American Express BlueBird American Express Financial Services Took Money Out of Account via Terminal Decline and is Now Holding onto Funds Lilburn Nationwide

On June 25, 2015, I went shopping at Kroger Grocery store, knowing full well that funds were available in my Bluebird account. Upon checking out, I ran my American Express Bluebird Card through the terminal, and the transaction was declined. The cashier asked me to run the card again, and once again, the card was declined. Unfortunately, the cashier was nice enough to run the American Express Bluebird Card manually through the hand-key method, and viola, a miracle happend, it went through.

While concerned about the declines, I opened the American Express Bluebird App on my iphone, which provides realtime information on every transaction. I immediately saw $144.07 was taken out of my account a total of three times---making it a grand total $432.21! I showed this to the Kroger cashier, who by the way, was very confused because each transaction, other than the handkey, stated the card was DECLINED. 

Now, why would every decline result in $144.07 taken out of my account? 

Monday, June 29, 2015 - I noticed that two transactions in the amount of $288.14 were still on hold from Kroger. The handkeyed transaction went through on 06/25/2015. Therefore, I contacted American Express Bluebird at 877-486-5990. I was told by the representative that they no longer issue chargebacks, and that I will have to wait a total of eight days to have the money returned to my account.

I asked to speak with the supervisor, and (he/she) indicated that there was an upgrade to their system, and they can no longer "instantly" put money back in the account. Which is news to me. I was never notified of such an upgrade. If they would have notified me either via email, text, or even on their website, I could have basically made an educated decision about whether or not to continue using American Express Bluebird.

I was told told that Friday, July 3, 2015 will be the day the money is returned.  They also suggested that I contact Kroger, because it looks like the error came from their end. Come to find out, that's a complete lie.

June 29, 2015. contacted Kroger. Thankfully, the nice gentleman explained to me that my transactions were declined because American Express Bluebird showed that I did not have the available funds in my account. He was just as baffled as to why all of a sudden a handkey would go through after the third time. He also mentioned that this is not the first time that this has happened with American Express Bluebird. He recommended that I call American Express Bluebird back to explain that it was indeed their fault and that I should process a chargeback.

Called American Express Bluebird again. I explained to the person, who could barely speak English, that the issue lies with American Express Bluebird, and that I want my money immediately returned. Of course, my complaint fell on deaf years, and all I got was "I'm so sorry for the inconvience." However, there is nothing further I can do. It takes 2 to 8 days for the money to be returned. Why my transaction, which is completely their fault, is taking 8 days to revert back to my account.

Here's my assumption. $288.14 may not seem like a lot of money to some, but it can be life and death to many. American Express Bluebird is committing fraud by taking money under the guise of declined transactions and holding it hostage for 8 days. There is no indication anywhere on the American Express Bluebird site of the system upgrade or the statement the money will be held for 8 days. There is not mention on the APP of a system upgrade. This is fraud. I will say it again American Express Bluebird is committing fraud and taking money that does not belong to them and holding it hostage for 8 long days. This is bad business on behalf of American Express and Walmart.

If I were an American Express credit card holder, you can bet that I would have had the money instantly returned. Since this is a "poor person's" card, they think it appropriate to take money through fraud and not offer any reasonable explanation. I urge anyone that is considering an American Express Bluebird Card (from Walmart) to look at other options. Do not, get an American Express Bluebird card. 

Luckily, I have no problem getting information about companies and the people that work for them. I will be enundating American Express Bluebird with email complaints, as well as complaints against Walmart. These complaints may go unheard with behemouths like these two corporations. But there's always social media---what a great platform to warn others not to engage American Express Bluebird. DO NOT GIVE THEM YOUR HARD EARNED MONEY. Therefore, I urge anyone that has been taken advantage of by American Express Bluebird, to file complaints and let your friends know via social media. This cannot continue.