American Express Platinum Card Reviews

In October I suddenly receive another set for 2007 with a letter explaining that I could return it in 15 days, but it was already almost this time period so I did not have time to return it. I surmised I would receive a charge of around $30.00 on my AMEX, however i just looked at my bill and I have two charges totaling over $50.00 for a set worth maybe $25, at best.

Because this was broken into two separate charges, there could be an error. However, I believe that this was a purposeful way to deceive a cardmember into going along with this deception.

On that specific month due to the volume of debts of my credit cards and my fear that I would not be able to make the regular payments I joined a Credit Counseling Service to help me renegotiate my debts with the Credit Card companies and obtain a better and feasible payment scheme. A proposal was sent to AMEX on August 2002 for the repayment of my debt and an agreed amount of $92.00/month was set for this payment. This was a propose sent by AMEX (the amount of $92.00) and accepted by me also through the Credit Counseling Agency.

Since them, starting in September 2002 AMEX has received every single month the agreed amount without missing any month and by the end of 2005 I decide to reduce the payment period and paid all the remaining balance to AMEX. AMEX has confirmed that my outstanding balance with them is zero and that everything that was owned to them was paid.

Despite this fact AMEX has posted in all my credit reports very negative remarks (BAD DEBT, COLLECTION, CHARGE-OFF...) that are causing tremendous damage in my credit history and they refuse to withdraw these remarks saying that they will remain in my reports due to a severe deliquency of my account. I really do not understand why I should be punished for agreeing to pay all my debts and having done so even before the agreed period and have my credit reports damaged for the period of seven years.

They refuse to honor the rate on my statement, even with no expiration date on the percentage rate. She said that she would have someone else call me, but of course, no calls.

Even then, it is very difficult to find a trip...most requests end up with a message stating that there are no seats available. And, on the rare occasion that you can find a flight using 50,000 miles, the connections are very poor, requiring sometimes two stops each way.

Because of this, I decided to cancel my card. However, I learned that then I could never use the miles I had accumulated because you must charge your trip with the credit card. Therefore, I was convinced to keep the card, but downgrade to a gold card. I was also offered a discount on the yearly fee for the year if I kept the platinum card. I still downgraded.

A few days later I thought about the companion ticket that is sent each year. Even though that is not a very good deal either, I thought that for the first time I might have a use for it. I called Amer. Ex. and asked them if I could still utilize their offer of the one-time discounted rate for the yearly fee. They said I could. I specifically asked if I would receive the companion ticket, and I was told I would receive it in April of 2006. For that reason, I reinstated the card. April came and I never received the companion ticket.

Upon calling, I was told that I would not receive one until the following year because I had cancelled and then reinstated my platinum card.

inititated the closure of the account but American Express refuses to do so.

I have been making payments on the card, and according to my credit reports
have been timely. Every month I find myself having to call American express
at least twice to obtain a verbal payment amt because my statements don't
represent my last payment. I have been told this is the case because my
payments come in after the due date. I have been and will continue to make
payments until the card is paid off, but I can no longer justify or

comprehend the outrageous interest rates that I am being charged.

I
understand if I actually had charges that made up the additional 8-9K but I
did not. This situation is a now also affecting my other card with them. My
personal card, card number 373070704512005. American express is requesting
I pay more than the minum on this card. This absolutely does not make
sense!! I have a sign and travel amount of approx 3k and on this card i pay

Months later, after the flight date, I received 9 separate charges to my account made by Air Berlin. There is no indication of what these charges are for or why they were made. In this case, I wish they would have been as cautious as the first time.

Now going on 5 continuous months of disputing these charges, they continue to appear on my statement. They have been reversed and then have reappeared, only to be reversed again. These charges were never authorized by me and they continue to process them into my statements.

When I called again today I requested a Supervisor and was transferred to a Team Leader named Jackie and then asked for a Supervisor Mrs. Moore - they were both in Customer Service. I was informed by both employees that they could not stop the automatic billing even if I canceled the card that I would need to contact the merchant directly. I advised both of them that this was fraud, and I had tried to call the # several times to Fusion Telekom and only received some kind of recording and you can't leave a message. Mrs. Moore stated even with the card canceled then the automatic billing would continue and I would have to dispute each month. She didn't understand when I tried to explain that if my card was stolen and someone was using it fraudulently and I reported this - those charges would not be allowed.

