Consumer complaint received 2025-10-29 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: VA

Complaint narrative:
XXXX XXXX XX/XX/year> Consumer Financial Protection Bureau XXXX. XXXX XXXX Washington , DC XXXX Re : Complaint Against American Express Company Unlawful Credit-Profile Review and Extra-Payment Demand To Whom It May Concern, I am submitting this complaint regarding the conduct of American Express Company ( `` AmEx '' ) concerning my credit card account ( XXXX ). I believe AmEx has acted unfairly, in violation of federal law and its own Cardmember Agreement, by demanding additional payment to maintain my credit limit, unlawfully reviewing my credit profile from other financial institutions, and requesting my personal bank statements despite perfect payment history and low utilization. 
________________________________________ 1. Description of the Issue I have maintained my AmEx account in excellent standing, never missed a payment, and consistently kept my balance well below my limit. Despite this, AmEx has repeatedly demanded that I pay a specific amount to retain my current credit limit, threatening to reduce or revoke my limit if I do not comply. AmEx representatives also indicated that they have reviewed my credit profile from other credit cards and are seeking to review my personal bank statements. 
There is no clause in my Cardmember Agreement authorizing AmEx to demand a discretionary payment outside of my regular minimum due, nor to condition my credit limit on the disclosure of my private banking information. I believe these actions violate federal consumer protections and constitute an unfair and deceptive practice. 
________________________________________ 2. Potential Violations and Legal Grounds 1. Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ), 15 U.S.C. 1681b Limits the permissible purposes for which a creditor can access or review a consumers credit report. Reviewing my credit profile from unrelated credit cards without a permissible purpose or my consent may violate this provision.

2. FCRA, 15 U.S.C. 1681s-2 ( a ) Requires furnishers of information to provide accurate and complete information to credit bureaus. Any adverse reporting related to this extra-payment demand would be inaccurate and misleading.

3. Consumer Financial Protection Act ( CFPA ), 12 U.S.C. 5531 Prohibits unfair, deceptive, or abusive acts or practices. Threatening adverse credit action or demanding bank statements and extra payments without a contractual or legal basis constitutes an unfair practice. 
4. Truth in Lending Act ( TILA ), 15 U.S.C. 1666b Requires timely and clear disclosure of any changes to credit terms. AmEx has made no such disclosures.

5. Virginia Consumer Protection Act ( Va. Code 59.1-200 ) Prohibits unfair or deceptive acts or practices in consumer transactions.

________________________________________ 3. Requested Action I respectfully request that the CFPB : 1. Investigate AmExs practice of demanding discretionary payments and reviewing unrelated credit profiles and bank statements.

2. Determine whether AmExs conduct violates the FCRA, CFPA, TILA, or applicable state law.

3. Require AmEx to cease the practice of demanding extra payments to maintain credit limits for accounts in good standing. 
4. Ensure that no adverse or misleading information is reported to credit bureaus as a result of this situation.

5. Require AmEx to provide a written explanation of its decision-making criteria and to confirm in writing that my account will not be penalized for declining to make noncontractual payments.

________________________________________ Legal Footing Summary Law Protection Application FCRA 1681b Restricts permissible purposes for accessing credit reports. Prevents AmEx from reviewing other card data without cause.

FCRA 1681s-2 ( a ) Requires accurate furnishing to CRAs. Stops false reporting if you refuse extra payment.

CFPA 5531 Bans unfair, deceptive, or abusive acts. Covers threats tied to unlawful payment demands.

TILA 1666b Requires disclosure of credit-term changes. AmEx failed to notify or document any change.

VA Code 59.1-200 Protects from deceptive business acts. Supports consumer remedies under state law. 
________________________________________ Sincerely, XXXX XXXX : All Rights Reserved XXXX XXXX XXXX : All Rights Reserved XXXX XXXX

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief