Consumer complaint received 2020-03-19
Product: Credit reporting, credit repair services, or other personal consumer reports — Credit reporting
Issue: Problem with a credit reporting company's investigation into an existing problem — Their investigation did not fix an error on your report
Company: AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY (OH)

I have been a loyal American Express Cardholder for over 24 years. The reason for this complaint is in regards to late payments made on my Amex account in XXXX and XX/XX/XXXX. At the time, I was married, and my wife was responsible for paying the bills, while I earned the majority of our household income. 

During that time, we were experiencing marital difficulties, and rather than paying my Amex account on time ( which she  knew I was highly dependent on for business expenses ) she was padding her bank account and paid her bills on time while secretly preparing for a potential divorce. I was completely unaware of this situation until I checked my credit score. At which point I confronted her with the facts, took over responsibility for paying my Amex account, and temporarily reconciling. 

Since that time I have been managing my Amex account and there has never been a late payment over 74 consecutive months. This includes the fact that I utilize my Amex card extensively, with many months exceeding {$10000.00}, while always paying on time! 

Unfortunately, the marriage reconciliation did not last and we were divorced in XXXX. Again, as noted, there has never been a late payment on my account since I took over the management of it. 

That said, my credit is still being significantly impacted by actions my ex-wife unilaterally took almost 7 years ago. It should be noted that over the past 6+ years Ive repeatedly submitted disputes to the credit bureaus, and recently directly with Amex, indicating that the late payments were not due to my actions, rather they were a result of my ex-wifes intentional mismanagement. 

While attempting to right the wrong with repeated disputes, Ive been patiently waiting for the seven-year limit to pass. However, I continue to be negatively impacted by those late-payments and the resulting impact on my FICO score ( approximately 50 points reduced versus if there werent any late payments ). Without the Amex late payments in XXXX and XX/XX/XXXX my credit score would be in the 800 's. I recently obtained a mortgage but was advised that the rate I received was significantly higher than it would have been had the Amex late payments not been on my account. 

Despite having been fiscally responsible ( every other credit account, 14 in total, in my name has perfect credit over seven-plus years ) after taking direct responsibility for managing my Amex account, I humbly believe that Im continuing to be punished for actions I was not in direct control of ; rather it was my ex-wife who intentionally made the late payments in order to damage my credit. I'm a Miltary Veteran and former XXXX XXXX XXXX who adheres to honesty and the highest ethical standards. It has been incredibly frustrating being penalized for her actions, while she paid all her bills on time and as a result has excellent credit, but not me. 

Please consider my situation, the impact it has had on me ( both financially and my deteriorating health at XXXX years old due to stress and undo anxiety in large part because of this lingering issue, which I did not cause ) and the responsible steps Ive taken to permanently remediate the situation. Then please consider removing the late payments on my credit reports so that my FICO score accurately reflects my true and actual creditworthiness so that I can finally move forward with my life including putting the situation my ex-wife intentionally inflicted on me behind me. 

Thank you for your consideration. Your response is requested.