I asked why when I had a confirmed case of fraud, American Express has credited my account for three months previously and I was canceling my card, why would the charges be allowed to continue and I would have to dispute every month? I explained to Mrs. Moore that I had researched this company and believed this was a telemarketer associated with American Express and I doubted that the Federal and State Laws would allow this to happen. I expressed again to Mrs. Moore to cancel my card and that I would be contacting the Attorney General (according to my card agreement this is to be in Utah), and the Better Business Bureau. She wouldn't offer further help and articulated that American Express has credited my account every month after I called in to dispute. She stated again I would have to contact the original merchant to get the automatic billing stopped. Without doing so the charges would continue to be allowed on my cancelled call and I would continue to be held accountable.

I had 2 secondary cards in other individuals names. American Express has allowed for the second time one of the secondary parties to change primary on and account in my name and my responsibility. The reason I closed the account was the credit history and responsibility was mine and not crediting the company the secondary personel and I used the card for. A resolution file has been opened but I am told not to expect any resolution for several weeks. During that time the rewards points will expire.

tactic.

In response to an American Express (spam) mailing, I took
advantage of an offer for a Small Business Corporate card by American
Express for my business. The benefits included annual reporting of my
expenses, as well as a very convenient Balance Payment Option, which
would allow me to float a large bill over 3 months of expenses became
out of control or higher then expected in any given month. This feature

sold me on the business card over a standard personal card.

I used the balance payment option about three times over the
course of a year and a half, and in certain situations became dependant
on this important card feautre. In June, when I was more reliant then
ever on transferring my card balance to the 3 month payment option,
American Express customer support informed me the program was
discontinued as of July 1st (with no notice given). I'm assuming
perhaps it was a change of terms on the back of a statement which
disclosed the termination of the program. Of course any terms provide

terms may change at anytime.

All in all, at what point are changing terms the wheel of a
bait-and-switch tactic? I was baited to the American Express Small
Business card because of the Balance Payment Option. I was switched

when the program was terminated.

Secondly, upon signing for the card I was always greeted by
friendly, helpful support, later the support turned to India, with
helpess people unable to speak or understand English. Later, I found
the trick is to call over and over again, eventually you'll randomly
connect to an American support. I guess American Express isn't so

American anymore.

Lastly, the membership rewards redemption website has been down
since August 14th, for one week. Calling the number provided on the
site results in the same line the website should be up in about 15
minutes.... Is this a tactic to prevent me from redeeming my 100,000

I pay a huge annual fee and I can't use my miles. I was told today that I COULD cash in 100,000 miles for a PREMIUM ticket which in effect is a standard seat (50,000 miles) with a fancy name. A premium ticket is the SAME thing as a COACH/Standard seat but the airlines put several STANDARD seats aside for people like me that might, just might cash in 100,000 miles for a 50,000 miles out of desperation. OR, people like me might just cancel our American Express cards out of frustration and anger.

I then called back the following week and was told the time for the investigation had expired, I asked for someone else to talk to and was told there was no one. I have sent several emails to Amex to no avail, All I wanted was the card for a vacation back in August. I am very disgusted with AMERICAN EXPRESS.

Due to this, I wound up having to pay out of my pocket for dining out on my vacation, as well as undue stress trying to contact AMEX to resolve this issue.

They investigated and told us it was not fraud because anyone who had the main cardholders information is allowed to order a card and pressed us for the charges. Again we cancelled the card and again informed them that fraudulent activity on this account was happening and that they were not authorized to issue any new cards.

After this, we have not received a monthly mailed statement for 2.5 years. We always have to call and they tell us they mailed a statement and lo a behold we do get the duplicate statements but never the original. They then deny us our points, charge late fees and interest, yet we never receive a statement. We have made over 50 phone calls about this to no avail.

Here again, no statement, no points, interest and late payment fees. They have purposely purpertrated this fraudelent activity and according to their own statements fully support the issuing of cards to anyone who has the main account holders information. Being our old bookkeepper, obviously she would have had access to that information. We even filed a police report on the matter but American Express doesn't care!

The primary cardholder is my father and he does not have the money to pay the expenditures I made on his behalf. American Express just threatened that this will harm my credit severely.

