Consumer complaint received 2025-10-29 00:00:00
Product: Credit card — General-purpose credit card or charge card
Issue: Closing your account — Company closed your account
Company: GOLDMAN SACHS BANK USA
State: CA

Complaint narrative:
1. Introduction At this time XX/XX/XXXX Goldman Sach not honoring and notr refunded any cent to me This document outlines the case of Claimant, XXXX XXXX, against Respondent, Goldman Sachs Bank USA ( " the Bank '' ), concerning the systemic mishandling of her Apple Card account over a period of more than four years. This dispute is not a series of isolated customer service issues, but a documented pattern of persistent billing errors, improper dispute reversals, inaccurate credit reporting, discriminatory practices, and bad-faith conduct by the Bank. The following chronological narrative will demonstrate the Bank 's violations of multiple federal and state consumer protection laws, which have inflicted significant financial, reputational, and emotional harm upon the Claimant. 2.
The Genesis of the Dispute : An Unresolved Charge Ignites a Pattern of Failure ( XXXX XXXX XXXX ) The initial incident that sparked this protracted dispute serves as a microcosm of the systemic failures that would plague XXXX XXXX for years. The Bank 's handling of a single disputed transaction for a non-delivered product reveals a foundational breakdown in its billing and dispute resolution processes, setting a precedent of error and distrust.

The dispute originated from a XXXX * * XXXX XXXX purchase made in XX/XX/XXXX. The product was never delivered to XXXX XXXX. Despite this, the Bank proceeded to improperly bill her for eight separate monthly installments of * * XXXX, including in XX/XX/XXXX, XX/XX/XXXX, and six further charges in XXXX. These repeated billings for a phantom product resulted in over {$780.00} in unauthorized charges, interest, and related fees. 

The Bank 's actions regarding this matter were contradictory and negligent. After years of improper billing and failed dispute resolutions, the Bank finally admitted in a formal response to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ( CFPB ) that an " inadvertent processing error occurred '' concerning this dispute. However, this admission came only after profound harm had already been done, with the credit for this charge only being made permanent on XX/XX/XXXX, XXXXnearly four years after the initial transaction. This unresolved issue established a foundation of error and distrust, precipitating a wider breakdown in account management that continues to this day. 

3. A System-Wide Breakdown : Pervasive Errors and Security Lapses ( XXXX - XXXX ) The initial billing error was not an anomaly but the first sign of a complete breakdown in the Bank 's dispute resolution process, as mandated by federal law. Evidence demonstrates that the Bank 's systems were incapable of correctly processing disputes, leading to a cycle of errors that harmed XXXX XXXX repeatedly over four years. 

This systemic failure is evidenced by the sheer volume of issues ; XXXX XXXX was forced to file at least 67 transaction disputes between XX/XX/XXXX and XX/XX/XXXX. These were not isolated incidents but part of a recurring pattern where the Bank would issue a temporary credit only to reverse it later without proper investigation or justification. This flawed cycle is clearly illustrated by a XXXX XXXX transaction from the XX/XX/XXXX statement : Date Action Amount Result XX/XX/XXXX DISPUTE CREDIT - {$160.00} Temporary credit applied. 

XX/XX/XXXX DISPUTE REVERSAL + {$160.00} Credit improperly reversed without resolution. 

This pattern of mismanagement extended to critical security failures. In XX/XX/XXXX, XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX was stolen. She immediately reported the theft to XXXX with instructions to lock the card and secure the account. Despite this timely notification, the Bank failed to take effective action, allowing criminals to make over {$1000.00} in unauthorized charges. This documented pattern of mishandling disputes and failing to secure the account after being notified of theft constitutes a clear abrogation of the Bank 's statutory duties under the Fair Credit Billing Act ( FCBA ) and the Electronic Fund Transfer Act ( EFTA ).

4. Compounded Harm : Devastating Credit Damage and Discriminatory Barriers The Bank 's procedural failures were not victimless errors ; they inflicted profound, tangible, and lasting financial and personal harm upon XXXX XXXX. This harm was compounded by discriminatory practices that systematically blocked her access to resolution, creating an inescapable cycle of financial distress and frustration.

