Date Received: 2023-12-30
Issue: Trouble using the card
Subissue: Trouble using the card to spend money in a store or online
Consumer Complaint: Received a prepaid Amex gift card from my job. I have tried to use the card at numerous locations in store and online, card keep declining. I check the balance on the card and it says active and the entire balance is on the card. I am unable to use it. I called the Amex phone number XXXX and all it give you a generalized response as to why transactions are declined, but offer no resolution except that we should try with another merchant.
Company Response:
State: IN
Zip: 46323
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2023-12-30
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with monetary relief
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2023-12-30
Issue: Trouble using the card
Subissue: Trouble using the card to spend money in a store or online
Consumer Complaint: Cards are declined everywhere ( e.g. online, brick and mortar stores, etc. ) despite Amex reporting a balance of {$300.00}.
Company Response:
State: NY
Zip: 10065
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2023-12-30
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with monetary relief
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2023-12-30
Issue: Trouble using the card
Subissue: Trouble using the card to spend money in a store or online
Consumer Complaint: i asked why doesnt the gift card work anywhere and they just said its for my safety but i cant use it anywhere so whats the point of having it
Company Response:
State: MO
Zip: 65109
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2023-12-30
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with monetary relief
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2023-12-30
Issue: Fees or interest
Subissue: Problem with fees
Consumer Complaint: On XXXX XX/XX/XXXX- I applied for an American Express Everyday Credit Card which had a Promotional Offer of 0 % APR interest for XXXX months for a balance transfers and 0 % APR interest for new purchases for the first XXXX months of opening the account. The Balance Transfer fee was 3 %. American Express made me read the Terms and Conditions of the card and I printed them out at XXXX XXXX ( I have a copy - previously sent to CFPB ). At XXXX XXXX, I received an email that I was approved for the card ( previously sent to CFPB ). I borrowed {$5000.00} from American Express and used the funds to pay {$4000.00} towards a high interest credit card and another {$1000.00} towards another high interest credit card. The Balance Transfer Fees charged was {$150.00} dollars. When I received my statement on XXXX XX/XX/XXXX, along with the {$150.00} Balance Transfer Fee, American Express also charged me {$66.00} in Interest charges with a 23.24 % Interest Rate, along with the Balance Transfer Fees. ( previously sent to CFPB ). I was charged {$200.00} in XXXX months for a Credit Card that I was promised 0 % interest for XXXX months. After submitting a complaint to CFPB - nothing was resolved in my favor. I took out the AMEX loan to get me out of debt, not cause more debt. I then took out a loan with a local bank to pay off the American Express Card because I was lied to about the 15 month 0 % interest rate. The balance on my loan was {$4800.00}. On XX/XX/23, the bank paid off the AMEX card balance for {$4600.00} and I made my monthly payment for {$150.00} on XX/XX/23. This paid off the loan. Today, on XX/XX/23 - AMEX sent me a statement saying I owe them {$49.00} for a {$2500.00} balance from XX/XX/23. Please see attached. I do not believe the {$49.00} Interest charge is warranted. I took out a {$5000.00} loan and even after making XXXX months of large payments, I still had a balance of almost {$5000.00} ( {$4800.00} ) due to American Express 's Exorbitant Fees and Interest Charges. American Express is a Predatory Lending, first by promising me a 0 % interest rate and then not fulfilling that promise, and later by charging me an Interest Fee ( {$49.00} ) after the loan is paid off. American Express is attacking American Consumers using Bait and Switch tactics during their times of need. I will also be writing the Federal Trade Commission and my Congressional Representatives with this complaint, including the history and artifacts.
Company Response:
State: MA
Zip: 015XX
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2023-12-30
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with explanation
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2023-12-30
Issue: Trouble using the card
Subissue: Trouble using the card to spend money in a store or online
Consumer Complaint: I have tried using my {$100.00} American Express gift card online with little success over the past week. I made two initial purchases ( XXXX and a company called XXXX ) with success. Every attempt since then, including adding the funds to an XXXX gift card has been declined. Each time I've attempted to use the card I've also been charged a small fee. I created an AmEx gift card account in hopes of verifying the card and it still is being declined on all purchases that are less than the remaining balance.