AMEX reported to all 3 major credit bureas that this account was Closed By Credit Grantor and 2-4 times late. In January 2003 AMEX claimed I now had a separate delinquent $22K account with them, opened in 2000. They told me this was not my account because the Name, Address, Mother's maiden name, and DOB all did not match, and that someone was just using my social security number. They asked me to fax a copy of my Driver's License and Social Security Card to their fax and I did, they then said I was responsible for the account based on the info on file. They refused to send me any documentation whatsoever.

Yet they could not explain why they would have closed my $1000 student credit limit account in 1999 due to default and nonpayment, have that on public records, yet not hesitate to issue "me" a Platinum $22,500 credit line in 2000, less than a year later, despite a previous, recent supposed default and negative experience. It just all didn't make sense!

They continued sending me collections letters and I continued disputing the account, demanding at very least, a copy of the signed application or contract, and copies of the statements showing what in the world I bought adding up to 22K. They never produced any of these vital documents.

In July 2003 I received a court summons addressed to me on the outside but referring to me as "George Mera" (not my name) as the defendant on the inside. I answered the summons in writing and in person with a notice of appearance and an answer. I appeared before the Judge on September 25, explaining I didn't have a lawyer and would have to represent myself. Jaffe and Asher lawyer told the judge and myself that "99.9 of these cases are settled out of court but the amount of the debt is so high". The AMEX lawyer did not even produce a signed application, nor contract, nor statements, for this alleged $22K debt. I pointed this out, and the Judge said we should not continue with the hearing and instead discuss the matter and settle the matter out of court.

In the lobby of the court the AMEX lawyer produced a forged document showing I had supposedly authorized transfer of the account to use by the imposter "George Mera" and had thus supposedly committed to liability for the account. I was shocked they would go through such lengths of perjury to hold me accountable for an theft where I am the most damaged victim. I showed him a copy of my legal name change and explained it would be impossible for American Express to use the same name changed twice unless they were party to the fraud all along.

He then said this was clearly a case of ID theft and apologized, and said having the copy for his files would close the case so I gave it to him. He refused to give me a copy of the document that he produced, perhaps because it was their forgery or perjury of my original? We said he would be calling me if anything else was needed. We shook hands and said goodbye upon leaving the courthouse.

Currently, I am selling my house only to learn that a lien has been placed, a judgement of 22K despite the above! Even more bizarre is that even though AMEX somehow got this judgement at court, they are still harassing me to send money, sending me letters to my address in various names asking me to pay half to "settle" the case before it goes to court!

I had a collection rep. scream and yell at my friend who was here helping me at home. I am disabled and have medical problems! The collection agency is: Allied Interstate and the rep. name is: Carina. She yelled at John (who is an atty...my fiancee) that I should get out of bed. At no time did she ever identify herself and I was awakened, mind you I have medical problems.

Interestingly while my account showed the payment going through on March 5th, AMEX's next statement shows the payment going through on March 8th. This in effect allowed them to charge a finance charge of 5.23 (about 4% on 149.35). I think this problem is clearly not unfixable on their part, but a conscious business decision to fleece unsuspecting clients with extra charges.

The Broker further represented to us that our closing costs would be around $3500, which clearly states in their advertising there are no other fees other than the prepaid items. The problem ensued with the broker coming back with $6000 in closing costs. We refused to go through with the process, and the broker refused to refund our application fee. We have excellent credit, employment, etc. We were expecting the lowest rate and costs. Fortunately we were able to secure the mortgage through another concern at 5%, for 15 years with $2900. in closing costs.

AEX is compounding the problem by ignoring our consumer fraud claims and is siding with the merchant. Ms. Spencer also claims that letters to her superiors will be refered back to her, and that my efforts would be fruitless.

We feel completely victimized by the Mortgage Broker, and that AEX has added to the problems in further humiliating us, when they should be trying to protect us, but have instead favored the merchant, in spite of the documentation that has been provided.

Then, I was 15 days late last month and had already mailed the payment when I received a call at work today saying if they did not have the full balance w/n 72 hours, they would add on interest, and eventually go after personal property and garnish my wages. I asked for an itemized statement of account, just attempting to confirm no hidden charges if it is paid w/n 72 hours. The guy then said I no longer had 72 hours notice as they mailed me a letter on November 14th so my notice period was up today. They need payment by tonight at 9:00.

