Consumer complaint received 2025-08-09 00:00:00
Product: Credit card — General-purpose credit card or charge card
Issue: Trouble using your card — Can't use card to make purchases
Company: AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
State: TX

Complaint narrative:
To Whom It May Concern, I am writing to formally document and express my deep concern regarding a series of disturbing actions taken by American Express that I believe constitute clear XXXX discrimination and potentially unlawful disparate treatment under federal law. 

I have been a loyal American Express customer since XXXX, currently holding four cards : one consumer card ( {$95.00} annual fee ), two traditional business cards, and one Business Gold Card ( {$370.00} annual fee ). In the five years of my membership, I have never missed or submitted a late payment. My income has remained stable, and I have consistently paid more than the minimum balance due. I also maintain an excellent credit score ranging from XXXX to XXXX. 

On XX/XX/XXXX, I received a court-issued order legally granting my name change. In accordance with this, I initiated the account update process on the American Express website. While the documentation required by American Express exceeded that of other financial institutionsincluding a copy of the court order, updated Social Security card, and state-issued drivers licenseI complied promptly and in full.

However, shortly after submitting my documentation, I began receiving multiple account alerts and adverse decisions. These included : A sudden reduction of my consumer card limit from {$12000.00} to {$1000.00}, despite a {$0.00} balance.

A denial of a minor request to expand the Pay Over Time limit on a charge card with no preset spending limit. 

New spending limits imposed without explanation. 

Threats to reduce credit limits on my business cards. 

Emails demanding unusually large payments to maintain account status. 


No changes were made to my account name despite the submitted legal documents, but significant alterations to my financial profile occurred immediately following receipt of my drivers license. Based on email timestamps and internal account changes, it is evident that these actions were taken only after verifying my identity as an XXXX American man. This timeline strongly suggests the possibility of discriminatory profiling and unfair treatment in violation of the Equal Credit Opportunity Act ( ECOA ), 15 U.S.C. 1691, which prohibits credit discrimination based on race, color, or national origin.

The harm was not limited to inconvenience. The sudden credit limit reductions forced me to execute a balance transfer to another institution in order to protect my liquidity, resulting in significantly higher interest charges, new account fees, and an overall increase in my cost of credit. This action also triggered a notable drop in my credit score, which can have long-term consequences for my financial standing.

The timing of these actions is particularly harmful. I am currently pursuing my XXXX at XXXX XXXX and the financial stress and emotional distress caused by these abrupt changes have negatively impacted both my academic performance and personal well-being. The emotional toll, coupled with the financial implications, has led me to retain legal counsel to address this matter fully. 

I have extensive documentation supporting my claims, including dated emails, credit reports, payment histories, statements, and voice recordings. For comparison, my accounts with other institutions such as XXXX, XXXX XXXX, and XXXX have grown to credit limits of {$25000.00} or more in a shorter timeframewith no missed payments and consistent usage. 

Additionally, as a public figure and social media influencer with tens of millions of views across platforms including XXXX, XXXX, and XXXX, I have remained silent out of respect for due process. However, I am fully prepared to pursue all available legal and public channels should this situation remain unresolved. 

I am offering American Express the opportunity to respond to this matter in good faith and resolve it outside of litigation. However, I am prepared to take all necessary steps to protect my rights and ensure fair and equal treatment for myself and others.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation