How Does AMEX Calculate Blacklist Date?

[Anonymous]

I'm just wondering if anyone knows how American Express calculates the blacklist date?  Is it date of first delinquency, account close date, charge off date, etc.?  I burned them around 2007-2008 on 2 cards for about $30k.  Some of it was collected via wage garnishment but I do believe there is still a balance.  The accounts have dropped off all of my credit reports.  

I've applied in the last couple of months but have received letters from them that I was denied because I have an account they closed.

Any pointers?  I think I may call to speak with someone but I don't want to activate any old debt, if that makes sense.

Thank you in advance for your advice!  

[sccredit]

If they collected any amount via garnishment I assume they have a judgment?

[Anonymous]

Scratch that.  It was another card, an old Citibank card that collected via wage garnishment.  As a matter of fact, I received almost $18k back from Citibank from a class action lawsuit when it came to debt collection.  I forgot about that.  

However, no judgment from American Express on the old debt.

[pizza1]

$30k is nothing to blink at...and AMEX has a memory like an elephant! There is no time frame for BL with Amex, or any other lender for that matter. There is no magical set date you'll be off of it.

You can only apply for a card, and if you get a HP, then you know you're off their BL. Some folks have been trying for 20+ yrs to get off their BL.

[Meanmchine]

Every month or two, do the pre-qual ritual.

[Anonymous]

AMEX will never admit to a “black list.”  Banks cannot discourage making an application.  Speaking hypothetically a bank would “black list” from the date of last activity only if the final result was a bankruptcy or uncollected charge off.  A bank cannot take any action when a bankruptcy is filed.  This includes adding someone to a black list.  It violates the automatic stay and could be deemed as an attempt to collect a debt.  When a bank declines due to a black list it will be for a previous relationship (officially).

One possible way to get off the black list is to become an AU on a family member’s acct.  after several months you should become eligible.  Keep checking for a pre-approval.  And you may need to wait until the BK and all the baddies fall off your CR.

[Anonymous]

Everyone, thank you for your input.  I guess I should forget about AMEX for the foreseeable future.

For the record, I've never had a bankruptcy, I have no family so I don't have the option to become an authorized user on anyone's account and I have no baddies on my credit report anymore.  I'm slowly but surely getting back to "normal" credit-wise but it's a long, slow road.

[Anonymous]

I have seen some people get back in after a few years ohers forever declined.  It makes no sence to me.  I think  the norm is around 10 years

[wasCB14]

Re: family AU

Amex has been known to reject requests to add an AU if the would-be AU has a bad history with Amex.

[Anonymous]

Ah, yes I forgot about that. I was black listed by AMEX in 1992 and was finally eligible last year. I didn’t have a BK either. AMEX can hold a grudge for a long time.