Company Response:
State: IL
Zip: 620XX
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2023-12-31
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with monetary relief
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2023-12-30
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/, when I returned a call to XXXX ( XXXX XXXX ) he XXXX rep told me I just needed to get a new modem as mine was outdated. I could bring the old one to any store for an exchange. Then, an FTC officer got on the line and told me that my identity had been stolen and my SS # was used to open several XXXX XXXX XXXX accounts. I was currently under investigation and was told I needed to keep my phone on at all times with the speakerphone on. I asked why he was on the XXXX call, he said when XXXX sees any suspicious activity on an account, they flag the FTC. Because I have been a customer of XXXX XXXX for decades, I believed this very convincing actor was a legitimate FTC officer. I was told not to tell anyone of this investigation as they did not know who had gotten my SS #, and I was not to go on the internet or open any apps on my phone, laptop or desktop because the hackers could get further into my personal information, I could be in danger, and I would compromise their investigation of the scammers who had stolen my identity and Social Security number. That day, I was told the FTC had to safeguard all my assets. Namely, house cash and savings. If I did not cooperate with them, they would seize all of my finances and freeze them for several months. I would have to appear in court, and because my SS # was used to open these illegal accounts, I could go to XXXX After all my assets were safeguarded, two agents from SS would come to my home, reestablish all my bank accounts, and I would be given a new SS #. Then they would be able to conduct their investigation further and close all accounts using my current SS #. I asked how could they reestablish my accounts with the banks- that did not seem likely to me. I was told they are the government and have the authority over the banks. Between XXXX, I closed my accounts at three banks, went through the process of cashing the checks, packing and sending packages via XXXX or handing the package over to a courier. Finally, on XXXX, I was told to cash out any credit on my cards and buy gift cards and send the pictures of the cards with pin showing to them to be safeguarded and attached to my new SS #. The fake SS Admin also sent instructions through my XXXX on how to send the pin numbers so the funds could be attached to my new SS number. That night, because of the gift cards, I finally realized that I was scammed, and now I had only a small social security check nothing to live on, and for any emergencies that might come up. I called the police, who came and took an in-depth report and took copies of all the evidence from the scam. A detective was immediately assigned to this case. XXXX credited the gift card charges back to my card. American Express would not consider disputing the gift card charges. I have been XXXX of my entire life savings ( {$290.00} K+ ) and even put into credit card debt because I was tricked into believing I was being compliant with an officer of the law, who connected with me though a legitimate company that I trusted for decades. I have reported this scam to all the necessary agencies, stores ect. If you need more information please advise.
Company Response:
State: FL
Zip: 33436
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2023-12-30
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with explanation
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2023-12-30
Issue: Getting a credit card
Subissue: Application denied
Consumer Complaint: XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX American Express Card . I provided all of the account number for my XXXX XXXX account, talked with high risk who said everything was approved and that new account to would follow up with me to them denying my application after making me wait 2 weeks for any type of notification. I have the appropriate XXXX XXXX accounts that I need for this card. I will provide them below again XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX
Company Response:
State: IN
Zip: 463XX
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2023-12-30
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with explanation
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2023-12-31
Issue: Trouble using the card
Subissue: Trouble using the card to spend money in a store or online
Consumer Complaint: I have an Amex preloaded gift card for XXXX XXXX I went to purchase an XXXX gift card for XXXX $ to reload my balance on my account. The purchase was declined but a XXXX $ charge was added to the card. I contacted Amex and was told that they decline XXXX purchases automatically due to " protecting my funds '' and would not allow me to make a purchase. I then tried several other outlets with XXXX success with the same outcome. When reaching out again to just ask for a check or cash since their card is declined everywhere, I was told that it's mine problem, not theirs. This is ridiculous. I have money on the card that is impossible to use and given the run around by Amex. On top of that the processing charges will take over 2 weeks to be reversed if the card ever does work. I want my money that they claim I can use.
Company Response:
State: SC
Zip: 295XX
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2023-12-31
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with monetary relief
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2023-12-29
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 have unauthorized charges on XXXX of my American Express cards from a merchant called XXXX XXXX, XXXX NY. There are XXXX charges, dated XX/XX/XXXX through XX/XX/2023, totaling {$95000.00}. I do not recognize this merchant nor did I purchase or receive goods or services in those amounts. I opened XXXX fraud cases with American Express on XX/XX/XXXX. As of XX/XX/XXXX, the claims have been denied and closed with no explanation or supporting documentation, no contact information, and no appeals procedures. I have repeatedly contacted the AMEX Account XXXX XXXX at XXXX, but no one has been able to provide the information that I need. My AMEX case numbers are : XXXX for the account ending in XXXX, and XXXX for the account ending in XXXX. Both claims are in my name as the primary account holder ; my wife, XXXX XXXX, is listed as the secondary account holder on both accounts.
Company Response:
State: MD
Zip: 20901
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2023-12-29
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with explanation
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Date Received: 2023-12-29
Issue: Improper use of your report
Subissue: Reporting company used your report improperly
Consumer Complaint: Letter were send to company and via CFPB regarding violation of FCRA and USC. 15 U.S.C 1681 section 602 A. States I have the right to privacy. 15 U.S.C 1681 Section 604 A Section 2 : It also states a consumer reporting agency can not furnish a account without my written instructions 15 U.S.C 1681c.
Company Response:
State: IL
Zip: 60453
Submitted Via: Web
Date Sent: 2023-12-29
Company Response to Consumer: Closed with explanation
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A