First, the Bank violated the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ) by furnishing inaccurate and derogatory information to credit reporting agencies. On XX/XX/XXXX, the Bank reported XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX account as " Charged Off. '' This severely negative report was inherently false and misleading because it was based on a balance containing disputed amountsincluding the {$630.00} chargethat the Bank itself later admitted were the result of its own " processing error. '' Reporting this balance as " Charged Off '' constitutes a willful violation of the FCRA, 15 U.S.C. 1681s-2, as the Bank furnished information to credit reporting agencies that it knew, or consciously disregarded the risk that it was, inaccurate, given its own admission of a foundational " processing error. '' Second, the Bank violated California 's Unruh Civil Rights Act through discriminatory practices. XXXX XXXX has a documented XXXX  XXXX, a fact of which the Bank was informed. Despite this, the Bank systematically insisted on voice authentication as a primary method for account security and dispute resolution. This rigid, one-size-fits-all protocol repeatedly denied her full and equal access to the services necessary to protect her account and address the Bank 's errors. These barriers were particularly egregious during a period when XXXX XXXX was medically incapacitated due to a tracheotomy, rendering voice communication impossible. The Banks failure to provide this reasonable accommodation was not a separate, isolated harm ; it was the primary barrier that prevented XXXX XXXX from addressing the cascade of other billing and security failures, thus compounding the financial and emotional damages. This failure constitutes a distinct and actionable violation of California 's Unruh Civil Rights Act, which guarantees all persons equal access to business services regardless of disability.

5. Evidence of Willful Bad Faith : Coercion and Breach of Promise ( XXXX ) The Bank 's pattern of conduct culminated in recent actions that demonstrate a shift from gross negligence to willful, bad-faith behavior. These events show a deliberate and calculated effort to leverage its position to the detriment of XXXX XXXX, providing unequivocal evidence of oppression and fraud. 

In XX/XX/XXXX, the Bank engaged in coercive conduct. It was holding an accepted refund of XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX that was due to XXXX XXXX since XX/XX/XXXX. The Bank 's representatives conditioned the release of these funds on a coercive requirement : XXXX XXXX had to agree to close a separate, valid * XXXX XXXX dispute related to a XXXX computer. 

Forced into an impossible position and seeking to recover the larger sum, the Claimant complied with this condition. However, the Bank subsequently failed to honor its promise. To date, the {$3800.00} refund remains uncredited to her account. This sequence of events is a textbook case of fraudulent inducement and a clear breach of the covenant of good faith and fair dealing. This incident is not a misunderstanding ; it is unambiguous evidence of a willful, oppressive, and fraudulent pattern of conduct that justifies punitive measures.

6. Summary of Legal Violations and Causes of Action The aforementioned facts, supported by extensive documentation, constitute multiple and severe violations of federal and state law. The following is a summary of the causes of action against the Respondent : Violation of the Fair Credit Billing Act ( FCBA )/ TILA : The Bank failed to properly investigate and resolve 67 disputes in a timely manner as required by law. It illegally assessed unauthorized installment charges for a non-delivered item and is currently engaged in an ongoing violation by illegally retaining the {$3800.00} accepted refund.

Violation of the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ) : The Bank willfully furnished inaccurate and derogatory information to credit reporting agencies by reporting the account as " Charged Off '' based on a balance that it knew, or should have known, included amounts resulting from its own admitted processing errors.

Violation of California 's Unruh Civil Rights Act : The Bank denied a person with a permanent XXXX  XXXX full and equal access to its account and security services by systematically insisting on discriminatory voice authentication protocols, failing to provide reasonable accommodation even when aware of the Claimant 's medical incapacitation.

Fraudulent Inducement & Breach of Contract : The Bank coerced the Claimant to close a valid {$500.00} dispute under the false pretense and fraudulent promise of releasing a {$3800.00} refund, which the Bank then failed to do, constituting a clear breach of its duty of good faith and fair dealing.

7. Conclusion and Prayer for Relief The evidence presented demonstrates a multi-year pattern of systemic and willful misconduct by Goldman Sachs Bank USA. The Banks actions and failures have caused severe and
multifaceted harm to XXXX XXXX, including direct financial loss, catastrophic damage to her credit and reputation, and significant emotional distress resulting from years of battling a faceless and unresponsive institution that unlawfully discriminated against her. To remedy these harms, the Claimant respectfully requests that the Arbitrator issue an Award encompassing the following relief.

