Consumer complaint received 2024-10-07 00:00:00
Product: Credit card — General-purpose credit card or charge card
Issue: Getting a credit card — Application denied
Company: AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
State: PA

Complaint narrative:
XXXX day of XX/XX/XXXX To the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, DC XXXX Ref : XXXX  I am submitting this complaint regarding discriminatory practices and potential violations by American Express National Bank and its affiliates. 

I have reached out the company on multiple occasions via CFPB, including an email address to XXXX XXXX XXXX, dba XXXX XXXX XXXX, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer ( CEO ). 
I receive a letter from XXXX XXXX ( American Express Executive Office ) on behalf of XXXX XXXX, still with no remedy. 

Directores who may be of some assistance from AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY can be found at : https : XXXX? XXXX ( page XXXX ) I urge the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection to investigate the issues raised below and provide immediate remedies as necessary. 

/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// 1. Capacity to Contract : I affirm that I am of the age of majority and possess the legal capacity to contract. Denial of my access to principal credit based on an inability to obtain a consumer credit score constitutes age discrimination. Specifically, do you deny my ability to enter into a valid contract solely based on age discrimination? This practice unjustly penalizes me based on my age or age of credit rather than my qualifications. Denying credit based on a lack of a credit score may disproportionately affect certain groups if those groups generally have less access to traditional credit.

Furthermore, the lack of alternative methods for credit approval exacerbates this discrimination.

If you dispute this claim, can you provide the justification for such a position?

What factors influenced your decision to deny my credit application rather than considering my qualifications and financial profile?

/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// 2. Application Mismanagement : It has come to my attention that my application may have been treated as security collateral without providing me any benefit.

Can you confirm that my application has not been classified as a payment intangible or general intangible? If so, what justification do you have for this treatment?

Why was my application not assessed based on its merits rather than solely on the absence of a consumer credit score?.

What documentation can provide documentation to substantiate your position?

/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// 3. Request for Disclosure of Consumer Personal Data Monetization : I request comprehensive information regarding the collection, use, and monetization of my personal data without my explicit consent. Can you provide detailed records of how my personal data has been collected, used, and monetized? Have any third parties purchased or received my data, and if so, what are the identities of those parties and the nature of the disclosures?

/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// 4. Reference Number Significance : I would like clarification on the reference number, Ref : XXXX associated with my application, specifically the part ending in " USD. '' What intrinsic value, if any, does this designation hold? If it signifies no value, can you provide a detailed explain why it was included in my application materials? 
Additionally, will you provide an attestation from an authorized officer, specifically the, XXXX XXXX. XXXX XXXX dba XXXX XXXX. XXXX XXXX, AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY Chief Financial Officer, regarding the significance of this reference number? 

/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// 5. Impact of Full Faith and Credit Clause : How does denying my application for principal credit align with the principles embodied in the Full Faith and Credit Clause of the United States? In what ways does denying my application undermine the financial integrity and potential I seek to establish? The reliance on a consumer credit score, which American Express have been unable to procure, only restricts my access to credit resources. 

/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// XXXX. Violations and Civil Money Penalties : I believe there has been many violations of consumer protection laws that XXXX have occurred in the handling of my application and personal data? Are you aware that the unauthorized use of my personal data XXXX violate applicable data protection laws? What measures are you taking to ensure compliance with these regulations? Can you confirm that there are no violations? 
Can you disclose any civil money penalties imposed due to violations related to my personal data? What steps are being taken to address these violations, and can you provide records of any civil money penalties involved? 

/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// 7. Unauthorized Use of My Name : I believe that my name has been used in ways without my consent and that American Express or its affiliates have profited or made some type of gain from selling my personal data. 
Can you confirm whether my name has been used with or without proper authorization in your systems, and if so, provide an assessment and/or accounting of all transaction documents, including vouchers, as well as disbursement documents and receipts? 
Can you attest that these records do not exist if they can not be provided? 

/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// Provided is an Invoice for Unauthorized Use of Copyrighted Consumer Name : As the rightful owner of my name, I am issuing an invoice for any and all unauthorized use of my name. 
How do you justify the monetization of my personal data without consent, and how do you plan to address this issue? 
The details are as follows : ***Invoice for Unauthorized Use of Copyrighted Name*** Dated : XX/XX/XXXX **Consumer Name : Including any and all derivatives ( See Common Law Copyright Notice ) **Description of Unauthorized Use : Monetization of personal data without consent **Violation Infringement : {>= $1,000,000} ( per each trade-name/trademark used, per each occurence of use, plus triple damages, plus cost for each use, as well as for each and every use of any and all derivatives of, and variations in the spelling of Consumer Name **Each Use : {$4400.00} ( each use ) **Monetary Damages : {$100000.00} ***Total Amount Due : {>= $1,000,000} ( plus each use ) ***Payment Terms : This invoice requires payment within fifteen ( 15 ) business days from the date of this notice. 
How will you respond to this invoice? *** /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// 8. Charge Card Issuance : Given the aforementioned points, can you provide a timeline for issuing a charge card based on my application? Will you assure that discriminatory barriers preventing my access to principal credit will be removed?

/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// 9. Prospectus Supplement dated XX/XX/XXXX : " You will be required to make your initial payment for the debt securities in immediately available funds. Secondary market trading between XXXX participants will occur in the ordinary way in accordance with DTC rules and will be settled in immediately available funds using DTCs Same-Day Funds Settlement System. '' Do you attest to the validity of this statement from the Prospectus Supplement titled " {>= $1,000,000} American Express Company {>= $1,000,000} 5.098 % Fixed-to-Floating Rate Notes due XX/XX/XXXX {>= $1,000,000} Floating Rate Notes due XX/XX/XXXX '' dated XX/XX/XXXX, Section " Global Securities and Global Clearance and Settlement Procedures '', Page XXXX, found the link https : XXXX? 

/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// 10. Accountability for Misrepresentation : As an individual representing American Express, are you willing to provide a formal attestation regarding the accuracy and truthfulness of your responses to my inquiries? Such an attestation may be required if further action is necessitated by other authorities, including but not limited to court intervention.

/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// 11. Agencies of Concern : This complaint is directed not only to the CFPB but also to the Federal Trade Commission, the Securities and Exchange Commission, and the Comptroller of the Currency, should their oversight be applicable in this matter.

/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// This letter serves as a formal request, notice, demand, order for clarification and a record of my grievances regarding your handling of my principals credit application, as well as the implications for my personal data. I anticipate that your responses to these questions will provide clarity and transparency.

I respectfully request swift action from the federal agencies that oversee compliance with laws governing consumer rights in financial services.

I appreciate your prompt attention to these serious issues and anticipate a response within 5 business days.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Sincerely, Concerned Consumer

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation