Billed on Credit Card Account, Paid-Off and Closed Five Years Ago
My question involves collection proceedings in the State of: Texas
Company Involved: American Express
Account Balance paid in final, single payment: $2,551.36
Account paid-off in full: September 27, 2005
Zero Balance Confirmation sent by AmEx: November 15, 2005
Additional Amount Demanded Immediately: $198.40
Notice Date: April 4th, 2011
Notice Delivered: April 11th, 2011
Details:
I had a lot of balance on my cards back when I was in college and I paid them all off when I finally started making money. The company in question is American Express and I had already made the final payment to clear out all balances and closed the account almost 6 years ago. I have a letter from AmEx stating that they recieved said payment and that my account balance after the payment is ZERO.
I have not opened or owned an Amex account since and haven't recieved any communication from them regarding any pending balances. Now, all of a sudden, after almost 6 years, they are demanding money from me again. This is depressing and frustrating. I called Amex today (April 12th , 2011) and they are saying their system says I owe them money and I need to pay and they don't have any details. I told them I paid it off in full and closed the account and also have the letter from them stating that my account is clear and has a zero balance. They are saying that doesn't mean anything.
What should i do? Please help.
Thanks
Nick
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_V...%20Balance.jpg
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_V.../s1024/WTH.jpg
Re: Billed on Credit Card Account, Paid-Off and Closed Five Years Ago
I'd mail them a copy of that first letter to both the Zwicker and the address on the letterhead. I'd point out that the account was paid in full and that any action now (even if it wasn't) is time barred. Texas SOL is only four years.
While it's possible they posted some finance charge/late fee (as it aludes to in the boxed text in the original letter), they've waited way too long to do anything about it.