Consumer complaint received 2025-08-08 00:00:00
Product: Credit card — General-purpose credit card or charge card
Issue: Other features, terms, or problems — Privacy issues
Company: AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
State: FL

Complaint narrative:
The last time I used my American Express XXXX XXXX was a little before XXXX XXXX. I have had this card over 30 years. In mid XXXX, I looked everywhere for the card. I could not find it. I knew it was in the house but I have XXXX cats, and if i set down on counter, it could be anywhere...... to date I have not found it...... but i did not call them to report it lost or stolen. I told them it was in the house but i could not locate it. The representative told me it did not matter, he needed to issue number...... then he told me he could not do that unless i gave him my full social security number. I refused. The call ended up unresolved. I called back. Automation informed me that it appeared i was asking for card replacement and they could not do that as a new number was needed. I remained on hold. When rep finally got to line I requested fraud dept. The woman told me she was based in SC. She explained to me that during the 30 plus years that i had the card that particular series had been exhausted so she needed my full social security number as it was just like she was opening a new account for me. OKXXXX i understood what she was saying but when I opened the XXXX account, I gave them my full Social Security numberXXXX since about age XXXX, I was schooled to NEVER give my full Social Security number over the phone. American Express website states they will never ask for it! But she would not issue new card unless i gave her my whole number. I gave it to her. She stated i would receive card on XX/XX/XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX no cardXXXX I called backXXXX rep wanted my ss number againi! I refused. She finally stated oh she found it and would get new card issued and i would receive expedited by XX/XX/XXXX XXXX today is XX/XX/XXXX. No cardXXXX  I called back and got a rep that explained to me AGAIN how new acct needed and i told her I knew all of that, I had gone thru this in XXXX XXXXXXXX and asked to be connected with fraud again XXXX I got a woman who was pleasant enuf and she stated that she saw where the woman requested acct but did not go thru XXXX  For a second time, I had to give my full ss number XXXXXXXX what is it that American Express does with my number? Because i have been getting some strange charges on XXXX I have had to fight! But it got worseXXXX twice I had to verify my DOBXXXX then she asked me for my drivers lic number! You are not required to put a drivers lic number on any new credit card application. Let alone I was customer over 30 yrs. I told her noXXXX I am XXXX going on XXXX and have not driven in close to a year. I work XXXX hrs a week and my husband takes me. I advised her that i would give to her my State of Florida photo embedded issued id number as a licensed security guard that did not expire until the end of XX/XX/year>XXXX  I even told her that it was issued by the FL State Dept of Agriculture and Consumer AffairsXXXX they wanted my drivers licXXXX I adivised her that was ridiculous and i in fact do know many people who have credit cards that do not drive! I had no need for a state id as I had one thru the State already XXXX  at least until the end of XX/XX/year>. WEll, I was on a hard hold for at least 12 minutes. She came back and read me disclosures like i was XXXX applying for my first cardXXXX she then told me i should have it within 10 daysXXXX I can almost guarantee you that i will NOT GET MY CARDXXXX I asked her would she also like to know the hospital i was born in and my Dads burial site?? NEVER, ever have i been asked for my full social security number, not even by XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX and a drivers license as well?? That is flat out ridiculous even if I had LOST the card, which I did not! I do know from being an employee of XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX and collections that if you have someones social and a drivers licXXXX well you pretty much can do anythingXXXX and keep in mind, I may have callled American Express but with the hacking that goes on, I might have reached XXXX. This is XXXX percent not acceptable even if i had only been a customer for 2 years, let alone over XXXX. And like i saidXXXX when you fill out an application for a new credit card, it does ask you for your social security number. Never, does it ask for your drivers license.

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief