Consumer complaint received 2025-03-25 00:00:00
Product: Debt collection — Credit card debt
Issue: Attempts to collect debt not owed — Debt is not yours
Company: AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
State: FL

Complaint narrative:
Violations of the Truth in Lending Act ( TILA ), Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( FDCPA ), and Fraudulent Reporting ( FCRA ) This letter serves as an official dispute and demand for immediate corrective action regarding the fraudulent and deceptive practices committed by American Express in relation to the account ending in XXXX. Your failure to act in good faith, refusal to properly investigate, and blatant disregard for consumer protection laws have resulted in substantial damages to my financial standing. American Express has grossly violated the* Truth in Lending Act ( TILA ) ( 15 U.S.C. 1601 et seq. ), the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( FDCPA ) ( 15 U.S.C. 1692 et seq. ), and has engaged in fraudulent, misleading, and deceptive credit reporting practices.

I already told you to extinguish this alleged debt via mutual offset credit exemption. Other than the fact that this account was fraudulently made making it void ab initio. Identity theft making account in all caps name - fictitious name improper name to establish accounts under the all cap name. Coerced debt is a form of identity theft.

I am formally disputing your recent claim that finance charges were accurately billed to the account and asserting that American Express has blatantly violated the Truth in Lending Act ( TILA ) ( 15 U.S.C. 1601 et seq. ), the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( FDCPA ) ( 15 U.S.C. 1692 et seq. ), and has engaged in fraudulent and misleading credit reporting practices that have caused direct harm to my credit profile.

1. Breach of the Truth in Lending Act ( TILA ) Misrepresentation of Finance Charges Under 15 U.S.C. 1605 ( TILA Finance Charges ), a finance charge is defined as : The sum of all charges, payable directly or indirectly by the consumer, as an incident to or a condition of the extension of credit, including any charge imposed as a condition of extending credit.

Your claim that finance charges were accurately billed contradicts this definition and violates multiple provisions of TILA, rendering the contract void for the following reasons : Failure to Clearly Disclose Finance Charges Upfront : Nowhere in my contract was the finance charge discussed, itemized, or disclosed in compliance with 15 U.S.C. 1637 ( a ) ( 1 ) and ( 4 ), which mandates that creditors provide a clear and conspicuous disclosure of finance charges before the account is opened violating TILAs requirement that all finance charges must be disclosed before an account is opened.

If the finance charge was properly accounted for, why am I only now being informed about it? A valid contract requires full disclosure, and the failure to do so constitutes fraudulent inducement, making the contract null and void. If finance charges were accurately billed, why was I never provided with a full accounting breakdown from the start? Your failure to disclose these charges renders the contract fraudulent and unenforceable.

Contradictory Billing Practices Misrepresentation of Finance Charges : If a finance charge represents the total cost of credit, then why was I still receiving monthly bills instead of being billed for the entire finance charge upfront?

Your own statement contradicts itself by stating that interest is not charged if the balance is paid in full each month, yet improper charges were assessed even when I did not use the account. This directly violates 15 U.S.C. 1666 ( Billing Errors ), which prohibits inaccurate billing practices.

Failure to Provide Full Accounting & Documentation : I have repeatedly requested the full accounting of my alleged balance, yet American Express has only provided a billing statement, which does not constitute legitimate accounting.

Under 15 U.S.C. 1637 ( b ) ( 2 ), I am entitled to a breakdown of finance charges and fees in a manner that allows verification.

If American Express can not produce legitimate account ledgers, original agreements, and full itemized accounting records, then this further proves the entire account is fraudulent and misrepresented. Your inability to produce original documentation further proves that this account is fraudulent.

2. Violation of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( FDCPA ) Fraudulent & Abusive Collection Practices American Express is also in violation of the FDCPA ( 15 U.S.C. 1692e & 1692f ), which prohibits : False, deceptive, or misleading representations regarding a debt.

Unfair or unconscionable means to collect a debt.

The following actions by American Express constitute clear FDCPA violations : Knowingly Reporting False Information to Coerce a Payment American Express has falsely reported the status of my account to the credit bureaus in an attempt to pressure me into making a payment. 
The fluctuation of my collections activity ( XXXX % and XXXX % ), despite not using the account for over XXXX years, is clear evidence of fraudulent and improper credit reporting. 
Improper Utilization of the Account Hindering My Credit Score Credit utilization accounts for 35 % of a consumers credit score. American Expresss improper reporting practices have negatively impacted my credit utilization ratio without my consent. 
You claim that the Account Identifier Number helps to mitigate identity theft, yet my account was manipulated with random fluctuations that did not originate from me, the consumer. You claim that the Account Identifier Number helps to mitigate identity theft, yet my account was manipulated with unauthorized fluctuations, demonstrating that your internal systems fail to protect consumers. 
If the Account Identifier Number was truly meant to prevent fraud, how did my account get breached and manipulated in such a way that damaged my credit standing? 
Failure to Verify Debt Before Attempting Collection Under 15 U.S.C. 1692g, you are required to provide verification of the debt upon request.

Instead of producing an original contract and itemized account ledgers, American Express has only provided a billing statement, which is not sufficient validation of debt. American Express has engaged in fraudulent debt collection by attempting to collect on an invalid and unenforceable contractone that is void due to fraud.

I formally demand that American Express provide the license that legally permits you to collect debts in my jurisdiction.

3. American Express is Accountable for These Damages Due to the improper finance charges, deceptive billing practices, and fraudulent credit reporting, I hold American Express liable for the damages inflicted upon my financial standing as both the consumer and original creditor.

American Express Has Failed to Act in Good Faith For over two years, American Express has failed tremendously to conduct a proper investigation or take any action in good faith regarding this fraudulent account. Instead, you have : Repeatedly failed to correct fraudulent reporting on my credit file, Ignored clear evidence of identity theft, Improperly manipulated my credit utilization and account status, Attempted to coerce payment on an account that is fraudulent by nature.

falsified documentation on I the consumer for personal benefits. ( compensation on bad credit ) Your actions question the integrity of the banking system and demonstrate a reckless disregard for consumer protection laws. This contract is null and void ab initio because it was founded on fraudulent practices and violates multiple provisions of federal law.

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief