AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY

2019-06-19

IL

Other features, terms, or problems

Credit card or prepaid card: General-purpose credit card or charge card

Other problem
Complaint: This is a re-submitted Complaint CFPB Ref No : XXXX We received a letter from American Express, dated XX/XX/2019, ( AmEx Ref : XXXX ) that they could not respond to our complaint because they needed authorization from XXXX to provide information to respond to the complaint. Subsequently, we received an e-mail from the CFPB that the complaint was closed because American Express was not able to provide a response because we had not provided that authorization. That letter directed us to call XXXX, which we did today ( XX/XX/2019 at XXXX Central time ). Unfortunately, after speaking with 3 representatives ( XXXX, XXXX and XXXX ), American Express refused to allow us to provide that authorization. Instead, they directed us back to filing a complaint within American Express, which we had already done. For that reason, we are re-lodging our initial complaint for the reasons stated therein. And, we further allege that American Express ' practices in responding to CFPB complaints constitutes an additional violation of consumer financial protection laws in that those practices have the intended and actual effect of presenting consumers from successfully lodging complaints with the CFPB and other regulators.
Company Response: Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2019-06-19

Columbia, SC

Incorrect information on your report

Credit reporting, credit repair services, or other personal consumer reports: Credit reporting

Account status incorrect
Complaint: I enrolled in a debt management program to manage my American Express credit card account. American Express agreed to the terms of the program. I make the agreed upon payment of {$650.00} toward the balance each month, but they continue to flag my account monthly as " Account charged off/Never late. {$30000.00} written off '' ; however the debt is being paid, as per the agreement, and therefore does not qualify as a charge off. This consistently negatively affects my credit score and the flagged information is not accurate.
Company Response: Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2019-06-19

Bloomington, MN

Problem with a purchase shown on your statement

Credit card or prepaid card: General-purpose credit card or charge card

Card was charged for something you did not purchase with the card
Complaint: I experienced fraud on my American Express Corporate Card in XX/XX/XXXX. While I was travelling in XXXX XXXX ( XXXX and Connecticut ), I noticed 3 XXXX charges from XXXX, XXXX. I immediately called Amex and was transferred to the fraud department. We identified the charges as fraudulent and I filed a claim. I was issued a provisional credit and was told it would be made permanent on the conclusion of the investigation. I called back several weeks later and was told the investigation was still ongoing. ( It was unclear why much investigating was required given I had charges at physical locations in Massachusetts the same day. ) I was told the case required a maximum of 45 days to resolve, yet there was never a permanent credit issued. I called today, in XX/XX/XXXX, and was told that there was no case and no credit had been issued ( apparently my case had been lost. ) I had to provide all the information again and was told my case ( XXXX ) will now take another 45 days to resolve. Given how this is obviously fraud and I have already filed a case, I find this timeline unacceptable and have told your representative that. I expect to be issued a full credit immediately - this is not a difficult investigation and two minutes of analyzing a statement will make apparent that there has been fraud.
Company Response: Closed with monetary relief

Timely Response

2019-06-19

Brentwood, TN

Other features, terms, or problems

Credit card or prepaid card: General-purpose credit card or charge card

Problem with rewards from credit card
Complaint: I requested that AMEX send me my Reward Dollars in a check. The first time I called I was told I had to wait a month while the rewards were posted to my account. When they were posted I could request the refund. I waited the month and called back. I spoke with a representative named XXXX # XXXX who said there was no record of my first call. She said she would correct the matter and I would have a check within 7 days. I waited until XXXX-19, and called again and was told again there was no record of me calling at all. I asked for a supervisor and spoke with XXXX # XXXX who said there was no record of either of my requests and nothing was done on my account. She said would contact her superiors to have the inaction on my first 2 calls investigated. She said she personally had my rewards posted to my next statement and when they appeared I had to call again and request a check at that time.
Company Response: Closed with monetary relief

Timely Response

2019-06-19

Cross Key, FL

Getting the loan

Payday loan, title loan, or personal loan: Installment loan

Company Response: Closed with monetary relief

Timely Response

2019-06-19

VT

Fees or interest

Credit card or prepaid card: General-purpose credit card or charge card

Charged too much interest
Complaint: See complaint attached. AMEX told me that I had to call and speak to The XXXX in order to have my APR/Interest rate lowered. I endured having to speak to that thing in mid-XXXX to late XXXX, after numerous attempts trying to get ahold of her for or her back up via phone for over a week. When we finally spoke on the phone, she talked over me and wouldn't let me get a word in. However, she did say she would apply the lower APR/interest rate to my account. She did not apply the lower interest rate to my account - which she claimed she would if I called and wasted my life talking to her via phone. This is contrary to what AMEX represented in their answer to my previous CFPB complaint. When I checked my account today, my APR/Interest rate was still over 24 %, and not the lower APR of 14 % I was promised if I called. I'm not calling again.
Company Response: Closed with non-monetary relief

