Consumer complaint received 2020-01-05
Company: AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
State: MD
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: Credit card debt
Issue: Took or threatened to take negative or legal action
Sub-issue: Seized or attempted to seize your property

Complaint:
AMEX account closed in XXXX for unpaid charges. Called and advised them that charges were not made by me. Could not access my account. Saw my name on case search while doing a search for my employer one day. I showed for the court date. 
Per MD case search : XX/XX/XXXX- Complaint filed by AMEX .XX/XX/XXXX- XXXX served- No summons received. 
XX/XX/XXXX- Trial Date. I show up because I saw my name on case search. 
XX/XX/XXXX Affidavit Judgement Denied. Ineffective Service. Def appeared said not served. def daughter served at XXXX XXXX Clerks Office. MY DAUGHTER HAD WORKED AT THE XXXX AS A XXXX XXXX IN XXXX. HOWEVER, NO LONGER WORKED AT THE XXXX XXXX AND HAD NOT FOR QUITE SOME TIME. I did show up for the court date on XX/XX/XXXX, but The company ( XXXX ) that filed the complaint, did not. The judge should have dismissed the case right then. 
XX/XX/XXXX- XXXX XXXX XXXX filed a Motion to Reconsider or in the Alternative Set For Trial. 
XX/XX/XXXX- Judge grants Motion/Request.

XX/XX/18- XXXX Contacted XX/XX/XXXX advised that attached ORDER is for different defendant. XX/XX/XXXX- Trial Docket Sheet XX/XX/19- Request for Writ of Garnishment PROPERTY GARNISHMENT I never received any notice from anyone ) XX/XX/XXXX- Request for Service-Certified Mail, SDAT, or MIA SERVE PROPERTY GARNISHMENT-CERTIFIED MAIL ( I never received any notice from anyone ) XXXX Writ of Garnishment of Property Issued XXXX : XX/XX/XXXX ; XX/XX/XXXX XXXX Return of Service- Served ( I never received any notice from anyone ) At the trial, An attorney for XXXX was present and another individual who claimed to represent AMEX. Documents presented to the judge stated I owed over $ 17k. This was ridiculous. I did not owe this amount. This was clearly inflated charges, fees, and interest charges that were attached to the original balance. I was not allowed to examine the documents prior to or flip through them. I tried to explain to the judge that I had attempted on numerous occasions to contact AMEX about fraudulent charges and that I was not the only card holder on the account. My card/account had been used without my permission. The judge did not want to hear this or take it into account. Because I had been locked out of the account I was unable to provide any statements or proof that payment was made to the account. If the judge had even looked through the documents, maybe she would have seen that I did pay my account on time prior to going to court. 
Every time I attempted to talk or wanted to ask a question, I was immediately cut off and reminded that I was not allowed to unless I had documentation. So I was forced to accept whatever the judge said. A Judgement was awarded against me in XX/XX/XXXX for over $ 17k. XXXX XXXX XXXX and AMEX could not provide any proof that account was mine. No cardholder agreement signed. XX/XX/XXXX, I attempted to use my back card and it was declined for fraud alert. I contacted my bank ( XXXX XXXX XXXX ) and was given a number to call for more information. I called it and was advised that my account had been frozen by XXXX XXXX XXXX for non payment. I received no notice of any kind from this agency, my bank, or the court system. Furthermore, I have not been contacted in over a year since going to court to even try to arrange any payment. I have always paid my accounts on time and at no time was I contacted by anyone. How is this legal to take someones main source of income? I do not have access to any funds. I can not buy food, pay for my prescriptions, put gas in my car to go to work. I am going to have services disconnected if they are not paid. This tactic does not ensure that creditors get paid. This only causes more financial hardship for those who having difficulty. This company violated so many fair practices not to mention my constitutional rights. This puts my employment, credit, health, and family in jeopardy. This company has a history of aggressive behavior and no remorse for destroying anyones life.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation