@sexy_kitten7 wrote:
@Middleswarth wrote:
So the check spending limit button alerts Amex?
This is good to know. While this card will primarily be used for groceries, I may use it again for big ticket purchases (for the extra warranty).Yes. A fun fact I learned here on myFICO
In fact, people have been FR'd after jokingly typing in something outrageous like 30k!
I think this is more in the realm of myth than substantiated.
@Middleswarth wrote:@jre wrote:
@Middleswarth wrote:
Since this is a brand new card and I did make a nearly $2k purchase, I will let it go. However, if this becomes an issue and it happens again, the BCE will find its way to my sock drawer. I have other cards with high limits that have not done this to me.
I do appreciate the fraud protection, but they could have contacted me first. I mean I bought a laptop online - its not like it was going to be shipped that day. Or if they really needed to verify they could have done it before I used the card. Luckily it was not declined in a store. That would have been embarrassing enough that I may have totally lost my cool on the phone.
2k online purchase for a new card is suspicious and they don't know when the item will be shipped. Some merchants allow for same day or next say pick-up. The method of their verification is a bit odd, but you should be appreciative because if this wasn't an authorized purchase you'd be in here venting about how they didn't take steps to protect you.
Really?
In case it wasn't clear (most people got it but I want to be sure)...
This is about the conference call I had with Amex and my bank. It struck me as very strange. I have no problem with fraud protection (and I never said so in any post here). I don't even have a big issue with the conference call. However if I find that I cannot use my BCE without it being flagged and frozen, then it goes in the sock drawer. I do not need the aggravation.
+1 I find it comical someone is suggesting to you that you should appreciate the fact Amex declined your purchase and made you go through a conference call with your bank. Its all about the lender protecting themselves and they could care less about protecting the card holder. That being said a large purchase on a brand new card will normally trigger a lender to investigate and I have seen it with other lenders as well, because they want to make sure nobody intercepted your card in the mail. If I am making a large purchase on a new card I will normally notify them in advance. Of course, if my account was getting frozen on one of my older cards I would not be very forgiving.
;
@red259 wrote:
@Middleswarth wrote:@jre wrote:
@Middleswarth wrote:
Since this is a brand new card and I did make a nearly $2k purchase, I will let it go. However, if this becomes an issue and it happens again, the BCE will find its way to my sock drawer. I have other cards with high limits that have not done this to me.
I do appreciate the fraud protection, but they could have contacted me first. I mean I bought a laptop online - its not like it was going to be shipped that day. Or if they really needed to verify they could have done it before I used the card. Luckily it was not declined in a store. That would have been embarrassing enough that I may have totally lost my cool on the phone.
2k online purchase for a new card is suspicious and they don't know when the item will be shipped. Some merchants allow for same day or next say pick-up. The method of their verification is a bit odd, but you should be appreciative because if this wasn't an authorized purchase you'd be in here venting about how they didn't take steps to protect you.
Really?
In case it wasn't clear (most people got it but I want to be sure)...
This is about the conference call I had with Amex and my bank. It struck me as very strange. I have no problem with fraud protection (and I never said so in any post here). I don't even have a big issue with the conference call. However if I find that I cannot use my BCE without it being flagged and frozen, then it goes in the sock drawer. I do not need the aggravation.
+1 I find it comical someone is suggesting to you that you should appreciate the fact Amex declined your purchase and made you go through a conference call with your bank. Its all about the lender protecting themselves and they could care less about protecting the card holder. That being said a large purchase on a brand new card will normally trigger a lender to investigate and I have seen it with other lenders as well, because they want to make sure nobody intercepted your card in the mail. If I am making a large purchase on a new card I will normally notify them in advance. Of course, if my account was getting frozen on one of my older cards I would not be very forgiving.
+1 To make matters worse, many POS systems don't even use the word "Decline" anymore! Ex: Staples.
Maybe they find it impolite or awkward. But I'd rather know WHY the transaction failed versus just guessing with the clueless cashier!
Some banks call/text you right away when this happens (e.g. USBank), but most don't (e.g. Chase). Apparently leaving the consumer in the dark is another "security feature associated with this account for your protection!" Unbelievable!
@14Fiesta wrote:
@cashnocredit wrote:I've had my Cit card briefly frozen until I texted them back and also got a call verifying I'd made two charges half an hour apart at the same gas station. Apparently people don't buy gas 1/2 hour apart normally. I had just picked up my car and returrned a loaner and they both needed gas.
Never had any problem with Amex and I've used it a lot.
Things vary.
Oh my gosh and never EVER return a car without paying for the gas. LOL my local Hertz charges like 8-9 bucks a gallon if you don't do it yourself. I completely understand why they do that but WOW is it still a sticker shock to think how expensive that could get very quickly. Sorry for getting off topic but I just thought of that when I read your post.
The problem was that I did fill up just prior to returning the loaner then, when I picked up my car from service, it was low on gas so I stopped at the same station and filled it up. It was the two gas purchases a short time apart that triggered the call. It was an automated call. They didn't shut the card down but just requested I call them if the charges weren't mine.
