How to Remove Amex/DSNB From Your Credit Report

Seeing “Amex/DSNB” on your credit report can throw you off, especially if you don’t immediately connect it to a store card. This entry almost always ties back to a Macy’s or Bloomingdale’s credit card, issued by Department Stores National Bank in partnership with American Express. It can show up as a hard inquiry, an open or closed account, or even as an authorized user entry.

If you recognize it, this article will help you understand how it affects your credit score. If you don’t, it could point to an error or something more serious. Here’s what to know and what to do either way.

What Is Amex/DSNB on Your Credit Report?

Amex/DSNB stands for American Express/Department Stores National Bank. DSNB is a Citibank subsidiary that issues credit cards for Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s. When you interact with either of those store cards in any way, DSNB is the entity that shows up on your credit report.

There are a few different ways it can appear:

• Hard inquiry: You applied for a Macy’s or Bloomingdale’s credit card.
• Tradeline: You currently have or previously had a store card account.
• Soft inquiry: You were prequalified or received a credit limit review.
• Authorized user: Someone added you to their Macy’s or Bloomingdale’s account.

If none of those apply to you, treat it as a red flag and investigate right away.

Why Amex/DSNB Might Be on Your Credit Report

There are several legitimate reasons this entry could appear, and understanding which one applies to you determines what, if anything, you need to do about it.

You Opened a Macy’s or Bloomingdale’s Card

If you applied for and received a store credit card, Amex/DSNB will appear as a tradeline on your credit report. That means the account is being reported to the credit bureaus, whether it’s open or closed. Even closed accounts in good standing can remain on your credit report for up to 10 years, and they may actually help your credit score by lengthening your credit history.

You Applied but Didn’t Open an Account

Applying for a Macy’s or Bloomingdale’s credit card triggers a hard inquiry regardless of whether you were approved or completed the process. That inquiry can cause a small dip in your credit score and stays on your credit report for up to two years, though the effect typically fades within 12 months.

You Were Prequalified or Received a Credit Line Review

Soft inquiries from Amex/DSNB don’t affect your credit score at all. These happen when the store checks your credit to offer preapproval or review your existing credit limit. You may not even remember opting in.

You Were Added as an Authorized User

If someone added you to their Macy’s or Bloomingdale’s account, that account can show up on your credit report and affect your credit score, for better or worse. Strong payment history and low balances help. Missed payments and high utilization can drag your credit score down even if you never used the card yourself.

How Amex/DSNB Affects Your Credit Score

An Amex/DSNB account isn’t inherently good or bad for your credit score. How you manage it, or how the primary account holder manages it if you’re an authorized user, is what matters. Here’s what the different factors look like:

• Payment history: On-time payments strengthen your credit score. Late payments can stay on your credit report for up to seven years.
• Credit utilization: High balances relative to your credit limit hurt your credit score. Keeping utilization under 30% is a good baseline, and under 10% is better.
• Account age: Older accounts add depth to your credit history. Closing them prematurely can shorten your average account age and lower your credit score.
• Credit mix: Adding a store card can improve your credit mix if most of your existing accounts are installment loans.
• Hard inquiries: A new application drops your credit score slightly and stays visible on your credit report for two years.

How Long Amex/DSNB Stays on Your Credit Report

The timeline depends on what type of entry it is. Here’s how long each one sticks around:

• Hard inquiries: Remain on your credit report for two years, with the most impact in the first 12 months.
• Open or closed accounts in good standing: Can stay on your credit report for up to 10 years.
• Negative entries like late payments: Remain on your credit report for seven years.

What to Do If You Don’t Recognize the Amex/DSNB Entry

An unfamiliar entry on your credit report is always worth investigating. It could be a clerical error, or it could be a sign that someone used your personal information to open an account without your knowledge.

Take these steps if something looks off:

• Contact DSNB directly: Ask them to explain the inquiry or account and confirm whether it was tied to an application in your name.
• Dispute with the credit bureaus: If the entry is inaccurate, file a formal dispute with any credit bureau showing it. Include your personal details and documentation supporting your claim.
• Report identity theft: If you believe someone opened an account in your name, submit a report at IdentityTheft.gov to create an official FTC record.
• Monitor your credit reports: Check all three credit bureaus for other entries you don’t recognize.

Amex/DSNB Contact Information

If you need to reach Department Stores National Bank to ask about an entry or start a dispute, here is their contact information:

Phone: (888) 257-6229

Mailing Address: Department Stores National Bank, P.O. Box 8218, Mason, OH 45040

Bottom Line

Amex/DSNB on your credit report almost always connects to a Macy’s or Bloomingdale’s store card, whether that’s an account you opened, an application you submitted, or an authorized user relationship.

If you recognize it, focus on managing the account well so it works in your favor. If you don’t recognize it, act quickly to investigate and dispute it before it does any lasting damage to your credit score.

Keeping a close eye on your credit report is one of the best habits you can build. The sooner you catch something that doesn’t belong, the easier it is to fix.