They said they don't have to send me a statement. I know that is incorrect, but I have not been told that who to write a letter to. This is so wrong. They are violating the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and this Allied Company lied to me in an attempt to collect the debt. I believe this is wrong and unethical. I will pay them all that I owe them, so I will not wait until they sue me; however, this treatment should stop.

Since then, it is now Wed., we have been called by 3 different individuals all harrassing and borderline threatening. We have asked them not to call at work, yet they continue. I told them that we were not late with any payment and couldn't understand the situation. I even told them that how were we to know that they were legitimate, because we had received no correspondence with AmEx. They bluntly told me that we would receive nothing from AmEx. I want to pay the people, but not on their unreasonable terms, but something more sensible. I told them a workable situation for us, but they essentially told us that they didn't want our money unless it was on their terms.

The high pressure collections and the conflicting information we receive from each individual we talk to is something we are not familiar with. We always pay our bills and cannot believe how others in worse situations than ours must be treated.

A few days ago I received a call from the Financial Review Team at American Express. The woman I spoke to told me that unless I send them 3 months of bank records and a copy of my W2 form they will cancel my card. They also told me that if my card were canceled it would go on my personal credit record. Can you believe it, I have worked so hard to establish a good credit record and they are threatening to destroy it.

I told them I could not understand why they were asking this of me since I have been such a good customer. They told me this is a new policy and they put my card on hold. I cannot believe it. I always pay my bills why would they put it on hold for no apparent reason. I called and spoke to several different people and all said the same thing. Your card is on hold until we receive your information. I was reluctant to send it in but then faxed over a W2 form. they told me it will take up to 7 days to review. Meantime I can't use my card.

How dare they do this and get away with it? I don't think they have a right to ask for such personal information. If I give them my employer and salary that should be enough. what business is it of theirs what accounts and how much money I have. I could understand it if I were a bad customer but I have a perfect record with them. They told me that this new proceedure started in 2000 and they have to request this of all their customers. they said it's taking a long time but eventually they will ask this of everyone.

I have filed an official complaint with American Express which I sent by registered mail. This whole experience has been terrible. I am in the process of buying a new home and can't afford to have any problems with my credit. This has caused such stress for me. Not to mention that I tried to purchase something and was told that my card was on hold. I was embarrassed and I'm outraged.

I called the number and was subjected to the usual recording of options. After 5 to 6 minutes of their "have no record of your account" "have no record of this charge" I finally reached a person. I was informed that I had reached NSS, a subscription service, and that by not responding to a postcard sent several months ago, I was automatically renewing my subscription. I said the charge was unauthorized, cancel the subscription and it all sounded like a scam. I then called Amex to tell them about the lack of help from Rahva and the unauthorized renewal and to cancel the charge. I was assured that Amex would contact NSS and the charge would be removed.

I then checked to see who the publisher of Travel and Leisure is and lo and behold, Travel and Leisure is a magazine from the publishing division of American Express. This sounds like a scam. Is negative response illegal and if it isn't, it should be.

1) Between Jan 1998 and Sept 1999 I used a company issued American

Express Card while working for S-Chip Corporation

2) In September 1999 S-Chip Corporation was acquired and ceased to

operate. All accounts were settled and closed at that time.

3) In October 2001 I was contacted by an Amex collection agency
that demanded a payment of ~$181. Neither they or Amex could tell
me what the charges were about. At the suggestion of the
collection agency I wrote a letter dated Oct 14 asking for an
accounting of the bill on an account I assumed had been closed
for 2 years. I assumed that the situation was resolved as I had

no further contact from Amex or the collection agency.

4) On May 13 2003 I found out through a credit report that Amex
was reporting a bad debt of $241.51. I immediately requested an

explanation by letter dated May 14 2003.

5) Amex replied with a summary of card activity dated June 26 2003
indicating that the charge was incurred on May 17 2001 at the

Smithtown Sheraton in Hauppaugue NY.

6) I contacted the hotel and was told that the charge was a
No show charge. Please note that I stayed at that hotel in the

summer of 1999, using the credit card in question.

