Amex never forgets... an experiment.

ambc

I was made bankrupt a little over 7 years ago (unfortunate long story, completely unavoidable circumstances) and held a small balance on an Amex card at the time.

Been squeaky clean since then and thought I'd try again for an Amex Platinum cashback card a week or two ago just as an experiment, as I know my CRF is starting to look favourable again and I'm not planning to apply for anything significant such as a mortgage for another 24 months or so.

My answer dropped through the door today - "our records show that you held an Amex card some time ago and your account was not managed according to the agreement", etc, etc.

The letter's in the bin so I can't remember the exact wording, but it included nothing about credit scores, or checking with Experian, or anything like that.

Just goes to show that some financial companies (Amex, at least) will blacklist you for previous mis-management.

Thought that info might be useful for someone.

System

Once accounts go to debt collection or are written off, banks will often refuse to do business with you again [ based on internal data] even when credit files are squeaky clean.

ambc wrote: »

I was made bankrupt a little over 7 years ago (unfortunate long story, completely unavoidable circumstances) and held a small balance on an Amex card at the time.

Been squeaky clean since then and thought I'd try again for an Amex Platinum cashback card a week or two ago

My answer dropped through the door today - "our records show that you held an Amex card some time ago and your account was not managed according to the agreement", etc, etc.

simax

I thought Barclaycard would be the same but was accepted by them a few weeks ago (after a manual referral) even though I fell into serious trouble with them in the 90's....

RichL74

I dont understand why if you defaulted with a company before and owed them however much you owed them, that after however many years you think its okay to wait, you jump into bed with the EXACT same company again and wonder why you get declined?

Maybe it's just me.

InsideInsurance

RichL74 wrote: »

I dont understand why if you defaulted with a company before and owed them however much you owed them, that after however many years you think its okay to wait, you jump into bed with the EXACT same company again and wonder why you get declined?

Maybe it's just me.

In some principle I agree but at the same time very few people's circumstances remain identical throughout their whole life.

As others have mentioned, some certainly do have a change of heart as my ex was made bankrupt by a bank on a mortgage and unsecured debt. Eventually written off and a couple of years after that she then started working for them, had current accounts/ credit cards/ loans etc

lisyloo

I'd say it's up to the lender to decide.
If I were the lender I'd say it's my decision who I lend to. You can think I'm wrong if you don't like my policies but surely it's up to me, just as it's up to you what you do with your money (within the law of course).

I'd like to think people can change but I can't say that I'd always want my investments to be risky, sometimes they have to be safe.

giblet10

Amex are notorious for 'blacklisting for life'.

I have similar situation to you OP - major financial issues about 10 years ago and Amex was one of my creditors - I also got the same letter as you when I applied recently.

As I've said before on here, from experience:

- Amex don't appear to forgive
- Barclaycard didn't forgive me so interested to see your post Simax

The ones who did forgive (or forgot!) are:

- Lloyds & TSB (I have both)
- Cap One
- MBNA (although since closed as it didn't have any real benefits)
- Halifax

GingerBob_3

There are data protection rules (ha!) which state that personal data must not be kept for longer than is necessary to perform a specific function (or words to that effect). Clearly the function here is lifetime blacklisting. It may be worth checking with the ICO to see what they think about it.

dumpyboy

After nearly 8 years from when i ran in to trouble What I find more of a worry is when a total diffrent ( one you owed nothing to) company refuse to let you have there services and tell you the date of a defaulted account from early 2007 that has not been on my credit report for over a year

forgotmyname

Cap 1 or MBNA i forget which offered me a silly credit limit and fairly high interest rate.

The letter mentioned about rebuilding a poor credit file etc. Err nope my credit file is fine since i refused to talk to their staff that could not understand that i was off work sick and couldnt make the payment they wanted.

So you want more than i get. How does that work. Can you borrow it. Yes will you lend it to me...

I had to wait for them to sell the debt on before sorting it out.

I have since sorted myself out and have no debts now. I have credit cards that are payed every month without fail.

BillJones

InsideInsurance wrote: »

In some principle I agree but at the same time very few people's circumstances remain identical throughout their whole life.

This is true, and at any time since the original problems, let's say when those circumstances did improve, the OP could have chosen to make good on the debts that they did not pay back in full as part of the bankruptcy.

If they've chosen not to do so, then of course a company is not going to be keen to deal with them again, as it shows that either they are still the sort of person who chooses not to pay back money, even if they can, or that they are still in trouble.