First, an award for Actual Damages to make the Claimant whole : Category Amount Claimed Justification FCBA Restitution ( Held Funds ) {$3800.00} Immediate release of Accepted Refund held since XX/XX/XXXX. 

FCBA/Contract Overpayments {$780.00} Restitution for eight unauthorized installments on non-delivered item.

Loss from Fraudulent Condition {$500.00} Loss from the XXXX dispute Claimant was forced to close.

Other Documented Fraud Losses {$4500.00} Losses from other documented disputes and improper charges.

Total Actual Damages {$9700.00} Second, an award for General Damages of {$50000.00} as compensation for the severe emotional distress, XXXX, and humiliation caused by years of financial uncertainty, the destruction of her credit standing, and the degrading experience of disability discrimination.

Third, an award for Litigation Expenses of {$1800.00}, representing compensation for 90 hours of uncompensated time XXXX XXXX was forced to spend compiling evidence, documenting errors, and preparing for this arbitration as a direct result of the Bank 's misconduct.

Finally, the Claimant seeks Statutory, Injunctive, and Punitive Relief, including : An order compelling the Bank to direct all major credit reporting agencies to immediately delete the " Charged Off '' status and all related negative tradelines from the Claimant 's credit files.

An order requiring the Bank to implement and maintain a permanent, secure, non-voice authentication protocol for customers with documented XXXX  XXXX. 
An award of statutory and punitive damages sufficient to punish the Bank for its willful, oppressive, and fraudulent conduct and to deter such conduct in the future. 
Reimbursement of all XXXX XXXX filing fees. 
This relief is necessary and justified to make the Claimant whole and to hold the Respondent accountable for its sustained and egregious violations of the law. 



XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX On XX/XX/XXXX, at XXXX, XXXX XXXX wrote : .DEMAND SUBMISSION - XXXX AMENDED STATEMENT OF CLAIM AND PRE-HEARING BRIEF XXXX XXXX CASE NO. : XXXX CLAIMANT RESPONDENT XXXX XXXX GOLDMAN SACHS BANK USA DATE OF AMENDED FILING : XX/XX/XXXX Claimant XXXX XXXX submits this Amended Statement of Claim against Respondent Goldman Sachs Bank USA ( " Goldman Sachs '' or " Bank '' ) for willful, systemic, and fraudulent violations of federal and state consumer protection laws.

I. JURISDICTION AND STATEMENT OF MATERIAL FACTS The Bank 's conduct spans over four years and constitutes a pattern of violations under the Fair Credit Billing Act ( FCBA ), the Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ), and the Unruh Civil Rights Act.

A. Systemic Failure to Resolve Billing Errors ( FCBA Violations ) Unauthorized Installment Overpayments : Despite a XX/XX/XXXX XXXX Store purchase for {$630.00} being non-delivered, the Bank improperly billed the Claimant for eight separate monthly installments of {$53.00} ( including XX/XX/XXXX, XX/XX/XXXX, and six further charges in XXXX ). These charges led to over {$780.00} in unauthorized principal, interest, and fees.

Bank 's Admission of Error : The Bank later confirmed in its official response that an " inadvertent processing error occurred '' regarding the {$630.00} dispute, which was finally made permanent on XX/XX/XXXX, nearly four years after the initial transaction.

Continuing FCBA Violation : The Bank is currently holding an Accepted Refund amount of {$3800.00} since XX/XX/XXXX. The failure to credit these acknowledged funds is a fresh, continuing violation of the FCBA.

B. Fraudulent Inducement and Coercive Practices Fraudulent Condition : In XX/XX/XXXX, the Bank conditioned the release of the {$3800.00} held refund via direct deposit on the Claimant being forced to close a separate {$500.00} XXXX XXXX computer dispute.

Breach of Promise : The Claimant complied by closing the {$500.00} dispute ; however, the Bank failed to honor its promise, and the {$3800.00} refund remains uncredited as of this filing. This action constitutes fraudulent inducement and a breach of the duty of good faith.

