Consumer complaint received 2021-10-04
Company: AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
State: FL
Product: Credit card or prepaid card
Sub-product: General-purpose credit card or charge card
Issue: Trouble using your card
Sub-issue: Can't use card to make purchases

Complaint:
AMERICAN EXPRESS RE : Closing of credit card accounts with no explanation To Whom It May Concern : I am complaining about American Express unlawful sales practices to force us customers to open accounts that immediately are closed and harming us as a consumer and my credit score rating as well.

I believe sales people misled me by pushing me to open new accounts in an attempt to boost sales but knowingly would close the accounts almost immediately after opening. As a result, my credit score was ruined and my relationship with other potential credit cards was harmed. 
On XX/XX/XXXX I applied for a new credit card AX Magnet with an offer of {$200.00} cash back if I spent {$1000.00} in the first three months plus 0 % intro for 15 months and no annual fee. I was immediately approved same day with a credit limit of {$9500.00} and the card was shipped. My credit score at the time was XXXX almost perfect. On XX/XX/XXXX next day I was notified by email that my credit card had been cancelled. There was no reason given but AX was letting me know that not to use card to avoid any surprises. A hard inquiry was done on my credit report when I applied. But also, a bad history was reflected on my credit score due to the cancellation of the credit cards. My credit score went down.

Regarding the AX Magnet card, I had called earlier a couple of times asking if it was ok to apply for a new AX card in the previous months. The previous 2 cards I had recently were closed in XX/XX/XXXX without a reason. I was confused what is going on. I was told and coerced by sales people that all the offers would apply and to go ahead and apply again in like 3 months. I was told it was ok to apply to as many and that they did not know why my accounts were closed a XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX and an Amex XXXX  XXXX. I was told I would be approved and no problem and all offers applied. I was misled in an attempt to boost sales knowingly that my account would be closed. Whenever I called AX to inquire into my account, salespeople misrepresented awards and fees. On one occasion on XX/XX/XXXX I was pushed into signing for the XXXX XXXX XXXX with {$0.00} annual fee. Regular is {$95.00} dollars. I was told that as a XXXX XXXX XXXX card holder my new card would be free and I could enjoy all the benefits of a preferred member. No credit check and just accept the terms. I was told that after the first year the card would be {$95.00} dollars. I did not see any benefits of having the XXXX XXXX XXXX shortly thereafter and I expressed my frustrations letting some of the reps that after the first year I would not renew it and that if I could back to my old XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX. I was told no problem here at AX dont push customers into signing nothing they dont want. Well to my surprise 2 months later on XX/XX/XXXX my card was cancelled and no reason given. I kept calling trying to find a reason but nobody seemed to have an answer. One rep told me that it could have been because of too many disputes on my credit cards. But all of my disputes were fair and legit and as a cardholder I had the right to dispute certain merchants. I believe AX used aggressive and misleading sales tactics go boost its sales knowingly they just wanted to add numbers but not keep customers for the long haul and that did not pay for yearly premiums.

I am upset that my credit score was ruined and that AX misled me into applying into their credit card offers, knowingly they would be cancelling my credit cards in a limited time. I was harmed as a result of their misleading sales tactics and customers retention rules and policies. I want to also add that I believe in their products and currently have opened a High Yield Savings Account XXXX with AX. The account has a balance of about {$15000.00}. I opened this account even after my accounts were cancelled this year XXXX. 
Up to this point no reason has been given of why my cards were cancelled. I believe American Express has violated some rules and regulations that require further investigation by regulatory agencies. 
Thank you in advance for your understanding.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation