Consumer complaint received 2022-12-09
Product: Debt collection — Credit card debt
Issue: Took or threatened to take negative or legal action — Collected or attempted to collect exempt funds
Company: AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY (PA)

On XX/XX/2022, American Express issued a levy on my bank account to collect a debt. The levy was sent by XXXX XXXX, XXXX. I jointly own this bank account with my wife and she does not owe any debt to American Express. The levy was issued XXXX on this day and XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX unable to be reached for several days to rectify the situation. On XX/XX/2022 I began to handle matters with American Express 's legal team. No one will properly assist me and kept forwarding me to another representative and hanging up on me. When I finally reached someone, I authorized American Express to speak to my wife, because I needed to go back to work after dealing with this issue for a long time. On XX/XX/2022 the account manager decided to lift the bank levy, because it was brought to their attention that my bank account is exempt, because its a spousal account. Ive tried explaining that to them the day before. American Express proceeded to say that my wife is not responsible for my debt and its solely my debt. On this same day, American Express harassed my wife into setting up a payment arrangement in order for them to proceed with the levy reversal. The levy shouldnt have happened in the first place, for according to Pennsylvania law my account is exempt, which American Express just stated beforehand. The bank levy wasnt lifted in a timely fashion. On XX/XX/2022 I contacted American Express, because my bank account was still frozen and I had no update of the status. The initial representative stated they have no knowledge of my case and ask about paying the debt. I asked to speak to my account XXXX and she refused to transfer me for XXXX minutes. She stated if I pay all of the balance now then the levy is over. I hung up and contacted the courts immediately for proof that American Express had processed the levy like they stated. The courts didnt receive anything from them. I kept getting the runaround as days went on as I tried to inquire on the status of my money from American Express. American Express kept hanging up on me and being very rude. American Express took over {$18000.00} which is more than the debt I owed, putting my account to a - {$8000.00}. My bank statements show that {$7900.00} was subject to garnishment. I had no access to my money from XXXX XXXX XX/XX/XXXX ( 14 days ). It literally took me going back and forth to the courts to force the legal department to move quickly. All of this was illegal. Even though the levy has been lifted, Ive experienced severe distress. On XX/XX/2022, American Express deducted {$1800.00} from my account, leaving a total of {$19000.00} that was illegally taken. On XX/XX/2022 they attempted to deduct {$500.00} from account and again on XX/XX/XXXX. This was an absolute terrible time for this to happen, because my father in law passed away on XX/XX/2022 in which I was helping take care of him in my home while all of this was occurring. I explained to American Express that they illegally took from my spousal account and I needed my money for the hardship XXXX experiencing. I also have XXXX children. They didnt care and kept stating my account is in review as if we never rectified the situation. I lost wages for dealing with this matter. I also missed my mortgage payment. The only way I was able to survive financially, was support from family and friends due to my father in XXXX 's death. I suffered XXXX XXXX XXXX as I was trying to care for my father in law, console my wife during his death, assisted in planning a funeral, travel for the the funeral, and deal with American Express. Ive attached proof : of my father in laws death, my bank account showing the amounts also stating that my account is exempt, and legal documents.