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American Express Complaint - Cancellation Of Account With No Reason - Costco True Rewards American Express Card
Costco True Rewards American Express Card - Complaint
CHARLOTTE, VERMONT -- It is no small wonder American Express Company is looking for bail-out $$... they treat their loyal and good-paying customers like criminals!
My husband went to pay something with our Amex card, and it was declined...strange the bill had just been paid in full! When we got home I called to make sure there wasn't some kind of fraudulent activity or whatever, and to my shock and dismay was told our account had been cancelled on January 10th....the day after they processed the full balance of our statement's payment! They said there were problems with my credit report from Experian, and that my OTHER credit card balances were too high...
I called back this morning and was told there were "negative impacts" on my credit report, high balances, delinquent accounts, and "too many credit inquiries"--3 in the last 30 days.
I called Experian. They were incredulous! Turns out 2 out of the 3 "inquiries" were THEIRS, and this is very routine for credit card companies. There are NO negatives in my report, ALL of my accounts are in "Good Standing" (no great surprise since I have never been late on a payment, and always pay more than the minimum balance). They could not fathom what bone American Express would have to pick with it.
So where does that leave someone other than in an embarrassing situation of having a card declined for NO GOOD REASON, and be unable to get a straight answer out of the customer service people... who told me I could "reapply after I fixed the (nonexistent) problems!! Yea right. To boot they now will not pay me the $250 cash back reward to use at Costco because my account is cancelled! Sounds a might fishy to me.....
Needless to say I will certainly NEVER use one of their cards again.
My husband went to pay something with our Amex card, and it was declined...strange the bill had just been paid in full! When we got home I called to make sure there wasn't some kind of fraudulent activity or whatever, and to my shock and dismay was told our account had been cancelled on January 10th....the day after they processed the full balance of our statement's payment! They said there were problems with my credit report from Experian, and that my OTHER credit card balances were too high...
I called back this morning and was told there were "negative impacts" on my credit report, high balances, delinquent accounts, and "too many credit inquiries"--3 in the last 30 days.
I called Experian. They were incredulous! Turns out 2 out of the 3 "inquiries" were THEIRS, and this is very routine for credit card companies. There are NO negatives in my report, ALL of my accounts are in "Good Standing" (no great surprise since I have never been late on a payment, and always pay more than the minimum balance). They could not fathom what bone American Express would have to pick with it.
So where does that leave someone other than in an embarrassing situation of having a card declined for NO GOOD REASON, and be unable to get a straight answer out of the customer service people... who told me I could "reapply after I fixed the (nonexistent) problems!! Yea right. To boot they now will not pay me the $250 cash back reward to use at Costco because my account is cancelled! Sounds a might fishy to me.....
Needless to say I will certainly NEVER use one of their cards again.
Comments:
Posted by Ghost of Doc J on 2009-01-12:
Amex is proactively reeling in credit. I remember the days when 'fiscallly perfect' was required just to get an Amex card and the card was a bit of a status symbol if you had one. Those days are returning. About time.
Posted by Newcomer on 2009-01-19:
AMEX just reduced me line of credit to the point where it's not even worth keeping the card...and without ANY reason either.
In your case I assume that you paid a annual fee to AMEX. If so, I would get Costco involved to get the credit from them for your purchases (i.e. 3% gas, 2% restaurants, etc). This is something AMEX passes on to Costco and the annual refund (due soon) comes from Costco. Second, I'd get back with AMEX and insist that they give you a refund for the "unused" portion of the annual fee you paid to them.
If you don't get any satisfaction from AMEX, threaten them with getting your state's agency involved that deals with consumer credit complaint issues.
Good luck!
In your case I assume that you paid a annual fee to AMEX. If so, I would get Costco involved to get the credit from them for your purchases (i.e. 3% gas, 2% restaurants, etc). This is something AMEX passes on to Costco and the annual refund (due soon) comes from Costco. Second, I'd get back with AMEX and insist that they give you a refund for the "unused" portion of the annual fee you paid to them.
If you don't get any satisfaction from AMEX, threaten them with getting your state's agency involved that deals with consumer credit complaint issues.
Good luck!
Posted by goodfella on 2009-01-20:
Same exact thing happened to me today. Will be contacting Attorney General, FTC, and will be attempting a class action lawsuit. According to Costco rep, there have been many complaints just like this today alone.
Was expectin a $500 rebate come February.
Was expectin a $500 rebate come February.
Posted by Ghost of Doc J on 2009-01-20:
From other complaints on this site, a good amount of the cancellations by Amex were opened at Costco prior to the Christmas holiday. Could there be a bit of collusion between Costco and Amex to boost Costco's sales late in the 3rd quarter?
Posted by irate in VT on 2009-01-29:
Update: I have sent tersely worded letters to Costco and the CEO of AMEX... seems I have gotten some response, but no apology: They put my rebate as a credit to the closed card. What remains to be seen is how this will play out since I can't use it with my card closed! It is not their normal way of handling the rebate, which is normally a check payable to Costco. So my assumption is it is an attempt to mollify me. However, if my credit report is dinged, mollification will not be a possibility. Legal action will insue. They have been informed as such. So far they have not even reported the account as closed to the agencies.
Ghost of Doc J, that may be a valid point; but my card was open for 3 years, and not from 3rd quarter, so maybe not.
goodfella: if they ding my credit report and cause me more damage, count me in on a class action lawsuit!!
I'll keep you all posted with any further progression in this ridiculous situation!
