Credit card or prepaid card -- Getting a credit card -- Complaint #4849887
Complaint Overview
Complaint ID: 4849887
Company: American Express Company
Product: Credit card or prepaid card
Sub-Product: General-purpose credit card or charge card
Issue: Getting a credit card
Sub-Issue: Card opened as result of identity theft or fraud
State: Florida
ZIP Code: 32533
Date Received: 2021-10-27T12:00:00-05:00
Date Sent to Company: 2021-10-27T12:00:00-05:00
Company Response: Closed with non-monetary relief
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Submitted Via: Web
Tags: Servicemember
Consumer Narrative
I was recently added as an Authorized User to an American Express credit card without my knowledge. Reading the FDIC website for consumer protection Section 226.12 paragraph 12 ( a ) ( 1 ) states that a request or application for a card must be explicit. However, # 6 of the same paragraph allows the primary cardholder to request a credit card for anyone else. Apparently the exploitation of this legal-ese grey area allowed the credit card to be opened which then caused my credit score to decrease by nearly XXXX points ; in effect holding ME financially responsible for its use. When the account appeared on my credit report I immediately reported this to the credit bureaus and the CFPB : as not being my account, nor did I submit an application, or give approval to be an authorized user. The response from American Express to the CFPB complaint was that they are reporting accurately. My question isHow can an issuer give credit without authorization, affect my credit by reporting an account I did not authorize, and advise they are reporting an account accurately? Is that some type of childish word game? e.g. their response was almost mocking ; it may be fraud, but were reporting it accurately! I called the CFPB when I received the complaint response and was advised to write the FTC. Per their suggestion I have written the FTC the details of the unfair practice. I would like to submit this complaint/ account as fraud to stop any reporting to my credit report. I, again, did not request this account, have ever requested credit from American Express, or have knowledge of its opening, not will I ever request an account from American Express in the future. Also, all this was done while my credit line was purposefully frozen. My next course of action is a local consumer protections attorney as I am currently loan shopping. This fraudulent account ( and credit score reporting ) is causing a burdensome financial impact by affecting my chances at better tiered rates.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Complaint #4849887 about?
Complaint #4849887 was filed against American Express Company regarding Credit card or prepaid card specifically about Getting a credit card. It was received by the CFPB on 2021-10-27T12:00:00-05:00.
How did American Express Company respond to this complaint?
The company responded with: "Closed with non-monetary relief". The response was timely.
What is the risk level of this complaint?
See the risk assessment section for details on this complaint's risk profile.
How do I file a similar complaint?
You can file a complaint with the CFPB at consumerfinance.gov/complaint. Select the appropriate product category (Credit card or prepaid card) and describe your issue in detail.
Can I see other complaints against American Express Company?
Yes, visit the American Express Company company profile at readthecomplaint.com/company/american-express-company to see all complaints, risk scores, and analysis.
Disclaimer
This analysis is AI-generated based on publicly available CFPB complaint data. It does not constitute financial or legal advice.