Steve Colar, Stephanie Hanson, Randy,Joseph Diaz D.b.a. American Express Company Abusive Collection Practices, Arrogant American Express Employees Utilize Intimidation Tactics to Collect Debts Miramar Florida

At 4:41pm cst on Monday,March 15,2004 an American Express employee name Mr. Steve Colar left me a voice mail that indirectly threatened legal action if I did not return his call by 7:30pm cst. I returned Mr. Colar's phone call, he aggressively said we are going to sue you if you do not come up with the entire balance. I explained to Mr. Colar that I was having financial difficulties and just simply do not have the money to pay the balance in full.

He proceeded to make indirect and direct threats. He said with frustration that he will just try to get me on fraud intent then(their was no fraudulent activities on my part). I told Mr. Colar I would try to borrow the money from someone and would call him later that evening.

I was unsuccessful with finding someone to borrow me the money. So I decided to call Mr. Colar(conversation tape recorded)and told him he would have to follow through with his threats because I just can not come up with the entire balance owed. Mr. Colar(American Express Employee)began to insult me, belittle me and threaten me. He insulted my parents by implying that they did not raise me right. He threatened to call my parents while I was speaking to him. He stated that a judgement or lawsuit will prevent me from ever finding a job or apartment. American Express also has totally demolished my Consumer Credit Report with several derogatory entries. Mr. Colar stated that they put a total of five entries on my credit report.

After speaking with Mr. Colar I attempted to contact his supervisor, when I called their number(1-800-879-4358 ext.28065)a very rude American Express employee name Randy wouldn't let me through to his supervisor(Ms. Stephanie Hanson)he raised his voice and stated
that American Express is the creditor and he can do whatever he feels like, he went on to say that he can even contact my church and give out my personal account information if he wanted to. Randy then hung up the telephone.

I called back and a Tanya put me through to Stephanie Hanson(Supervisor) who apathetically said she will just have a talk with Mr. Colar and Randy. I believe she condones this behavior. The two American Express employees aforementioned are still working in collections and mediation. Actually, just recently I was contacted by Mr. Steve Colar again,and he made reference to my family members. I know their are many victims of American Express collection activities and if you have been victimized, please file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission,local Attorney General's office and www.badbusinessbureau.com immediately. It is not illegal to be in debt and every debtor needs to be treated like a human being.

Finally, I want to say that American Express is tha most unprofessional company I have ever come in contact with. I did not force them to approve me for credit, they made the decision to send me a credit card and now that I am having financial trouble like the other 9,000,000 unemployed Americans in this country they want to HARRASS, THREATEN, and INTIMIDATE me.

Karl
Hopkins, Minnesota
U.S.A.