Timely Response

2019-06-19

VT

Problem with a purchase shown on your statement

Credit card or prepaid card: General-purpose credit card or charge card

Credit card company isn't resolving a dispute about a purchase on your statement
Complaint: XXXX XXXX.XXXX - NEW YORK {$260.00} I returned {$170.00} worth of clothing from this purchase on XX/XX/19 to a XXXX XXXX XXXX store in Vermont. The refund was not processed correctly and I did not see the refund posted to my AMEX account. After waiting over 5 days for the merchant to refund my money, I filed a dispute with AMEX, provided a copy of the refund receipt, but have not received a temporary credit on my account for the disputed amount while the dispute is being investigated. I'm being held responsible for the full charge while the dispute is being investigated - which I was told could be up to a month, even though I provided written evidence of the receipt for the refund. AMEX told me that they will not issue a temporary credit on my account until next month. This is not a permanent refund amount, this is a temporary credit they would issue while they look into the dispute. I've gone round and round with AMEX and they still insist on jerking me around - like they have several times in the past few months. STOP TREATING YOUR CUSTOMERS LIKE XXXX! I provided the refund receipt - issue me a refund like I deserve!
Company Response: Closed with monetary relief

Timely Response

2019-06-19

TN

Advertising and marketing, including promotional offers

Credit card or prepaid card: General-purpose credit card or charge card

Didn't receive advertised or promotional terms
Complaint: I signed up for a XXXX XXXX American Express card that came with a sign-up bonus of 60,000 Membership reward points after meeting some minimum spending. Some background is that this card requires you to have an account with XXXX XXXX. Also background, American Express views signing up for a credit card and then closing the card after receiving the sign-up bonus as rewards abuse. Well I met the minimum spending and received the 60000 points. Then, months later, XXXX XXXX mysteriously closed my account. The only reason I have been able to put together was one bounced check that I had written years ago. They had closed my account back then even after I pleaded to them that it was a mistake and tried to properly fund my account. Well, apparently XXXX saw that I had previously been a customer and decided to close my account again. This then triggered American Express to close my account. That ticked me off, but whatever, I understood that a XXXX account was required in order to have that credit card. However, today I received notice that Amex has determined I abused the card by signing up and cancelling it! I didn't cancel it, they did! Now they have removed 60,000 points from my account which is well over {$600.00} in value! I tried to call them and explain but they simply said they could not refund those points since the account was closed. This is classic bait and switch. They don't have the right to take these points away from me when I did not violate the terms. I am pleading to you, CFPB, please hold Amex accountable. Thank you!
Company Response: Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2019-06-18

Phoenix, AZ

Problem with a purchase shown on your statement

Credit card or prepaid card: General-purpose credit card or charge card

Credit card company isn't resolving a dispute about a purchase on your statement
Company Response: Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2019-06-18

Weston, CT

Problem with a purchase or transfer

Credit card or prepaid card: General-purpose prepaid card

Charged for a purchase or transfer you did not make with the card
Company Response: Closed with monetary relief

Timely Response

2019-06-18

Foothill Ranch, CA

Took or threatened to take negative or legal action

Debt collection: Credit card debt

Threatened or suggested your credit would be damaged
Complaint: From : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, CA XXXX XXXX To : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, CA XXXX Phone : ( XXXX ) XXXX Subject : This account is under the XXXX XXXX XXXX Program This is to notify you that this account is being processed by the XXXX XXXX XXXX Program and Ive been instructed to NOT make further monthly payments so that it can be negotiated and processed under the XXXX XXXX XXXX Program. This is my formal notice that this account # XXXXXXXX for {$1500.00} will be handled by XXXX XXXX. Thank you, XXXX XXXX
Company Response: Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2019-06-18

Brooklyn, NY

Closing your account

Credit card or prepaid card: General-purpose credit card or charge card

Company closed your account
Company Response: Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2019-06-18

Wakefield, MA

Problem with a purchase shown on your statement

Credit card or prepaid card: General-purpose credit card or charge card

Overcharged for something you did purchase with the card
Company Response: Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2019-06-18