C. Discrimination and Inaccurate Credit Reporting ( Unruh Act/FCRA ) Disability Discrimination ( Unruh Act ) : The Claimant, who has a documented XXXX  XXXX, was repeatedly denied equal access to account security and dispute resolution services because the Bank systematically insisted on voice authentication.

Inaccurate Credit Reporting ( FCRA ) : The Bank reported the account as " Charged Off '' on XX/XX/XXXX. This negative report was inherently inaccurate because it was based on a balance that included disputed amounts, which the Bank subsequently admitted were subject to its own " processing error ''.

II. CAUSES OF ACTION No.

Cause of Action Legal Basis and Key Facts I.

VIOLATION OF THE FAIR CREDIT BILLING ACT ( FCBA )/ TILA Failure to investigate and correct billing errors ( the 67 disputes ). Illegal assessment of eight unauthorized {$53.00} installments. Illegal retention of the {$3800.00} held refund.

II.

VIOLATION OF THE FAIR CREDIT REPORTING ACT ( FCRA ) Negligent and willful non-compliance in furnishing inaccurate information by reporting the account as " Charged Off '' on XX/XX/XXXX, based on a balance that included amounts the Bank later admitted were erroneous.

III.

VIOLATION OF CALIFORNIA 'S UNRUH CIVIL RIGHTS ACT Denying a person with a permanent XXXX  XXXX full and equal access to security and account services by insisting on discriminatory voice authentication protocols.

IV.

FRAUDULENT INDUCEMENT & BREACH OF CONTRACT Coercing the Claimant to close the {$500.00} dispute under the false pretense and fraudulent promise of immediately releasing the {$3800.00} refund.

III. RELIEF SOUGHT Claimant demands an Award against Goldman Sachs Bank USA, including but not limited to : A. ACTUAL DAMAGES ( Restitution and Financial Loss ) Category Claimed Amount Legal Basis FCBA Restitution ( Held Funds ) {$3800.00} Immediate release of the Accepted Refund on Hold since XX/XX/XXXX. 
FCBA/Contract Overpayments {$780.00} Full restitution for the eight unauthorized {$53.00} installments ( XX/XX/XXXX, XX/XX/XXXX, and six in XXXX ) and related interest/fees.

Loss from Fraudulent Condition {$500.00} Loss from the {$500.00} XXXX dispute which Claimant was forced to close.

Fraud Losses ( Other ) {$4500.00} Losses from other documented disputes and charges.

B. GENERAL DAMAGES ( Emotional Distress and Pain/Suffering ) Claim Category Justification for Damages Requested Amount Unruh Civil Rights Act / FCRA Compensation for severe emotional distress, anxiety, and humiliation caused by disability discrimination, years of financial uncertainty, and the resulting credit damage.

{$50000.00} C. LITIGATION EXPENSES ( Compensation for Lost Time ) Claimant seeks compensation for the specific, uncompensated time ( 90 hours ) required to resolve and compile evidence for issues created by the Bank 's negligence and willful conduct, calculated at a rate of {$21.00} per hour.

Activity Log Example Estimated Hours Spent Rate Cost Claimed Dispute Filing and Follow-Up 30 hours {$21.00} {$630.00} Evidence Compilation and Review ( 1,323 pages ) 40 hours {$21.00} {$840.00} XXXX XXXX Preparation 20 hours {$21.00} {$420.00} TOTAL TIME LOSS CLAIMED 90 Hours {$21.00} {$1800.00} D. STATUTORY, INJUNCTIVE, AND PUNITIVE RELIEF Statutory Damages : For willful violations of the FCRA, FCBA ( twice the finance charges ), and a minimum of {$4000.00} per instance of discrimination under the Unruh Act.

Injunctive Relief : An Order compelling the Bank to immediately delete the " Charged Off '' status and all negative credit reporting.

Policy Change : An Order requiring the Bank to implement a permanent, secure, non-voice authentication and resolution protocol for customers with documented XXXX  XXXX. 
Punitive Damages : Punitive damages are warranted due to the Bank 's evidence of willful, oppressive, and fraudulent conduct, including the admitted " processing error '' and the fraudulent inducement scheme. 
Fees : Reimbursement of all XXXX XXXX filing fees, costs, and attorney 's fees incurred by the Claimant

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation