Consumer complaint received 2021-05-26
Company: AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
State: LA
Product: Credit card or prepaid card
Sub-product: General-purpose credit card or charge card
Issue: Problem with a purchase shown on your statement
Sub-issue: Credit card company isn't resolving a dispute about a purchase on your statement

Complaint:
We were evacuated during hurricane XXXX by the state of Louisiana and we were in a motel for many weeks, we went months without no mail. Used credit card for everything, FEMA reimburse us for most of the cards. We had very poor living conditions where we were housed. FEMA was doing bank deposits to our accounts to cover these bills and then we were doing bank draft 's to the credit card company. They later claimed we did not pay them. They had double billed us and I would file dispute which went on since XX/XX/2020 to now. They would remove charge then week later put it back, pus add extra fees. Billed on charges with wrong dates, billed before we were evacuated. I closed the account, paid them over {$7000.00} in a few months then they turned it over to a collection agency. Tried to destroy my credit with credit reporting agencies. They finally removed most of the charges giving credits but never notified collection agency and now they are threatening me on charges that do not exist. They also failed to report the changes to credit reporting agency. I paid bill in full but {$50.00} and then they added charges which I had already paid. Hey claim the disputes were with motel when they were with the credit card company. American Express has taken advantage of our misfortune, took advantage of us with the fact that we didn't get mail for many months and we were making our payments without seeing bills and going by their good faith their word which turned out to be no good. Had been a customer with him for many years never was late late on a payment always paid my bills in full. As I said I gave them over {$7000.00} within several months. When we did get back to our home we were homeless lost everything our home and everything we own. XXXX XXXX XXXX is the collection agency and even after I called them they did not believe what I told them. Now I have received another threatening letter on charges I do not owe and even after American Express credit the account back they failed to notify the collection agency and is still trying to collect on money I do not owe. I have copies of it all. I'm homeless and living with a relative and isn't not enough American Express is now trying to destroy my credit and my character. I believe this is being done because I paid off the balance fast and they did not get to charge me high interest and extra fees. American Express failed to report the {$7000.00} to the credit reporting agencies also. Bottom line instead of using the money to secure me housing I paid my bills and for my actions and good faith they have turned my image into a lying thief. Now this collection agency is trying to collect on funds not owed. That can't be legal. American Express has preyed on the fact that we lost everything and have no funds to fight them. Beware check your statement non stop.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation