topic Re: AMEX Question Help Needed in Credit Cards

AMEX Question Help Needed

Anonymous — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 17:12:09 GMT

Okay, in high school, way back in the 80's I was an AU on my mom's AMEX green card. She filed a BK in 1990 and this card was included in her BK. She has never had an AMEX since, and I have never bothered to apply for an AMEX since I don't like having to pay all at once.

Today I got my EQ report, and there is an AMEX account on there, from 1988, shows a high balance of $1016, CURRENT BALANCE $1016 and lists my limit as $100. WTF? I am on hold with EQ right now trying to dispute... I saw this happened to someone else last month. Any suggestions? This $1016 is double what my available credit is with the two secured cards I have. Needless to say My FICO is going to suffer.

Re: AMEX Question Help Needed

Anonymous — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 17:19:27 GMT

I thought they couldn't collect on accounts included in BK?

Never had to file so not certain. I have read that Amex will go after the AU's on accounts gone bad, but the whole BK issue is what is bothering me.

Re: AMEX Question Help Needed

Anonymous — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 17:24:31 GMT

Stef, the account was closed in 1990, it even says that on my report. AMEX is full of BS!

Date Closed 10/1990

Comments: Closed by credit grantor.

Date of Last Activity: 10/2008

WTF! WTF! WTF! WTF!

I have not made any attempt at "activity" on this card since 1989, which is the last time I used it to buy an Alpine stereo for my VW Bug. I remember it because it was the last time I used a CC until this past June when I got my two secured cards.

Now everyone knows my dark secret by the way, the reason I never had credit until this year is because I saw it ruin my mom and dad in the 90's, and never wanted to go through what they did.

Re: AMEX Question Help Needed

Anonymous — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 17:25:44 GMT

Wrong, wrong, wrong (AmEx).

For one thing, they cannot collect on an account included in a BK. That would constitute "Contempt of Court." BK court protects the debtor from such activities. By extension, it also protects YOU.

Also, how in the HELL can a debt over 10 years old (at date of default) be on your CRs????

Go spank their butts. Hard. They deserve it. They're doing so many thing illegally, that it's really just making my head spin.

Re: AMEX Question Help Needed

Anonymous — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 17:26:37 GMT

What should I do? Please help me?

Re: AMEX Question Help Needed

Anonymous — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 17:27:05 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Stef, the account was closed in 1990, it even says that on my report. AMEX is full of BS!

Date Closed 10/1990

Sorry ... that would be EIGHTEEN years.

Re: AMEX Question Help Needed

Anonymous — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 17:30:02 GMT

How quickly do you want it fixed?

If you wanted it taken care of ASAP, you can dispute with the CRAs, demanding the "compliance date" or simply disputing as "obsolete."

If you wanted a measure of revenge for AmEx being such utter yutzes, you could always send them a ITS on the violation of the FCRA (for reporting a debt 18 years -- 11 years past the CRTP) and a warning that they're in contempt of court (US BK court).

As per FCRA, it's a violation that could get you a settlement. As per BK law, it's a violation that could get them fined. Heavily.

Its your choice!!

Re: AMEX Question Help Needed

Anonymous — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 17:40:46 GMT

Pappy, here is the thread that some of the other forum member's posted about this

http://ficoforums.myfico.com/fico/board/message?board.id=creditcard&thread.id=120834

I would think you could dispute it off as obsolete if you want it gone now. I didn't read through the thread again, so I am not sure what the other's did to solve this.

Re: AMEX Question Help Needed

Anonymous — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 17:45:32 GMT

Equifax was no help. They kept me on hold for 32 minutes (I have a timer on my work phone which shows how long the call is), and then said, Sorry we can't remove this because it shows a DOLA of 10/2008. They made me call AMEX. Which I just did. They will remove it from my reports, but the lady said they have no record of me having this account. I said technically it was my mom's. After 22 minutes on the phone with them explaining everything she removed the account from all three CRA's (apparently it was on EX and TU as well). Said it will take about 72 hours to come off all three.

Re: AMEX Question Help Needed

Anonymous — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 17:48:28 GMT

Well, atleast you got them to take it off. Whew, I would be mad.

Re: AMEX Question Help Needed

Uniqua — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 17:51:29 GMT

Doesn't sound like their trying to collect, sounds like they are trying to "hurt"... "maim" as a matter of fact! Not only that, they are re-aging which is against the law. I'm curious as to why the date of last activity is October 2008 though? Have you tried to establish credit with AmEx recently?

Dispute the account as either not yours or too old (I would dispute as not mine). If it comes back validated, file complaints with the FTC and the banking commission in your state. That'll get things done!

Shame on AmEx. Somebody sic the hounds on them!

Re: AMEX Question Help Needed

Uniqua — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 17:53:25 GMT

Just saw your update. Awesome! I was really starting to DISLIKE AmEx after reading your post!

