Restrictions on charging amounts close to the total card balance. Primary Concerns : Inaccessibility of Funds : The current status renders the money on these cards inaccessible for over a year. Misleading Advertising : AMEXs claims of universal acceptance of their gift cards are proving to be false in my experience. Potential Consumer Impact : This situation seems to be a broader issue potentially affecting numerous consumers, suggesting a systemic problem with AMEXs gift card policies and functionality. Resolution Sought : I am seeking the total balance on my four unusable virtual cards in the form of cash or check. My intent is to gain access to the funds rightfully owed to me and ensure that AMEX addresses these significant service shortcomings for all consumers. I trust that the CFPB will take this matter seriously and aid in resolving this issue effectively. Sincerely, XXXX XXXX
Company Response:
State: NV
Zip: XXXXX
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2024-01-04
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with monetary relief
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2024-01-04
Issue: Trouble using the card
Subissue: Trouble using the card to spend money in a store or online
Consumer Complaint: I have tried to use the gift card at gas stations, XXXX and online at XXXX. All for under the amount on the card but every time it gets declined.
Company Response:
State: CA
Zip: 91411
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2024-01-04
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with monetary relief
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2024-01-04
Issue: Trouble using the card
Subissue: Trouble using the card to spend money in a store or online
Consumer Complaint: Received {$100.00} AmEx gift card. Unable to use it anywhere -- local stores, XXXX, other online retailers. Get a message that says " payment did not go through '' or " there is something wrong with your card. ''
Company Response:
State: IL
Zip: 60618
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2024-01-04
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with monetary relief
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2024-01-04
Issue: Trouble using the card
Subissue: Trouble using the card to spend money in a store or online
Consumer Complaint: Was given an Amex gift card as a holiday bonus by my company. Have tried to use it at multiple online vendors ( including : XXXX, XXXX, XXXX, XXXX, and other smaller vendors ). It is not accepted by anyone, AmExGiftCard.com/balance shows only a slew of {$.00} transactions that are pending, but all purchase attempts are rejected. I called AmEx and spoke with Customer Support who tried to be helpful but could not offer any explanation as to why the card was rejected or where it could actually be used. His answer was " your card is blocked but I've removed the block, try again in XXXX hours or try another store '' but there is no information on the AmExGiftCard.com/balance website about any block on the card, or whether it's been lifted. I'm not in the habit of being embarrassed at local stores and restaurants when a card is declined, so I'd prefer to simply have the money sent to me via check. I've read hundreds of similar complaints from others online - this is clearly a known issue and Amex is taking advantage of consumers with deceitful advertising, then covering it up with more deceit from their customer service team.
Company Response:
State: CA
Zip: 92692
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2024-01-04
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with monetary relief
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2024-01-05
Issue: Trouble using the card
Subissue: Trouble using the card to spend money in a store or online
Consumer Complaint: I received an AMEX gift card in the amount of {$150.00} from my employer. I tried using it 12x to buy various items the past 3 days, online. The AMEX site says it should be useable just like any credit card after activated, which I did. I can see the balance on the site, and every time it gets an attempted purchase ( which it declines ), it removes XXXX cents from my account and does not return it as a temp hold. So now my balanced is below {$150.00}. I've tried {$150.00}, {$50.00}, {$25.00} purchases. None work and there is no reason given. I was on an XXXX chat for 30 minutes yesterday and they could not figure out why it won't work. But they could not help me.
Company Response:
State: IL
Zip: 60016
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2024-01-05
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with monetary relief
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2024-01-05
Issue: Trouble using the card
Subissue: Trouble using the card to spend money in a store or online
Consumer Complaint: I have an American Express gift card, and I have a balance of {$48.00} and everywhere I use the card I keep getting a decline transaction or invalid card when I obviously have a balance
Company Response:
State: MD
Zip: 20876
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2024-01-16
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with monetary relief
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2024-01-04
Issue: Improper use of your report
Subissue: Reporting company used your report improperly
Consumer Complaint: I am writing to formally notify you that your actions have violated my rights as outlined in the Fair Credit Reporting Act, specifically under 15 USC 1681 Section 602 and Section 604A. As a consumer, I have a right to privacy, which includes restrictions on credit reporting agencies furnishing accounts without my written instruction, as mandated under 15 USC 1666b. THIS COMPANY HAS VIOLATED MY RIGHTS BY CONTINUOUSLY REPORTING AND SENDING MY STATEMENTS TO THE INCORRECT ADDRESS! XXXX XXXX XXXX -- -this is not the consumers address 1. AMEX It has come to my attention that a late payment on my credit card account under an open-ended consumer credit plan has been treated as " late '' for reporting purposes. This action is in direct violation of the aforementioned statutes. I have repeatedly requested an address change as I have never lived at this address in my life.
Company Response:
State: GA
Zip: 306XX
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2024-01-04
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2024-01-04
Issue: Trouble using the card
Subissue: Trouble using the card to spend money in a store or online
Consumer Complaint: I received this card as a gift on XXXX. I activated this car on XX/XX/XXXX and tried to use it on XXXX XXXX and XXXX. the card says it is declined and to contact the card user despite me not using the card and entering the correct information. I contacted American Express and they said to give it XXXX hours after activation and it should work. It has been XXXX hours and it still does not work. No online location will take this card not XXXX XXXX, XXXX, XXXX, or XXXX.
Company Response:
State: SC
Zip: 29644
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2024-01-04
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with explanation
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A