American Express Reporting to National Credit Bureaus Date: Mon, 29 Apr 1996 14:39:43 -0400 From: "Timothy E. Calkins (Lesley Levi)" To: "USGS Employees" Subject: American Express Reporting to National Credit Bureaus Please share this message with other employees who do not have access to e-mail. In Reply Refer To: Mail Stop 270 MEMORANDUM April 26, 1996 To: All USGS Employees From: Timothy E. Calkins Acting Chief, Office of Financial Management Subject: American Express Reporting to National Credit Bureaus This memorandum is to advise all U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Government travel cardholders that American Express (AMEX) Government Travel Management Services has announced its intent to begin reporting to national credit reporting bureaus those Government cardholders who have been canceled because of delinquencies. AMEX is doing this under an option in its government-wide contract with Government Services Administration. The accounts which will be reported are those which are at least 120 days delinquent, have balances greater than $100, and have already been canceled. This change is being implemented to assist the federal agencies in managing the use of the Government Travel Charge Card and to encourage the cardholders to diligently manage their accounts. All cardholders who currently meet the criteria stated above will be receiving a letter from AMEX advising them that their account will be reported to the national credit bureaus if the delinquent amount is not paid within 45 days of the notice. In addition, the standard suspension notice from AMEX to the cardholders who are 90 days past due will be amended to advise them that if their account remains seriously delinquent and is subsequently canceled AMEX will be reporting the account to the national credit bureaus. The new USGS credit card policy (OFM IM-96-04) will in addition require AMEX to cancel all accounts which are 90 days delinquent. The next AMEX newsletter ?Dispatch?, expected out in June/July, will contain an informational article announcing further changes to be implemented by AMEX. The article will define the criteria for credit bureau reporting and how to avoid it. In addition, letters will be sent at that time to delinquent cardholders who are at 75 and/or 90 days past due advising them that their account is seriously delinquent and that delay in payment of the account will result in reporting to the national credit bureau. To recap what is to happen immediately, AMEX will be reporting to national credit reporting bureaus those accounts which are already canceled, that are at least 120 days delinquent, and have a balance greater than $100. For further information contact the AMEX Bureau Coordinator, Susan Sheely at 7602, or e-mail Ssheely@usgs.gov.