Re: AMEX Question Help Needed

Anonymous — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 18:08:45 GMT

I am beyond mad. Everyone here has wondered why I am in my 40's and just now starting out in credit. Because I saw what it did to my parents, now you all know the truth.

I paid for everything with cash because I never wanted to file a BK, never wanted to have CA's call the house all the time. So I resisted until I bought that car this past June.

I was an AU on my moms account, and for the record none fo the $1016 was my debt.

Get this, the lady told me to tell my mom (if shes still with us) that if she calls AMEX they will give her a card with her Member Since 67 date on it. What nerve... I said, does that mean if I apply I can get that on mine, and she said "No, you were never technically a card member." What a witch! (Halloween came early at AMEX)

Re: AMEX Question Help Needed

Anonymous — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 18:11:52 GMT

Uniqua wrote:
I'm curious as to why the date of last activity is October 2008 though? Have you tried to establish credit with AmEx recently?

In the words of the late Richard Pryor "Fu$% no." I have never applied at AMEX. I never thought I could get a card form them. My credit is too new, and I don't have a real score yet. (Have to wait three more months for one)

Besides when I finally do get a score, I was going to apply at Discover and Chase, not AMEX. I have read how badly they have treated a lot of people here.

Re: AMEX Question Help Needed

Anonymous — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 18:16:52 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
How quickly do you want it fixed?

Very quickly. If I had 10,000 limits on cards, this would not be a big deal, in fact the age might have helped, but when my available credit is $600, and this AMEX shows a balance of $1016, thats not good for my scores.

Re: AMEX Question Help Needed

Uniqua — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 18:18:33 GMT

@ LOL @ what a witch. You are too funny!

And, if AmEx still has your mother's CC information from that long ago, odds are they will give her a new CC only if she pays off the monies owed to them when she filed BK. They'll never let you have an outstanding balance with them never paid, yet have a new CC.

P.S., it's nobody's business why you are in your 40s and new to credit. You don't owe us any explanations!

@Anonymous wrote:
I am beyond mad. Everyone here has wondered why I am in my 40's and just now starting out in credit. Because I saw what it did to my parents, now you all know the truth.

I paid for everything with cash because I never wanted to file a BK, never wanted to have CA's call the house all the time. So I resisted until I bought that car this past June.

I was an AU on my moms account, and for the record none fo the $1016 was my debt.

Get this, the lady told me to tell my mom (if shes still with us) that if she calls AMEX they will give her a card with her Member Since 67 date on it. What nerve... I said, does that mean if I apply I can get that on mine, and she said "No, you were never technically a card member." What a witch! (Halloween came early at AMEX)

Re: AMEX Question Help Needed

Anonymous — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 18:22:36 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Get this, the lady told me to tell my mom (if shes still with us) that if she calls AMEX they will give her a card with her Member Since 67 date on it. What nerve... I said, does that mean if I apply I can get that on mine, and she said "No, you were never technically a card member." What a witch! (Halloween came early at AMEX)

You should have countered with "How about if we just take what I would have won in court and slap it on an AmEx card?!"

Seriously, I do understand mistakes and know that companies make'em ... but really. Inserting a TL that's not only over 18 years old (11 years past CRTP) but also included in BK?? o_O

BTW, you misspelled "B*tch."

Re: AMEX Question Help Needed

Anonymous — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 18:26:34 GMT

@Uniqua wrote:

And, if AmEx still has your mother's CC information from that long ago, odds are they will give her a new CC only if she pays off the monies owed to them when she filed BK. They'll never let you have an outstanding balance with them never paid, yet have a new CC.

If the debt were included in BK, and the BK's been discharged, the debt has been paid. BK doesn't allow you to wipe the slate clean (unless it's a Ch 7 -- which is actually rare), it just gives you .... well, more time to pay and in most cases, forgives the accrued interest.

Since the account was discharged in BK, even if she paid only 40% of the actual debt (as per an agreement, of course), they are legally barred from ever recouping the deficit.

Re: AMEX Question Help Needed

Anonymous — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 18:28:27 GMT

@Uniqua wrote:

P.S., it's nobody's business why you are in your 40s and new to credit. You don't owe us any explanations!

I know, but some have speculated that I have had BK's and/or a bad personal history. Some people don't buy that I am just starting out. Now they know the reason I have avoided credit my entire life.

Re: AMEX Question Help Needed

Anonymous — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 18:29:10 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Besides when I finally do get a score, I was going to apply at Discover and Chase, not AMEX. I have read how badly they have treated a lot of people here.

We just got approved with the scores in DH's siggie for a WaMu (which has been bought by Chase and will be Chase branded by next year) after opening a checking/savings account. $2500 CL.

Get this cleaned up (threaten litigation if you like -- you've certainly MORE than earned it) and then pop over to WaMu and apply!!!!

Best of luck to you, Darlin'!!!