American Express Former Employer Placed Charges on Canceled Amex Corp. Card New York New York

My former employer, Choice Hotels International placed a $207 charge on my American Express Corporate Card account through their automatic card reimbursement system three months after they (the corporation) requested the account be closed.

I turned in my AmEX corporate card to HR along with my ID and keys when I left the company. 10 days later the company requested that the account be closed at which point there was a credit balance (i.e. they owed me $800).

About 3 months later I received a check for the negative balance. The day after the check was issued Choice Hotels' automated expense reimbursement system placed the $207 charge on the account. I was not aware of the latter because my statements were mailed to my company's headquarters.

Three months later someone in accounting mailed a statement to me. I contacted American Express and informed them that of the facts recounted above. AmEx told me I had to resolve this with my employer.

I e-mailed the VP of HR at Choice Hotels (to whom I had turned in my card). I did not receive a response.

After a month I sent a return-receipt letter detailing the matter to my Choice Hotels' general counsel. This generated a call from HR saying they would look into the matter.

Over this period, I responded to numerous calls from American Express and disputed the charges. In every case they told me I needed to resolve the matter with my employer. Their (AmEx's) responses made it clear that they always assumed I was still an employee of the company.

After American Express threatened to send the matter to collections, I sent a return receipt letter to American Express' general counsel and included my correspondence with my former employer. I asked the general counsel to intercede after reviewing the record.

I have received no response to any of my letters and, to date, do not know anything about the charges except that they were placed on my account. However, American express notified me by mail that they would send the matter to collections if I did not make immediate payment. So, I once again notified Amex's general counsel that I was concerned about the possible impact on my credit rating and future earning power.

Any suggestions for a next step?

Drewcooks
Bethesda, Maryland
U.S.A.