Consumer complaint received 2026-02-03 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: CA

Complaint narrative:
RE : FORMAL PRE-LITIGATION DEMAND FOR CORRECTION, RESTITUTION, AND ACCOUNT REINSTATEMENT Accounts Ending in XXXX and XXXX To Whom It XXXX Concern, This letter constitutes a formal pre-litigation demand regarding my American Express accounts ending in XXXX and XXXX, which American Express previously determined were compromised due to identity theft and for which I was expressly found not financially responsible. 

Between XXXX and XXXX, my identity was compromised across multiple financial institutions. During that same period, XXXX separate credit accountsincluding both American Express accounts referenced abovewere compromised through the same identity theft pattern. 

Each institution investigated and determined fraud. Other lenders promptly cleared the balances and closed the accounts without collection or litigation. American Express likewise investigated, confirmed fraud, closed the accounts, reduced the balances to {$0.00}, and issued approximately {$10000.00} in restitution. I was advised the matter was fully resolved. 

Despite this determination, American Express later initiated litigation and collection activity on these same accounts already deemed fraudulent, forcing me to : pay approximately {$17000.00} in settlement payments incur more than {$7000.00} in attorney fees suffer credit harm and denial of credit access These actions were improper and directly contradict American Expresss own fraud findings. 

Further, on XX/XX/XXXX, I was contacted by American Express XXXX XXXX and was explicitly informed that : I am not responsible for the accounts the accounts were confirmed fraudulent written confirmation would be issued I would be eligible to reapply Yet I was still denied a new account due to prior cancellations. This internal contradiction demonstrates clear mishandling and inaccurate reporting. 
Additionally, XXXX former American Express account currently reports on my credit file as paid, closed, and positive, proving American Express is capable of accurate reporting. The inconsistent treatment of the remaining accounts is unjustifiable. 


Legal Violations American Expresss actions constitute violations of multiple federal and state consumer protection laws, including but not limited to : Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ) XXXX XXXX XXXX ( a ) and ( b ) furnishing inaccurate information XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX b ) failure to assure maximum possible accuracy XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX to block identity theft related information Fair Credit Billing Act ( XXXX ) XXXX XXXX XXXX failure to XXXX resolve disputed fraudulent charges Fair Debt Collection Practices Act ( FDCPA ) ( to the extent third-party XXXX or litigation agents were used ) XXXX XXXX XXXX false or misleading representations XXXX XXXX XXXX unfair collection practices California XXXX Fair Debt Collection Practices Act Civil Code XXXX prohibits unlawful collection of debts not owed Pursuing collection and litigation after determining accounts were fraudulent, and continuing to maintain adverse reporting, exposes American Express to statutory damages, XXXX XXXX, attorney fees, and costs. 


Attorney Involvement & Notice of XXXX I have already provided extensive documentation and a formal letter prepared by my attorney regarding these matters. XXXX and I are currently preparing litigation against the companies responsible for wrongful collection, credit harm, and damages. 
However, I would strongly prefer to resolve this amicably before court action becomes necessary. 
This letter provides American Express an opportunity to correct these issues voluntarily.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation