How to Resolve American Express Bill and AMEX Debt

I went through an incredible nightmare with Nationwide! The first crime they committed against me was by using a fraudulent "check" with info they had on record from a previous payment I had made, WITHOUT my permission! I started getting all these bounced checks and looked on my statement, only to find that a payment of $1140 had been taken out of my account. When I viewed the "check"online, there was my "signature" that I NEVER made, nor was there any record of the check number. They simply made one up! Well, you can imagine how shocked I was. Also, considering my former bank, B of A, charged $35 per returned check, not only was I out the $1140, but $350 in returned checks! I first called and reported it to B of A, thinking that since it was fraud (I never gave permission for this payment) they would credit my account and launch an investigation. Wrong! The gal I spoke with, not only didn't credit my account, she didn't even recommend that I file a complaint/dispute! So then I contacted Nationwide and supposedly talked to a "supervisor." He claimed that I indeed gave permission (although the agent in charge of my case was suspiciously gone every time I called) and since I knew that these calls, giving permission, etc., are required by law to be recorded, I asked to HEAR the "permission" I granted. Well, that really got him in a tizzy and sent me to yet another "supervisor," who also claimed I gave permission, although they never allowed me to listen to ANY conversations that I supposedly had with their company. To try and make this nightmare shorter then the months I dealt with Nationwide, I will say that after threats, numerous phone calls, (never the same agent) and dealing with an enormous amount of lies on their part, I finally got my money returned, as well as the $350 from the returned checks, although nothing could be done about the embarrassment and the "bad" record of returned checks that are now on my account. Oh, and this "company" that American Express has the audacity to handle their delinquent accounts, has quite a criminal record as well! I Googled them, only to find out that in 1998, Nationwide Credit, Inc., paid one of the largest civil penalties, $1,000,000 (yes, that's right, a MILLION) for charges of repeatedly violating the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. Included in these violations were harassing consumers; made false and misleading representations; failed to send required validation notices; failed to verify debts, when requested by consumers; and made impermissible third party contacts regarding consumers debts. Many of these charges were the same charges the FTC (Federal Trade Commission) made against Nationwide in 1992. The consent filed in 1992 also prohibited violations of the FDCPA and required Nationwide to pay a $100,000 civil penalty. Included in Nationwide Credit Inc.'s violations, after 1992's fine are; Used obscene or profane language to consumers; caused the consumers phone to ring, or engaged a person in phone conversations, repeatedly or continuously, with the intent to annoy, abuse, or harass a consumer; falsely implied that failure to pay the debt could result in arrest, imprisonment, or garnishment of wages; threatening to take action, such as a lawsuit against consumer; continued to try to collect debts after consumers disputed them in writing, and before Nationwide verified the debts. I would also like to add, that during this debacle, I repeatedly tried to talk to someone in their Atlanta, Georgia office. The one they advertise/use as their "home" office. Well, that was another one of their deceptions. Every number I called, in the USA, was rerouted to Mumbai, India! And as far as I can tell, there is no US office, or at least none that answer the phone numbers given for contact. When I asked their representatives in Mumbai, how to get in touch with someone from Nationwide, here in the US, I was of course given a number that sent me back to Mumbai. In addition to everything else, Nationwide took over a month to send me a reimbursement check (initially they claimed UPS and even gave me several tracking numbers, which of course were ALL invalid). Then a month later, they had the complete temerity to call and offer me a "settlement amount" to clear my debt! I won't use the language I used, on the agent who made that ludicrous phone call, and thankfully, I've not heard from them again. I will NEVER own another AmEx card, and I recommend everyone I know, to cut theirs up! Any American company, who would hire Nationwide Inc., especially after their 1992 $100,000 fine and the 1998 $1 Million dollar fine, for their outrageous behavior, toward AmEx clients, or anyone for that matter, is offensive in the worst possible way. Just imagine if you will, an innocent, elderly person, receiving a call from Nationwide Credit Inc., using not only profanity, but threatening them with prison! Can't you just see them writing a check, out of shear terror? It makes me physically ill to think what this company does to consumers, and that they are even in business, with their record, STILL! Even AFTER the 1998 fine! Here is what I recommend, to anyone who is abused, lied to, not given requested information regarding your "debt" or anything else, that is suspicious or denied per your request, from ANY credit collection company. Immediately notify the FTC (Federal Trade Commission) @ (877) 382-4357, TTY: 1-866-653-4261. Also, PLEASE document EVERY phone call with date, time, agent calling, and what is said. I wouldn't bother telling Nationwide (or any other credit collection company) about your plan. I did and it didn't have any effect. Probably because the FTC doesn't have any authority outside the USA. Although, most debt collection companies are American owned, so you will get results and of course the more complaints, the faster the action against them and the bigger the penalties too! Oh, and according to law, if you tell them to cease and desist with any further calls, they are required by law to STOP any further phone calls! Won't work with Nationwide, probably, but will with the majority of debt collectors. Keep in mind, the law is on YOUR SIDE! Go to the FTC website (www.ftc.gov) and you will find a list of your rights, with almost any industry that is doing business in the US. Good Luck to ALL of the abused consumers out there and don't give up hope! And if you have ANY doubts, as to the validity of their claims, whatever you do, PLEASE DO NOT GIVE THEM A CENT! That would work against you and could imply that you indeed DO owe them money! Not to mention, they would then have your checking account and routing numbers, to use against you, like they did to me. Keep in mind as well, if you DO OWE them money (who doesn't in this economy)? 99% of collection agencies will accept A LOT less then you actually owe, without any negative effects to your credit score, as long as you get the arrangement IN WRITING, SIGNED ORIGINAL, etc., for any future questions! Before the economy went to hell, I owed AmEx roughly $4K and their last offer was around $600! Generally speaking, the collection companies have bought your debt, much less then you originally owed, so they want to get as much of their money back as they can. Try and get them to make the original settlement offer (then you have an idea of where they are coming from), then just INTIMATE that you MIGHT be able to go as high as 25% of their first offer. If you don't have to peel the debt collector off the ceiling, then you have a good idea of what you can pay. Just make sure once an agreement is made, get it in writing, with proof of the debt being removed from your credit report immediately upon receipt of settlement money, without any negative comments regarding settlement. Again, GOOD LUCK!

I just received a email from American Express stating that my account has been closed. The reason was that i was not able to pay the balance due of $6000 in full payment in four months. I was paying them every month and the remaining balance was 1600$ till date which i am able to make the payment at end of this month. I found that they have sent my account to collection agency. is this going to effect my credit score? Should i make the remaining payment directly to AMX or collection agency.Thanks.

I closed my account in 2009 with a balance owed. Paid every month on time whether it be the minimum or more .... then in the Fall of 2010 I found out my husband's company was being purchased so we started getting our affairs in order, expecting the worse...I tried contacting AMX to see what assistance might be offered in the event my income was not enough (my husband's position was executive) also keep in mind .. I never asked for any debt forgiveness but inquired if with provided proof they would lower my interest rate from the teens.. down to a single digit.. so that I could still continue to pay the debt that I owed but without the excruciating ridiculous high interest rate.. and mind you I stopped charging way before I closed the account back in 2009 ... I was met with resistance, lack of service and a series of uneducated service representatives.... who at the end of my call left me exhausted and wondering should I really wonder about this so much if no one will listen? They told me repeatedly there is nothing to offer you .. I am current by the way .. on a closed account .. non active for years ... but no one cares that I am actually trying to tell American Express that I may be at risk for imminent default and seek assistance in advance to avoid this....no assistance.... I then filed a BBB complaint after repeated calls ... no response. Here we are in October and it has now been 8 full months of my husband being out of work. After 11 years of employment at the same job he was denied unemployment due to his job being completed... and it's just me .. trying to pay our BASIC .. and I mean BASIC bills ... We have sold everything .. cut off stuff not needed and we are selling possessions too .. all the extra's .. I have called American Express several times recently since as of the end of September I am officially unable to pay the monthly minimum at the 17.99 % .. ( i could afford to pay monthly at a single digit interest rate ) remember I closed this account in july 2009 and stopped charging way before then.. they asked me to agree to pay THE SAME MONTHLY MINIMUM PAYMENT I AM UNABLE TO PAY NOW ... FOR 12 MONTHS WITH NO INTEREST BUT LATE CHARGES OR SOMETHING .............AND REFUSED TO SEND IT TO ME IN WRITING TO REVIEW BEFORE I WOULD AGREE ...THEY SAID I MUST AGREE -- BEFORE I READ THE DETAILS ---- BEFORE THEY CAN SEND ME AN AGREEMENT ..........................I now refuse... this is the reason Americans are in trouble because when they want to do the right thing they get the short stick .. I will be quite honest here ..........my situation is one of millions .. and my situation is nothing compared to the others.. I am sure of it but no one cares ....