Atlanta, GA

Unexpected or other fees

Credit card or prepaid card: General-purpose prepaid card

Complaint: AMEX REFUSE TO REMOVE {$2500.00} UNAUTHORIZERED FRAUD CHARGES MADE BY XXXX XXXX XXXX ON ABOUT XX/XX/2019 AND SENT PAYMENT NOTICE DUE XX/XX/2019 FOR {$6600.00} IN WHICH IS UNREALISTIC FOR ME TO PAY BEING ON FIX INCOME ( SSI/VA XXXX VET ) AND THIS HAS CAUSED UNEXPECTED FINANCIAL HARDSHIP IN WHICH I CAN NOT PAY AND MAINTAIN STANDARD OF LIVING AS A SINGLE PARENT FATHER OF XXXX DAUGHTER AND I DISPUTE THE VALIDATION OF DEBT OWED PER 1692g FDCPA DUE TO CONFLICTING BALANCE / BILLING STATEMENT AND INFORMATION TOLD BY AMEX REP STATE A DIFFERENT AMOUNT AND STATUS OF ACCOUNT
Company Response: Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2019-06-18

S Salt Lake, UT

Problem with a purchase shown on your statement

Credit card or prepaid card: General-purpose credit card or charge card

Credit card company isn't resolving a dispute about a purchase on your statement
Complaint: American Express accounts under my name were taken over and fraudulently used by a criminal organization without my consent or authorization. I filed a police report back in 2017 due to the nature of the complaint and the detective needed various proof of information that took me over 15 months to gather to finalize the police report. I have tried to resolved the matter with American Express with no luck. Then 2 months ago I filed a XXXX complaint for them to respond which they never did. Now I am trying through the CFPB portal to resolve these debt and learn them out of my name. I was a victim of identity and fraud and don't understand why I had to jump through hoops being protected by my credit card companies in these matters. POLICE REPORT NUMBERS XXXX XXXX XXXX Detective XXXX XXXX XXXX
Company Response: Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2019-06-18

Bremen, GA

Problem with a purchase shown on your statement

Credit card or prepaid card: General-purpose credit card or charge card

Credit card company isn't resolving a dispute about a purchase on your statement
Complaint: I purchased a product from XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX on XX/XX/2019 in the amount of {$130.00}. The company offers an advertised money back guarantee within 60 days with No Hassles and No Questions. On XX/XX/2019, I contacted XXXX XXXX to request a full refund all I got was Hassled, Questioned, and Shamed for doing something wrong ; which I was not!
Company Response: Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2019-06-17

Jupiter, FL

Threatened to contact someone or share information improperly

Debt collection: Credit card debt

Contacted your employer
Complaint: some time on or about XXXX XXXX company by the name America express # account XXXX company gold card that XXXX a XXXX per year membership fee that was paid in XXXX on that statement for XX/XX/XXXX. the company have three account with American express never late or never missed payment. last year American express request a copy of the financial statement which they already request them back in XX/XX/XXXX. and the financial record was submit to America express. America express after review those financial America express re -submit the account in 24 hour and re- open the account.. just because at the time the CPA have not prepare the Tax retune for the year XXXX. the representatives for America express stated that the reason for close the account and for the request for the statement was because my husband 97 % of the charge on the card. he is my husband and he run the company he make the money. I ask American express why they cancelled all of my account. with my income being XXXX and retire income is XXXX per year and we have more XXXX a total of home hold XXXX. with over XXXX XXXX in asset.. and they already have this information on file. they could never give a good reason but your husband charge 97 % of charge. but they just took XXXX membership fee from us on the statement the first of the year .and then turn one of my account over to a collection agency a company by the name of XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX , why? for a XXXX bill that they cause not to be paid check the record never late never missed all paid my membership fee ever year. this is wrong on so many level. this harassment and discrimination, I believe this is a violation of one age just because I turn XXXX year old but I still work 82 hour a week just pay my bill.
Company Response: Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2019-06-17

Davisville, RI

Problem with a purchase or transfer

Credit card or prepaid card: General-purpose prepaid card

Card company isn't resolving a dispute about a purchase or transfer
Company Response: Closed with monetary relief