7) I sent another letter to Amex dated July 10 stating that
according to my records I did not stay at the Smithtown Sheraton

at or around May 17 2001.

8) Amex replied with the letter dated April 15 2002 posted on
August 13 2003. The letter states that since hotels are not
required to maintain records beyond 6 months Amex is unable to
contact the hotel in question, and as such I should do that
myself. They further state that as the Authorizing Officer on
the account all charges are my responsibility and that the account
was not closed until August 2001. They make reference to their
letter of June 2001 in which they sent me the copies of the account
statement. Please note at this point that I assume they reference
their June 2003 letter since this was the first time that I
received any accounting of the matter. Amex then continues that
for credit report issues I should contact the Credit Bureau Unit
and that the amount in question is still due. They also add that
they will not respond to this matter any further.
9) The hotel has subsequently sent me (by fax) a letter stating
that they charged my corporate credit card and that they are aware
that I was employed by a company different from S-Chip at the time.
Due to a change of ownership they claim they cannot refund the

money.

In my opinion Amex made several mistakes in handling my account:

1) They did not close my account in 1999 as per S-Chip request

2) They accepted a charge to the account even though no membership
charges were paid for at least one year and there was no activity

on the account since September 1999.

3) They (or their agent the collection agency) could not tell me

what charges were when they contacted me in October 2001

4) They did not respond to the letter that I sent them on October

14 2001.

We called Global asking them to pick up the computer. Almost six months later they sent Airbourne to retrieve it and claimed they never got it. American Express has denied all our claims of fraud and attached our credit report. Hardly the kind of service one would expect. They claim that even though we were charged for a computer we both cancelled, did not accept and subsequently returned that we are responsible.

Anne should sue American Express in Small Claims Court and she should file a complaint against Global with the Federal Trade Commission.

Today, I get another call from Amex demanding payment by the 25th of this month. I told the rep that I was going to make a payment by the end of the month as agreed upon the week before. He then got rude and started yelling saying that he didn't care what I was told, and that HE is telling me that payment needs to be made by the 25th. I then asked to speak to his supervisor to complain about his rudeness. Guess what? His supervisor Mrs. Lee was just as rude, if not ruder. She started yelling at me over the phone to the point it was threatening. She said she was going to report my account and get my credit damaged.

I explained that I could make a payment by the end of the month, but that wasn't good enough for her. If both representatives were a bit more understanding I would have made a payment today. I felt like they have no compassion and should not be dealing with their clients if their attitude SUCKS. Mrs. Lee said she didn't care what I was told, she IS the supervisor and what she says goes. My credit card payments have become past due and I pay what I am able to pay. She didn't even want to hear that. All she cared about was getting her point accross by yelling and refusing to listen to what I had to say.

I feel bad enough that I am having a hard time to keep up with my credit card payments, but when the company supervisor spoke to me in such a demeaning manner I just don't think that their clients should be treated that way.

Later they sent collection agencies to harrass me. Even the collection agencies found that it was a mistake.

Marcos should sue American Express in Small Claims Court to recover the funds incorrectly charged to him as well as all fees, interest and other expenses.

This problem occurred as a result of my having joined the "Sign and Travel" program, which was marketed as a way to allow customers to pay bills at the end of the month, rather than upon receipt, which is the usual American Express practice. [As it turns out, Sign and Travel offers no real advantage for the customer because the customer must apply for a "loan" every month to "extend" his/her payment. If payment is not made in full, American Express calculates finance charges not only on the previous month, for which full payment has not been made, but on the amount of purchases made in the month that has not yet been billed. One month, for example, I had to pay a $28.31 finance charge on a $40 shortfall because I had made a large purchase in the month for which I had not yet been billed.]

The bills for Sign and Travel are very confusing, and the amounts owed to American Express per se, and Sign and Travel, are calculated separately. I was so annoyed by the confusions caused by the bill (and by that ridiculous finance charge) that I withdrew from Sign and Travel and paid the full amount that American Express said I owed at that time. I paid them $200 more than the bill said I owed (because of a figure that I got from their automated telephone reporting system, in order to cover everything that I owed at that time, and to be completely free of Sign and Travel. Through some subsequent miscalculations on American Express's part

in the month that followed my overpayment, I wasn't given full credit, and we now disagree on the amount that I owe.

