American Express Bluebird AMERICAN EXPRESS BLUEBIRD DOES NOT PROTECT CONSUMERS UTAH UTAH AND NYC

On October 31, 2014, I received a direct deposit payroll allocation of $621.78 to my American Express Bluebird account. Coupled with a previous balance, I was due to make my car payment, buy groceries and pay my electric. I paid my Xcel Energy bill for $187.22 at around 9am. At approximately, 4:45pm, I drove to Lobel Financial to pay my car note. I logged into American Express Bluebird to authorize a check. I discovered that my account balance was zero. Frantically, I scrolled the transactions. Two charges jumped out. One for Meijer, which I never heard of and one for McDonalds. I called American Express to stop the charges as they were still pending. I was put on hold repeatedly and told that nothing could be done until the charges went through. I hung up, filed a police report and Googled Meijer. I called the corporate office and was transferred to store 243 in Michigan. I was transferred to security and told that two people were on camera using a card which apparently had my card number on it. Also, the McDonalds is in Michigan. I have never left Colorado, nor do I know anyone in Michigan. Most perplexing is I still have my card in my possession.

I called American Express again and again and begged for my pay, which is all the money I have in the world. I told them my children would have no food and my car would be repoed(my car is a requirement for work). They said the investigation would take 10 to 45 days before I would receive a refund, maybe. I told them that I would lose my car which means I lose my job and I have no money to feed my children. I was told that the fraud isn't their fault and that is their policy. I told asked them if their policy was to leave children hungry? He said, "Yes, if it means that there is no money to feed them."

Seven days have past since I faxed the affidavit of fraud and police report. I called to ask when I could receive my money. I was told it could be 45 days. I told them they do not protect consumers. Most banks notice that a charge is another state and freeze the account. NOT AT AMERICAN EXPRESS. My money is their money to do with as they choose.

In the meantime, Lobel is going to take my car in a few days and I went to the only food bank in my area. I will lose my job without a car. I am an electrician. I must have a car and tools, therefore I can't pawn my tools. I am a full time student at UCD School of engineering, which means I don't have much between school, kids and work.

I think people need to know that AMEX Bluebird does not protect them at all. Please let consumers know.

Thank you