Timely Response

2019-06-17

NY

Closing your account

Credit card or prepaid card: General-purpose credit card or charge card

Company closed your account
Complaint: American Expressed closed all of my card accounts on XX/XX/2019. I had been a loyal American Express customer for over 2.5 years and had a 99 % payment rate for all of my cards. Prior to closing, I held the American Express Platinum Card, the American Express XXXX XXXX Card, the American Express Business Gold card, as well as the XXXX XXXX XXXX Card. However, I had made a large purchase with my cards ( some XXXX for my family ) that American Express deemed suspicious. As a result, American Express put my accounts under financial review. I cooperated with American Express and the IRS and provided them with as much information as I could to help alleviate any confusion over my accounts. I had filled out the form 4506-T, the request for Transcript of Tax Return, along with the cover sheet to American Express. However, I had put the incorrect address on the form as I had moved and thus the request was denied by the IRS. After submitting the form to American Express, I had to conduct XXXX training ( as I am an XXXX XXXX service member ) which put me in a location where I was unable to receive any calls, texts, or emails. American Express tried to contact me but I was unable to be reached, and they closed all of my accounts as a result. Upon returning from training, I contacted American Express and tried to explain the situation to hopefully get my accounts reopened. However, they not only denied my request, they also denied my request to reapply for those same cards. Faced with no other choice, I have resorted to filing this complaint.
Company Response: Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2019-06-17

PA

Problem with a purchase shown on your statement

Credit card or prepaid card: General-purpose credit card or charge card

Credit card company isn't resolving a dispute about a purchase on your statement
Complaint: I'm writing to report a scam I was the victim of on XX/XX/19. I'm reporting this in hopes that no one else falls for these gift card scams which have become very common. I feel there are three major issues that need to be addressed. 1. ) American Express ' lack of internal controls and fraud dection/prevention. 2. ) XXXX XXXX lax cyber security protocols that put me on the radar of gift card scammers & 3. ) [ Insert gift card companies name here ] 's lack of internal controls that allowed several anomalous gift card purchases with the same card without flagging these transactions as suspicious. I feel all these issues need to be addressed to protect consumers. The back story : I was targeted through a XXXX scam on XX/XX/19. I had money from XXXX that I was lead to believe I was going to lose unless I claimed it by a certain day ... I called the number which I thought was XXXX.. My account had been compromised and they asked if I could buy gift cards to prove it was me to claim the money ... My problem was I couldn't get into my XXXX account BC I didn't have the right password ... After talking with who I thought was XXXX they told me to buy gift cards from XXXX since they are link companies. They had all my personal information, phone number, email, address, and information on the tickets I sold to claim the money ... I was directed to buy gift cards using my American Express ( I used AMEX BC they have a stellar reputation for fraud cases ) I was sent to 5 different stores in the matter of 4 hours buying gift cards to prove it was me. I was led to believe that this was XXXX the entire time ... After I started to feel uncomfortable spending upwards of {$5500.00} on gift cards in 5 different stores I cancelled the call and imediately called America Express to explain how I was scammed and led to believe XXXX wanted me to do these things. After hours of research I found more information on gift card scam. I explained this to the people of American Express they quickly put my account on monitor to see the charges ... The charges finalized and I then called American Express back and talked to someone in the fraud department ... They pretty much told me they cant do anything to help me BC I was present when my card was used .... I explained that the purchases were made under false pretences BC I trusted these people where XXXX ... After American Express didn't help me I then called XXXX. They pretty much told me they cant do anything BC I don't have an account ... I explained they sent me emails to my personal email address telling me I had these tickets I was gon na lose the money for. I was informed that it wasn't XXXX it was a fake email account using the XXXX name. There's are several fundamental issues of negligence here. First Amex has internal controls and fraud alerts for regional charges where if a card is charged in the east coast and then the west coast within minutes as this would be impossible for a legit card holder to do. They also offer protections for rather large tip adjustments on restaurant charges. Why would AMEX not flag the purchase of {$5000.00} worth of gift cards among 20 gift cards, when gift card fraud has become a major issue these days. What if this happened to the elderly. Sadly it does and I feel AMEX doesn't have the proper controls in place to protect it's customers Another issue is XXXX XXXX possible lax cyber security. How could a these scammers get my info and contact me after a legitimate XXXX transaction? And if the leak with with XXXX, then it'd have to be with XXXX. Finally XXXX gift card services and XXXX/XXXX needs to improve it's internal controls as they are selling financial products that are widely used in fraud. These issues must be addressed as it seems there's a serious hole in the bucket here and I feel nothing will be done about it until an unfortunate amount of consumers get ripped off. Thank you for your time, XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX
Company Response: Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2019-06-17

North Las Vegas, NV

Fees or interest

Credit card or prepaid card: General-purpose credit card or charge card

Charged too much interest
Company Response: Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2019-06-17