I sent them a letter detailing all the calculations and spelling out their error. They refused to address my letter and simply restated their erroneous total. I assume that it will be very difficult for me to get my $86.98 back, but I want it. I would welcome any information about how to retrieve it.

In March 2001 I attempted to purchase for my company Microsoft SQL Server Licenses and software. BuymoreProducts.com shipped me a copy of the software but never completed the issuance of valid Microsoft software licenses. I attempted to resolve the problem with BuymoreProducts.com directly for over 3 months. The vendor would not return either my voicemails or my emails.

In August 2001 I sought the help of American Express to help resolve the problem or at least prompt a response from the vendor. The vendor responses that American Express Customer Service received were incomplete or inaccurate. I pointed this out to American Express on numerous occasions. The vendor either gave the same response or eventually gave no response.

By January 2002 it was becoming clear that the vendor was effectively out of business. The months of correspondence with American Express Customer Service and their mishandling of a dispute with an obviously disreputable and now bankrupt vendor has limited my options for resolving this matter. To add insult to injury, the last correspondence from American Express Customer Service dated May 7, 2002 states: Under normal circumstances, we would be able to contact Buymore Products Inc. on your behalf. However, due to the time that has elapsed since the charge(s) were incurred, we regret that we are unable to do so.

I have only sought since the beginning of this process is to be made whole. I made honest attempts with the vendor to resolve the issues. I was diligent and thorough in my follow up with American Express Customer Service. In spite of all this I am now left with a bill for $31,400, I dont have the software I sought to purchase in the first place and I have no recourse with a now bankrupt vendor.

Jill should retain legal counsel. In fact, she should have done so as soon as problems arose.

I won an award from my company in the form of 500 points on a Persona Select Card which has the American Express Logo on it. I was planning on using it at a Marriott in New York City but delayed my trip a few weeks because of bad weather. When I went to use the card I was told it had expired. I immediately called Persona Select and was told that they cannot extend the card.

To make a long story short American Express kept the 500 dollars that my company paid. After my company tried in vain to get the card reinstated I wrote to the Vice President of this company and copied in the President and Chairman of American Express. I never received a written response but got a call from some fresh kid who lectured me and basically said he didn't care if I cancelled my account. The one question I wanted answered is who got the 500 dollars since my company did not get it back. I had to assume that American Express got the money.

The next day I realized that I never received back any of the money that I had paid for my membership which is $150.00. I called American Express and they looked into it and said I would get back $112.00 but I would have to call back the next day to get the check issued. I also asked about the membership rewards points and the girl I spoke to said she thought I had 6 months also. I called Membership rewards again today and explained that since American Express did not return my money that they should reinstate my points and I mentioned that the girl I spoke to thought it was six months also.

The person I spoke to went to check and said the six months only applies when I get another American Express card. I told her I don't think so, I have finally come to the conclusion that American Express has very shoddy business practices.

The bank that AMEX deals with approved the balance transfer, not I. I have never even used this card. I have written three letters and received absolutely no response. I have called nearly every month, but am now so frustrated, I don't know what else to do. Once I tried not paying the minimum due and when they called me I tried explaining again. I talked to one supervisor who agreed that the bank had made a mistake and that I needed to go ahead and make the payment then she would back me. Well, that never happened.

I believe this constitutes consumer fraud, bait and switch and general misrepresentation on the part of American Express. My requests for credit to my account and reinstatement of the guaranteed finance rate have been denied and ignored. To date I have been charged over $1300.00 in erroneous finance charges, as well as potentially damaging credit reports resulting from payment issues surrounding the problem.

AMEX part to investigate the claim I made.

They sent me another form letter saying they would re-investigate.It

On Friday, December 4th, I tried to use my American Express Card at Don Allen's Service Center (auto repair). The card was not accepted by American Express. I called American Express and only asked if I had a past due amount. They stated that I didn't. I then assumed that the computer had been down when I tried to complete my transaction with the auto repair center earlier that day.

On December 9, 1998 at approximately 10:00 a.m., I checked my home voice-mail from work. There was a message from Ms. L from MAC and PC Solutions. She called to verify a computer purchase for approximately $3,600. Since, I didn't order the computer, Ms. L advised me to call American Express.

