On May 5th, 2009 a letter arrived in my mailbox. It was from American Express informing me that they have canceled my American Express Blue card. I've had this card for several years now and for the past 2-3 years it had zero “owed” balanced on it. I haven't used it, but I kept it open. To my surprise the letter from AMEX signed by nobody in particular, said it was being canceled due to “serious delinquency on one or more of your accounts”.
Again, as I recollected all of my accounts and with Amex specifically, I had no such delinquency.
So I called the number listed in the letter (1-866-815-9595) to find out why my Blue card was canceled.
The Amex customer service associate named Samantha looked up my account and confirmed that yes, it is in fact has been canceled as of May 5, 2009 due to delinquency on my accounts. I interrupted her and said “I have zero balance on this account,” noting that this is the only account I have with Amex.
Samantha said that this has to do with my “other accounts”.
“What other accounts?”
“We received a copy of your credit report,” she said “And your credit score has gone down.”
“What???” I asked, “What does it have to do with my American Express account??”
“And why do you receive copies of my credit report?”
Samantha informed me that this is a regular practice and they review accounts periodically and close them based on the credit report score.
She gave me the number of Experian, who sent them a copy of my report: 1-888-397-3742
I asked her to read to me my new “lowered” credit score.
She said she didn't have the actual report in front of her and couldn't do that.
“Great,” I thought. I called Experian and requested a free copy of my credit report by mail, which by the way, takes 10 business days.
While I'm waiting for a copy of my credit report, an explanation from Experian why they send my credit report to Amex, a reply back from Amex Public Affairs Office on why they receive copies of my credit report and what right do they have to implement such practices, I have one other useful number for you.
1-888-567-5688 – This is a number to cancel the use of your credit report for marketing purposes.
It lets you to opt out for 5 years.
I have to say that even though my Amex Blue card was pretty (it really was), I will not miss it very much.
The interest rates have gone up to more than 13% and most stores do not accept this card anyway.
I was at H&M store in San Francisco just about a week ago and I asked them why they don't take this card.
The store cashier said it was because their fees were too high.
So go ahead, cancel away.
I really don't want it.
PS. I think it's funny that this is being done while the congress is reviewing the credit card bill of rights, protecting consumers from hikes in percentages and fees. I feel like my card holder rights have been violated.
My case is a copy of yours….It exactly happened the same with my blue car.
By march this year I was receiving invitations from Amex to apply for a platinum one!!!
What is most ridiculous is that I obtained my blue card once I arrive in the us based on my foreign Amex…so “0″ US credit!
Never again amex in my life…they are not trustworthy, but I still thank them, I did not wasted my time and I obtained better cards in the meantime thanks to the good credit record I built with them….precisely what they now say is “bad”
Amazing….
identical issue for me. had card since 2003 and had a zero balance. had recently (2 months ago) charged $2000 and then immediately payed it off when the statement came. funny that i have enough capital to do that and my “proportion of balances to credit limits is to high”
My family has trusted AmEx for years and it is sad to see what they have become.
The exact same situation happened to me as well. As an on-time payer and never-over-my-limit user of AMEX for 9 years, I was given the same notice of cancellation. The exact same wording. I had a limit that they raised on me over the years without my request up to 16,500 dollars. I had a balance of $35 when they cancelled. I only used the card at Costco. I wonder if Costco will continue to do business with them if this AMEX tactic causes Costco to lose business? I like Costco, they should think of going to Visa.
Is it possible that a credit card company gets away with this? My green American Express card which I only use for my company travel expenses was canceled for the same lame reason mentioned above. Only that I was on my way to Mexico in a business trip not knowing what had just happened a day ago with my Amex. I had never carried an outstanding balance and my use of the card was paid immediately after use. I spend over $5000 on average monthly for business travel – all paid back the second I got back.
Is anyone out there know a way to get back at this unconscionable company?
What is the reason for American Express canceling your card?
flooring
It appears AMEX is on a advertising blitz to sucker new customers. I think all of us that had our cards canceled, should contact our Congress persons and file a complaint that Amex is in violation of the Truth in Lending Act. There should be a warning in the ads stating what they have done in the past and that by signing up with AMEX your credit report can be negativly impacted at any time.
I had AMEX green, gold and platinum accounts running back to roughly 1989-1990. I used the cards for business and personal expenses, racking up well over $150K/year in charges. AMEX suddenly dropped me because of my credit report, which it turns out had two errors on it. I started the process to correct the errors on my credit report and called AMEX to try to reinstate my account, but they would not listen (my credit report is now clear of the negative errors). An AMEX rep did, however, agree to let me redeem my 50,000+ points within 30 days. I transferred the points to Hilton and later booked a complete trip with the points This closed the door on my long relationship with AMEX. I am big spender and was always a fan of AMEX prior to this.
Amex really does great tv ads. Recently, in Alecia Keys Concert in New York… makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside
By the way things work these days, you are lucky your card had been canceled without paying any extra money for it. Most credit card companies take advantage of any small bad credit score, by lowering your credit line and increasing the interest rates. Something similar happened to me, i got to the point where i was covered in debts, being unable to pay in time for my credit card or my bills. Anyways, i had been advised by a financial counselor and things got better now. I applied for a credit card consolidation and paid most of my debts. I still owe money but the monthly paid amount is much smaller and i succeed making a living using my income only, without having any credit cards help anymore.
I've got my card cancelled as well, even if I was using it. And it happened while I was looking at some Melbourne hotels, trying to put together a summer holiday for me and my family. I was quite disappointed myself when I found out.
I want to appreciate the author. I loved to read that. Thank you so much for sharing the post with all. You are bookmarked.
salt lake city mazda
All acclaim accessories are acutely agitated these canicule due to the acutely top absence rates. pass4sure 640-553 While it may not accomplish faculty from a chump account point of view, pass4sure SY0-101 the CC companies apparently feel that locking down the “offending” botheration anon is their best recourse, pass4sure 642-446 and accord with the after account affair at a after date.
I have hardly ever used my blue card either. It may be attractive to look at, but the rate is not at all attractive. I let it go last year when I heard stories like yours online. Plastic is passe anyway. We'll soon be buying things through our cell phones.:-) Used Cars Indiana
I have been Faithful Customer of AMEX Jet Blue for 3 years
Never had a late payment, paid most of them in full.
I had over $100 worth of reward point ready to claim
but they are no longer available because AMEX closed my account
without any notice. I called the customer service, and they didn't give me any reasonable explanation and said they could do nothing about it. I asked for supervisor, same thing. Never ever rely on AMEX..fas 133 hedge
That is very unfortunate but you should talk to them and insist on whatever you want.
Cash for Gold
I agree with you. You have given to us with such an large collection of information. Great work you have done by sharing them to all simply superb.
-steel supply
All acclaim accessories are acutely agitated these canicule due to the acutely top absence rates.Sri Lanka Hotels
Srry for this
Mercedes-Benz Mobil Mewah Terbaik Indonesia
Mercedes-Benz Mobil Mewah Terbaik Indonesia
Mercedes-Benz Indonesia
Mercedes-Benz Indonesia
baju pesta
reseller baju