NJ

Problem with a purchase shown on your statement

Credit card or prepaid card: General-purpose credit card or charge card

Credit card company isn't resolving a dispute about a purchase on your statement
Complaint: i hvae been an american express customer many years.On XXXX i spent 8 hours on the phone with home depot trying to order a stove they hung up on me cursed, transferred me to people who did not help me it cost me a day of work. and much upset. ihave disputed only XXXX of the purchase for those reasons and for reasons related to a problem they still have yet to respond on. i think i have a right to dispute the whole thing based on my rights and overall experience. It should not be taking so long to dispute this. i disputed it XX/XX/XXXX usually it takes 4 weeks they are not responding. its not fair i dont have the available credit. even if they respondi will too they gave me XXXX dollars off at the time that is not enough to compensate me. Please dont tell me what i have heard i am not being charged for it i want a permanent credit and the available credit restored its been 6 weeks usually it takes 4 weeks i know the law. please resolve this matter in my favor if they were goig to answer they would have this is on my business plus card
Company Response: Closed with monetary relief

Timely Response

2019-06-17

NY

Other features, terms, or problems

Credit card or prepaid card: General-purpose credit card or charge card

Problem with balance transfer
Complaint: On XX/XX/XXXX I opened an account with American Express and requested a {$5000.00} balance transfer from my XXXX XXXX Visa/XXXX XXXX account. I received a statement in the mail dated XX/XX/XXXX stating that the balance transfer had been processed and applied to my account. It had the correct account number listed, so I did not realize when quickly viewing that statement that the payment had been sent to the wrong bank and location. A few days later I received a letter from the XXXX XXXX Payments Investigations department, asking me to verify what account the American Express payment should be credited to, as they could not find an account for me. At this time I called every number I could find my XXXX XXXX Visa customer service number ( they had not received the payment ) the number listed on the check from the issuer ( they could not help me ), and finally American Express. I was told that I was unable to speak with a supervisor. I called back that evening and was hung up on by one customer service rep before speaking with another who told me he could arrange a call back. The following day ( at this point, I believe it was XX/XX/XXXX or XXXX ) I received a call-back from a supervisor who explained to me that I was one of several customers who had had their balance transfers wrongly processed by American Express, and that there was an ongoing investigation. He opened up an expedited inquiry into my particular case, as I was now showing a payment due date on the mistaken balance transfer amount for XX/XX/XXXX. He also took down the correct information regarding XXXX XXXX Visa/XXXX XXXX and their correct address. He assured me that my 15 month trial APR would not be affected by this mistake of American Expresss, and that I would have 15 months of trial APR from the time my correct balance transfer was processed. Having heard back nothing from AMEX, I called again on XX/XX/XXXX. I spoke to supervisor XXXX XXXX XXXX, who opened another investigation on my behalf and assured me that I would not receive negative credit reporting or a late fee if this was unresolved by XX/XX/XXXX ( payment due date ). At this time I was still hoping to have a new balance transfer issued to XXXX XXXX Visa/XXXX XXXX, however Ms. XXXX XXXX, unlike the previous supervisor I had spoken to, would not assure me that my 15 month trial APR would be intact. Quite the opposite. Further, she suggested that if I was to have a new balance transfer issued, the payment cycles would continue apace. So whereas a balance transfer requested on XX/XX/XXXX did not have a payment due date until XX/XX/XXXX ( nearly two months ), if I requested a new ( correct ) balance transfer on XX/XX/XXXX, I would have a first payment due XX/XX/XXXX ( less than one month ). I found both of these possibilities to be unacceptable and stated as much, but was primarily focused on getting the erroneous balance transfer resolved. I called again on XX/XX/XXXX, having heard nothing regarding the investigations, with the payment due date approaching and the {$5000.00} balance still listed on my AMEX account with no payment having been issued to XXXX XXXX Visa/XXXX XXXX. I spoke to an extremely rude and aggressive representative in the balance transfer department who first refused to let me speak to a supervisor, despite the fact that I had had to speak to supervisors twice before. When I finally was able to speak to a supervisor, I asked that the representative I spoke to receive re-training on his customer service demeanor. I was informed by the supervisor that the erroneous {$5000.00} payment to XXXX had been recovered as of XX/XX/XXXX ( though no one had informed me ) and that the payment recovery was being processed as of that day, XX/XX/XXXX. I was told, however, that it could take 3-5 business days for the payment to post, and that my best option to avoid negative credit reporting and a late payment charge would be to pay the minimum payment ( {$50.00} ), and that the {$50.00} payment would be refunded when the recovered check was processed. I asserted that this was absolutely unacceptable! There is no reason that I should be paying, even temporarily, for American Expresss mistake. I was transferred to customer service to inquire about moving the payment due date until after the recovered check would post. The customer service rep I spoke to was very kind, but ultimately was unable to help me. She could not move the payment date and make it active for this upcoming payment. She could not rush the posting of the recovered check. She tried to reassure me that American Express would not report negatively regarding my credit, but she did not state that I would receive no late payment fees. I was appreciative for her efforts, but they were unfruitful. At no point was I able to speak to someone with the power to actually resolve my issue - by which I mean cancel the {$5000.00} balance from my personal ledger, as it had never been received on my behalf by XXXX XXXX Visa/XXXX XXXX. I am processing this complaint on the due date of my expected payment payment for funds I never received!! XX/XX/XXXX. The recovered payment has still not posted to my account, and I am still showing a total balance due of {$5000.00}, minimum payment of {$50.00}. This is unacceptable.
Company Response: Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2019-06-17