I have Amex since 2006, always pay on time. Recently I received a letter saying that the have put a limit of $16,200 on my account and that I can not use the Pay Over Time feature anymore, I use a platinum card. What I'm scared of is that next month they will ask me to pay all my balance in full which is about $14,000 or to pay a huge minimum payment of more that what I'm used to which is about $2,000 a month. I'm scared that if I'm not able to make the payments that they will go and put a lien on my car or even levy or freeze my bank account. Any advice on what should I do? Thanks.

Due to a failed business, two of our Amex accounts went to Zwicker. After a short time of negotiating, we were able to settle $34K for $10K. Always had a great relationship with Amex and made full payments until our income significantly reduced. Zwicker people were professional and accommodating and helped us avoid a BR.

Hi, I just want know what's gonna happen if I can pay my American express in full amount? Owe 2,000

Amex gave me a cc while in college. knowing full well i was a fulltime student. I racked up a bill about $7k, (1/3rd was finance charges/fees) went to collections and its been 12 years since the account has been closed. Silly me, tried to open a small starter cc with Amex 4 years ago. They mailed me a letter immediately that they are willing to re-instate me and that they reduced the pay off amount to $30%. I called them up to get more info, but they only wanted the 30%, about $2500, paid in full over the phone. I said I couldnt do that right now and hung up. Now that I can afford to pay them off the 30% in full, can I still use the offer from 4 years ago (even though i dont have the letter anymore)? I do want to be reisntated b.c my job only uses Amex corporate cards. I was denied when i was hired, my company does not bond. You have to pay the balance in full, yourself; and then be reimbursed by the employer.

I have an AMEX Delta card with about 10k outstanding. The account has been in good standing for many years but I'm having trouble making the minimum payments. I called Amex and they offered to settle the account for 75% of the owed amount. The problem is I only have 5k that I could possibly tap for this. Do you think they may be able to better their offer if I try negotiating?

MY FRIEND JUST PASSED AWAY LAST WEEK AND SHE HAS AN AMERICAN EXPRESS CARD. WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO HER UNPAID STATEMENTS?

I have about $7000 on my Amex Costco and $47,000 on my Amex Gold card. These are company expenses and for the first time my company told me they couldn't pay me on time. I freaked out and called Amex for the last 30 days regarding what happens if I don't pay. They kept scaring me talking about the card being frozen and the 2.99% interest fee at the 60th day. They said they had no payment plans to offer and that I wasn't eligible for pay over time. This really affected my sleep during the last 3 weeks. I started thinking bankruptcy, bad credit, etc. Last night I discovered this stream of posts when I was searching for "Amex Payment Plans". This gave me some confidence and today I called Amex one more time (27 days late) and they finally offered me the hardship program. For the Costco balance, they offered 0% for 6 months and 9.99% for the next 6 months. For the gold card they offered 12 months at $4060 at 0 interest and the 2.99% 60 day penalty would be waived (Over $1300 in interest!) and my credit would stay ok. They explained that I must stick to the due date or else all the negative things would happen. I am so thankful for these posts which really saved me and my credit!