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Sued by American Express? How to Settle Your Debt

George Simons | January 30, 2025

George Simons
Co-Founder of SoloSuit
George Simons, JD/MBA

George Simons is the co-founder and CEO of SoloSuit. He has helped Americans protect over $1 billion from predatory debt lawsuits. George graduated from BYU Law school in 2020 with a JD-MBA. In his spare time, George likes to cook, because he likes to eat.

Edited by Hannah Locklear

Hannah Locklear
Editor at SoloSuit
Hannah Locklear, BA

Hannah Locklear is SoloSuit’s Marketing and Impact Manager. With an educational background in Linguistics, Spanish, and International Development from Brigham Young University, Hannah has also worked as a legal support specialist for several years.

Summary: Being sued by American Express can put you in a stressful situation. Be sure to file a written Answer to avoid a default judgment, then reach out to Amex to negotiate and settle the debt. If you’re facing financial hardship, they will probably settle for less.

If you've seen an American Express ad, you undoubtedly have heard their tagline: Don't Live Life Without It. Here's what you can live without: being sued by American Express. But if American Express has sued you, this isn't the time to panic.

This is the time to keep your head about you. Proper decisions followed by decisive action by the consumer are imperative. Being involved in an American Express lawsuit can be intimidating for most people, but the consumer who takes action to develop a strategy will get the best possible outcome.

If you received a Summons for an American Express lawsuit, you must gather as much information on the company as possible. Keep in mind, if American Express has filed a suit, they are prepared to do whatever they deem necessary to collect any unpaid balances. Acquiring as much information as possible can lead to the strongest defense and a chance to resolve the debt quickly.

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What is American Express?

American Express, commonly known as Amex, is a multinational financial services corporation headquartered in New York City. Founded in 1850, it is one of the oldest and most recognized financial brands in the US and the world.

Amex is best known for its charge cards, credit cards, and travel-related services. Its products cater to individual consumers and businesses, offering a range of premium benefits like rewards programs, travel perks, and concierge services. The company also provides merchant services, allowing businesses to accept American Express cards as a payment method.

Amex is distinctive in the financial industry for its emphasis on high-quality customer service and exclusive benefits, particularly for its premium cardholders. Its flagship products include the Platinum Card, Centurion Card (also known as the "Black Card"), and various co-branded credit cards.

Use the contact information below to contact Amex headquarters. For other locations, visit the company’s website.

  • Address: 200 Vesey Street, New York, NY 10285-3106
  • Phone: 212-640-2000

Amex also lists different phone numbers for specific services. For example, credit card holders use different phone numbers than travel services clients for prompt assistance.

Who does Amex collect for?

American Express (Amex) collects debts from customers who owe money on their credit or charge card accounts. As a financial institution, Amex handles debt collection in several ways.

Amex typically attempts to collect overdue balances through its internal collections department. Collection efforts involve contacting the cardholder via phone, email, or written communication to resolve the outstanding amount. Sometimes, Amex may offer payment plans or settlements to help cardholders manage their debt.

If the debt remains unpaid after several attempts, Amex may assign or sell the debt to third-party collection agencies. These agencies then pursue the debtor for payment. In extreme cases, Amex may initiate legal action to recover the debt by filing a lawsuit to seek judgment against the debtor.

If you’re facing financial difficulties and unable to make payments, it's crucial to communicate with Amex to avoid escalation. They may offer options to help you manage your account and avoid further complications.

Read Amex reviews online.

Learn more about American Express by reading what fellow consumers think of the company. Find the reviews on the following platforms:

Consumers have had varied experiences with the company. However, it’s refreshing to see that engaging Amex leads to pleasant results. A user named Calvin M. had this to say about American Express:

“I've been having many bad luck with many financial institutions recently and it's started to make me appreciate what American Express has to offer. I've had to dispute four separate charges on my new **** card, and each time, the process was simple, easy, and seamless. Customer service listened to me intently, took genuine care in answering my questions, and concisely informed me they were unable to give me information they did not have. By far the best customer service I've experienced in the past year.”

Seeing how helpful contacting Amex is can encourage you to reach out and find a solution for your debt.

How to respond if you’re sued by American Express

If the AMEX collection department fails to collect the debt, the company may decide to sue. Generally, if the unpaid balance is small, they will simply write it off. If the balance is significant, they may proceed to litigation. The exact amount would differ depending on the jurisdiction of the suit, which is usually where the consumer lives.

Once they decide to move forward, you will be served a Summons to appear in court to “answer” the specific allegations in the Complaint. The worst thing a consumer can do is to ignore the Complaint. The weeks following the service are a critical period for the consumer. You have every right to answer every single allegation made against you. If you fail to take this action, the most likely outcome is that American Express will file a motion with the court to secure a summary judgment.

Use SoloSuit to avoid a summary judgment.

If the court rules in Amex’s favor, the company may take some, if not all, of the following actions against you to satisfy the judgment:

  • Place a lien on your personal property
  • Freeze your bank accounts
  • Garnish your wages

Do not let this happen to you. Take action and respond to the Complaint.

Settle your debt with American Express

Settling debt with American Express (Amex) typically involves negotiating a reduced payment to resolve the balance owed. Here's how to proceed:

  1. Assess your financial situation: Review your total debt and determine how much you can afford to pay. Ensure you have documentation of your income, expenses, and financial hardships (if applicable).
  2. Contact Amex: Use the contact details on your statement or Amex’s website to call the customer service or collections department. Be prepared to explain your financial situation and why you’re unable to pay the full balance. If they are willing to consider a settlement, proceed to the next step.
  3. Propose a settlement: Start by offering a percentage of the debt. A 30%-50% offer is reasonable enough to kick off the negotiations. Remember, Amex will likely counter your initial offer, so leave some room for upward negotiations. Be polite and firm. When you reach your budget’s limit, make it clear that this is what you can afford. Do not agree to a settlement amount you may default on.
  4. Get the agreement terms in writing: Before making any payment, request written confirmation of the settlement agreement, including the agreed amount, the payment deadline or schedule, and confirmation that the remaining balance will be forgiven.
  5. Pay the debt: Pay as agreed and retain proof of payment.

Remember to check your credit report regularly to ensure Amex changes the tag on your account from “account in collections” to “settled.”

To learn more about how to negotiate with American Express, check out this video:

Settle debt with American Express

You can negotiate debt settlement at any stage of the collections process. SoloSettle makes it easy.

Settle with SoloSettle

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