Westland, MI

Managing an account

Checking or savings account: Checking account

Banking errors
Company Response: Closed with explanation

Timely Response

2019-06-17

Douglassville, PA

Problem with a purchase or transfer

Credit card or prepaid card: Gift card

Card company isn't resolving a dispute about a purchase or transfer
Complaint: I'm writing to report a scam I was the victim of on XX/XX/19. I'm reporting this in hopes that no one else falls for these gift card scams which have become very common. I feel there are three major issues that need to be addressed. 1. ) American Express ' lack of internal controls and fraud dection/prevention. 2. ) XXXX 's lax cyber security protocols that put me on the radar of gift card scammers & 3. ) XXXX XXXX lack of internal controls that allowed several anomalous gift card purchases with the same card without flagging these transactions as suspicious. I feel all these issues need to be addressed to protect consumers. The back story : I was targeted through a XXXX scam on XX/XX/19. I had money from XXXX that I was lead to believe I was going to lose unless I claimed it by a certain day ... I called the number which I thought was XXXX.. My account had been compromised and they asked if I could buy gift cards to prove it was me to claim the money ... My problem was I couldn't get into my XXXX account BC I didn't have the right password ... After talking with who I thought was XXXX they told me to buy gift cards from XXXX since they are link companies. They had all my personal information, phone number, email, address, and information on the tickets I sold to claim the money ... I was directed to buy gift cards using my American Express ( I used AMEX BC they have a stellar reputation for fraud cases ) I was sent to 5 different stores in the matter of 4 hours buying gift cards to prove it was me. I was led to believe that this was XXXX the entire time ... After I started to feel uncomfortable spending upwards of {$5500.00} on gift cards in 5 different stores I cancelled the call and imediately called America Express to explain how I was scammed and led to believe XXXX wanted me to do these things. After hours of research I found more information on gift card scam. I explained this to the people of American Express they quickly put my account on monitor to see the charges ... The charges finalized and I then called American Express back and talked to someone in the fraud department ... They pretty much told me they cant do anything to help me BC I was present when my card was used .... I explained that the purchases were made under false pretences BC I trusted these people where XXXX ... After American Express didn't help me I then called XXXX. They pretty much told me they cant do anything BC I don't have an account ... I explained they sent me emails to my personal email address telling me I had these tickets I was gon na lose the money for. I was informed that it wasn't XXXX it was a fake email account using the XXXX name. There's are several fundamental issues of negligence here. First Amex has internal controls and fraud alerts for regional charges where if a card is charged in the east coast and then the west coast within minutes as this would be impossible for a legit card holder to do. They also offer protections for rather large tip adjustments on restaurant charges. Why would AMEX not flag the purchase of {$5000.00} worth of gift cards among 20 gift cards, when gift card fraud has become a major issue these days. What if this happened to the elderly. Sadly it does and I feel AMEX doesn't have the proper controls in place to protect it's customers Another issue is XXXX XXXX possible lax cyber security. How could a these scammers get my info and contact me after a legitimate XXXX transaction? And if the leak wast with XXXX, then it'd have to be with XXXX. Finally XXXX needs to improve it's internal controls as they are selling financial products that are widely used in fraud. These issues must be addressed as it seems there's a serious hole in the bucket here and I feel nothing will be done about it until an unfortunate amount of consumers get ripped off. Thank you for your time,
Company Response: Closed with explanation

Timely Response