Consumer complaint received 2025-01-29 00:00:00
Product: Credit card — General-purpose credit card or charge card
Issue: Other features, terms, or problems — Other problem
Company: AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
State: MD

Complaint narrative:
Subject : Formal Demand for Removal of Inaccurate Credit Reporting and Compensation for Violations of Consumer Protection Laws Dear Sir/Madam, I am writing to formally demand the immediate removal of a derogatory trade account reported by American Express on my credit report. This demand is based on American Express 's failure to provide adequate debt validation in accordance with consumer protection laws and the application of the merger doctrine, which extinguishes the debt obligation under specific circumstances. 

Failure to Provide Adequate Debt Validation Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( FDCPA ), 15 U.S.C. 1692g, I am entitled to request and receive validation of any alleged debt. Despite my formal request for validation, American Express has failed to provide sufficient evidence to substantiate the debt in question. This failure constitutes a violation of federal law and has resulted in the continued reporting of inaccurate and derogatory information on my credit report. 

Application of the Merger Doctrine The merger doctrine, as recognized in property and contract law, holds that when a greater and lesser estate coincide and meet in one person, the lesser is immediately annihilated, or, in legal terms, merged. In the context of debt obligations, when the rights of creditor and debtor merge, the debt is extinguished. Given that American Express has not provided adequate validation and considering the potential application of the merger doctrine, the continued reporting of this debt is improper. 

CFPB Enforcement Actions Against American Express It is noteworthy that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ( CFPB ) has previously taken enforcement actions against American Express for violations of consumer protection laws. In XXXX, the CFPB, along with other federal agencies, found that American Express had violated various consumer protection laws at every stage of the consumer experience, from marketing to enrollment to payment to debt collection. As a result, American Express was ordered to refund approximately {$85.00} XXXX to consumers. 

Pattern of Similar Violations by American Express It is noteworthy that American Express has a documented history of engaging in practices that violate consumer protection laws. For instance : XXXX Enforcement Action : The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ( CFPB ) ordered American Express to refund {$85.00} XXXX to approximately XXXX consumers for illegal credit card practices, including deceptive marketing and unfair billing tactics. Source : CFPB Orders American Express to Pay {$85.00} XXXX Refund to Consumers Harmed by Illegal Credit Card Practices XXXX Enforcement Action : The CFPB mandated that American Express pay an additional {$59.00} XXXX to over XXXX consumers for similar illegal practices. Source : CFPB Orders American Express to Pay {$59.00} XXXX for Illegal Credit Card Practices These actions demonstrate a troubling pattern of non-compliance with consumer protection laws by American Express.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation