I am relatively new to the forum and want to thank the regular contributors for all that I have learned so far. I had both an AMEX green and optima card from 1991-1992. I used the card, made all payments on time, and eventually closed the account by my request. I received an AMEX BC 2 months ago and have been trying to back date my account without much success. AMEX can't seem to find my old account information and suggested I contact Experian.. Experian claims to not have access to older credit reports from 15 to 20 years ago that reported this trade line. I am not sure where to turn next? My average age of accounts is 8 months and oldest open trade line is 3.5 years. Backdating my new AMEX card would really be helpful to increase my age of accounts.
Any advice?
Welcome to the forum. Do not use the term backdate, let them know your MSD (member since date) is incorrect. If they can locate you with your SSN, you should be fine. Experian would not have records back that far and unless you have the old card, your only hope is to keep trying with Amex.
I read several posts on the forums about not using the words backdating. I specifically asked to have my member since date updated to reflect the date of my original AMEX card. The customer service rep said "no problem" then asked for my social security number to find my old account. I provided it, but they were not able to find any information about my old AMEX account. Should I try calling more than once?
@Built2last wrote:I read several posts on the forums about not using the words backdating. I specifically asked to have my member since date updated to reflect the date of my original AMEX card. The customer service rep said "no problem" then asked for my social security number to find my old account. I provided it, but they were not able to find any information about my old AMEX account. Should I try calling more than once?
Definitely, my DH had to do that a few months ago. Keep in mind he had current cc's showing '85, he asked to have a newer cc backdated and the CSR said no- After a reminding her that his other cc's had '85 she accommodated the request.
Do you have copies of old credit reports? Copies of old receipts from way back when?
My dad saw that he had an old Home Depot card still reporting but didn't have the card anymore (shredded up) and their website required the full CC number to create an account. After some heavy digging, he found old CRs with the first 12 digits of his HD CC, and receipts with the last 4 digits of that CC. Presto... 
The first time I called to have my current Amex cards showing my MSD of 1988, the CSR could not find my account and told me if my original AMEX card was issued by say, a bank, they could not find the MSD. I called back a second time and gave this CSR my ssn and she was able to find my original MSD very quickly. I had my new cards withing 3-4 days. Call back, try again.