Ghost of Doc J, that may be a valid point; but my card was open for 3 years, and not from 3rd quarter, so maybe not.
goodfella: if they ding my credit report and cause me more damage, count me in on a class action lawsuit!!
I'll keep you all posted with any further progression in this ridiculous situation!
Posted by EmpressU on 2009-02-14:
Just another ripped off Costco/AMEX customer - Costco says they will not honor the rebate since the card was canceled by AMEX. Massive consumer fraud, I think.
Posted by kevinblack on 2009-03-15:
I have the exact same story. If anybody is getting some traction putting something together here please let me know.
Amex customer since 2000, last year I decided to get the Costco AMEX and was due 400$+ come February. Card canceled in January with no reason and no notice. These people are scumbags and I will never work with them again.
Amex customer since 2000, last year I decided to get the Costco AMEX and was due 400$+ come February. Card canceled in January with no reason and no notice. These people are scumbags and I will never work with them again.
Posted by recordstudio on 2009-03-22:
Same story on my end as well. I actually called and a customer service rep said may check should arrive within 10 days. After 10 days I gave them another called and talked to Ms. Grant (who said she was the highest supervisor working at the time) and said I had to wait until June to receive a credit on my CANCELED account, then call back a request a check to be sent if my account stays in good standing (keeping in mind the account is paid off in full and I have never missed a payment) So after spending a half hour on the phone with Ms. Grant she gave me the phone number of her boss 1-866-391-1460 and said her name was Ms. Bozo. Ms. Bozo boss is Ms. Hartman (would not give me a phone number) and her boss is Doria Camaraza
Posted by recordstudio on 2009-03-22:
Here are some address I received today.
Doria Camaraza
777 American Express Way
Ft. Lauderdale, Fl. 33337
And to file a judgment against AMEX
43 Butterfield Circle
El Paso, Tx. 79906-5202
NEXT STEP WE GO TO THE MEDIA
Doria Camaraza
777 American Express Way
Ft. Lauderdale, Fl. 33337
And to file a judgment against AMEX
43 Butterfield Circle
El Paso, Tx. 79906-5202
NEXT STEP WE GO TO THE MEDIA
Posted by Toni I. on 2009-03-23:
Same story here:
I am an American Express Costco TrueEarnings Card member and I am upset that I have not yet received my Costco rebate coupon, which was supposed to be mailed to me during the first week in February, which is now over six weeks ago!
I have made three separate calls to the American Express Customer Service Department asking them to send me the rebate coupon, but I have been getting the runaround.
The first time I called (which was on February 23rd), I was told that I had to wait at least a month from the date that the coupon was issued before I could request a replacement. The second time I called (which was on March 6th), I was told that a replacement coupon would immediately be sent out and I would receive it within a week. The third time I called (which was on March 20th), I was told that I would have to wait another two weeks (no earlier than April 6th) before I could request a replacement of the replacement coupon!
I have verified that American Express has my current mailing address and telephone numbers on file.
This is outrageous! If it weren't for that fact that I would lose the $69.00 coupon if I were to cancel my account right now, I would tell American Express to take their card and shove it!
I want American Express to IMMEDIATELY issue me my Costco rebate coupon. I do not wish to wait another two weeks before they will issue me a second replacement of the coupon which I should have received over six weeks ago!
I am an American Express Costco TrueEarnings Card member and I am upset that I have not yet received my Costco rebate coupon, which was supposed to be mailed to me during the first week in February, which is now over six weeks ago!
I have made three separate calls to the American Express Customer Service Department asking them to send me the rebate coupon, but I have been getting the runaround.
The first time I called (which was on February 23rd), I was told that I had to wait at least a month from the date that the coupon was issued before I could request a replacement. The second time I called (which was on March 6th), I was told that a replacement coupon would immediately be sent out and I would receive it within a week. The third time I called (which was on March 20th), I was told that I would have to wait another two weeks (no earlier than April 6th) before I could request a replacement of the replacement coupon!
I have verified that American Express has my current mailing address and telephone numbers on file.
This is outrageous! If it weren't for that fact that I would lose the $69.00 coupon if I were to cancel my account right now, I would tell American Express to take their card and shove it!
I want American Express to IMMEDIATELY issue me my Costco rebate coupon. I do not wish to wait another two weeks before they will issue me a second replacement of the coupon which I should have received over six weeks ago!
Posted by SDwantstosueAmex on 2009-03-23:
I had a similar experience. Paid my balance in full in January. Feb 1st Amex billed me for my next year's membership and then canceled my account ( stated I maintained high balances on my other credit cards even when my balance with AMEX was $0 ). I got them to reverse the charge on the $100 membership fee but they refuse to give me my $111.07 Cash Rebate earned from the previous year's purchases. My anniversary date for membership was Feb 1st. They were able to process another year's membership fee but couldn't issue a Cash Rebate?
I contacted AMEX 4 times regarding this matter. Today I received a letter stating my dispute with AMEX would not be resolved and they send apologies for the inconvenience + they appreciate my understanding in the matter ( sent from H. Figueroa Customer Service Supervisor )
Anyone filing a class action lawsuit?
I'm ready to file in San Diego court as an individual claim but would love to be included in a class action suit or start one here.
Please contact me if you are already developing a case against them.
I contacted AMEX 4 times regarding this matter. Today I received a letter stating my dispute with AMEX would not be resolved and they send apologies for the inconvenience + they appreciate my understanding in the matter ( sent from H. Figueroa Customer Service Supervisor )
Anyone filing a class action lawsuit?
I'm ready to file in San Diego court as an individual claim but would love to be included in a class action suit or start one here.
Please contact me if you are already developing a case against them.
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