I called American Express. They stated that someone had called them (using my name and other information) during the first week of December and asked for a new card. American Express cancelled the card that was in my wallet and issued a new card with a new number. The card was mailed out on the first week of December. I told the representative that I did not call American Express and never received another card.   She then connected me to the Fraud Department. 

In addition, I remembered that a phone repairman came by my house on Sunday, December 6th stating that Bell Atlantic had received a call from me on Saturday stating that I did not have a dial tone on my phone. I told the repairman that I had not had any problems with my phone and I did not place the call. I called Bell Atlantic on December 9th to verify that they had sent a repairman to my house. Bell Atlantic stated that someone had called on Saturday, December 5th and stated that there was no dial tone on my phone and to forward my calls to a 202 number. Bell Atlantic called the number and found out that it was a pager number. The pager service was with American Personal Communications. The Bell Atlantic representative also stated that the voice on the voice-mail stated that her name was Cynthia. 

I called the pager number given to me by the Bell Atlantic representative. The owner of the pager did indeed identify herself as Cynthia on the voice-mail, but it was not my voice.

I then called the Fairfax County Police. They stated that a detective would call me back sometime within the week.

I then had my phone number changed to an unlisted number.

December 10, 1998

Ms. Grayson from the Fairfax County Police called me. She told me to ensure that I called the Postal Inspector. (I did that and also) called the Fraud Victims Department of the following offices to put a Fraud Alert on my files - Equifax, Transunion, and Experion.

I called the Sprint/PCS office to ensure that the pager number used was not in my name. They stated that it wasn't.

I also talked to the Bell Atlantic repair office. Since I have two phone lines in my house, I asked them if I could have a statement placed in my files that states to only have phone calls forwarded to the other line that is in my house upon request. They stated that they couldn't. They also stated that it is common practice for them to forward calls to another number if someone calls and says they do not have a dial tone. 

They do not use any special security precautions - only the business office does. Ms. C, the supervisor, stated that they never had any problems. Then she proceeded to tell me that she didn't even know if she was actually speaking with me. She said that she would call me back the next day. I haven't heard from her.

December 16, 1998

I received a confirmation letter in the mail from MicroWarehouse reference an order. I called Customer Service. They stated that an order for a computer was placed on December 6th and the computer was shipped on the 7th using Airborne Express. The computer was a Tecra 8000 for $4,095.83.

The computer was delivered on December 8th at 10:47 a.m. to an address in Reston, Virginia. 

I called American Express again. They stated that there was a charge of $4,095.83 on the card. In addition, they stated that there was an additional charge of $9.25 made at a Texaco Gas Station at 1765 York Avenue, NE, Washington, DC.

American Express told me to call the Fairfax County Police to get a case number.  I left a message for Ms. Grayson.

December 18, 1998

Ms. Grayson called and stated that they will not open a case unless American Express specifically asks them to do so. She stated that I could not personally press charges because I didn't lose any money and she knows of no laws on the books against someone pretending to be me, having my calls forwarded to another number, using my social security number, and ordering equipment from an unauthorized credit card.

I called American Express and told them that they were going to have to contact the Fairfax County Police directly.

Other Notes

On Thursday afternoon, December 3rd or 4th, I went home early. I noticed that a woman in an older model brown car was following behind the postman. When the postman stopped to put the mail in the boxes, she parked her car, walked over to him, and began conversing. When he finished, she got back in her car and followed behind his truck.

On July 1rd 1999, I received my bank account statement and noticed that over $3,000 of my money had been withdrawn from my bank account using American Express "cash." I called American Express and they stated that they had cancelled the card that was still in my wallet and issued a new card because someone called and stated that I had lost my credit card. The person also gave them my bank account number so that American Express checks/electronic withdrawals could be issued against it. 

I was very angry with American Express because my account (from the last incident) was still under a fraud investigation. They should have called me at work to verify that I really needed the new card.

This was not advertised as a limited time offer. False Advertising. I had to take the time to close 12 DRIP accounts, which will now involve taxes, change my investment strategy because I will not be able to take advantage of the present buying opportunity-with the downturn in the market, and will have to make an exit to another brokerage with a better offer. This will cause a timely delay in my investing as my new account goes through its procedures to be activated. It has cost me time, money and emotional stress.