topic Re: AMEX US Based backdoor/recon number in Credit Card Applications

AMEX US Based backdoor/recon number

Meanjoegreen82 — Mon, 01 Aug 2022 18:33:38 GMT

Does anyone have a US based backdoor number for AMEX? I called the numbers in the listed thread but they all go offshore. I recently got off the blacklist and was denied my Gold Card application. The denial reasons they gave didn't add up. One said that my existing card (Optima) was carrying a high balance, it's been at zero for several months. I've read threads of other members being approved with similar and even worse profiles so I'm no ready to give up. I've listed a few DPs below

Fico 8s EQ 727/TU 717/EX 698, UTL 20%

Re: AMEX US Based backdoor/recon number

SPChaser — Tue, 02 Aug 2022 04:28:22 GMT

@Meanjoegreen82 wrote:
Does anyone have a US based backdoor number for AMEX? I called the numbers in the listed thread but they all go offshore. I recently got off the blacklist and was denied my Gold Card application. The denial reasons they gave didn't add up. One said that my existing card (Optima) was carrying a high balance, it's been at zero for several months. I've read threads of other members being approved with similar and even worse profiles so I'm no ready to give up. I've listed a few DPs below

Fico 8s EQ 727/TU 717/EX 698, UTL 20%

(877) 251-4528 that's the number to Amex underwriting. You can give it a try.

Re: AMEX US Based backdoor/recon number

Meanjoegreen82 — Tue, 02 Aug 2022 14:02:43 GMT

Thanks! I'll do that.

Re: AMEX US Based backdoor/recon number

Ramsport — Tue, 02 Aug 2022 20:14:07 GMT

I am caught in computer limbo hell.

I have platinum I applied for BCE and got declined but the computer says it is still in progress since July 2nd.

So I can't apply for anything else until they resolve July 2nd.

I can't get out of the 30 day limbo because the July 2 still says in progress.

Re: AMEX US Based backdoor/recon number

Jeffster1 — Sat, 06 Aug 2022 01:03:03 GMT

@Ramsport wrote:
I am caught in computer limbo hell.
I have platinum I applied for BCE and got declined but the computer says it is still in progress since July 2nd.
So I can't apply for anything else until they resolve July 2nd.
I can't get out of the 30 day limbo because the July 2 still says in progress.

When Amex is good, they are good, but once any complication occurs, or if they need income verification, or any time their offshore team gets confused, Amex is true hell. They have messed up my income verification for the last two months over and over. I have sent seven 4506-Cs for the same card. Their offshore team is truly the worst. They have lost or mixed up my 4506-Cs multiple times. It is impossible to unravel their own misinformation and their mistakes once the whole thing goes off the tracks.
I have caught their lies and changing stories so many times, I can't even keep track. Their offshore reps and their supervisors are very adept at giving different stories each time you call in. Still in limbo.

Good luck.

Re: AMEX US Based backdoor/recon number

Ramsport — Sat, 06 Aug 2022 15:43:54 GMT

I also was trying to get to the bottom of this no hard pull second and third credit cards.

Some people on this forum reported hard pulls while some people didn't.

One of the reps with Amex told me that the first and second applications are considered duplicate and the third is considered a new application which would result in a hard pull but when I read off my status page results none of that added up. It doesn't matter if they approve me deny me give me a 30-day message give me a 2-week message they're relying on the July 2nd credit score.

Then they tell me well you should have gotten the 30-day letter saying not to apply until 30 days are up. That 30-day letter is generated by the same system that allows you to check your status. My status from July 2nd still says in progress when we make a decision we will update. So I am stuck in 30 day limbo.

You were right when they're good they're good but when they're bad there's no way out.

I have a platinum and I've got the bonus. In order to get the bonus you have to use the card a lot and heavy. I feel terrible I've already been declined. How can you be declined on a platinum card when you're trying to get the bonus.

Re: AMEX US Based backdoor/recon number

arifjk — Sat, 06 Aug 2022 16:36:05 GMT

Can you get their EO involved? Or even their Credit Bureau department involved?

Re: AMEX US Based backdoor/recon number

Ramsport — Sat, 06 Aug 2022 18:34:38 GMT

I've spoken to so many supervising managers they probably know me by my voice now.

The poster up ahead is right the offshore people are the worst but you can't really blame them they're working off limited information and basically a script.

So I called the corporate office and had a really nice long chat with someone and she said to write to the chairman's office which I'm going to do.

I don't see that it's going to change though.

It's a business they have the prerogative to do whatever they like. If you don't like it oh well they just close your account.

I don't want that happening but. . .

Thanks to all who responded.

Re: AMEX US Based backdoor/recon number

Jeffster1 — Sat, 06 Aug 2022 19:19:01 GMT

Another thing to watch for:

if your "stalemate" goes on 60 days, their offshore team will begin pulling your credit again like they were pulling the arm on a nickel slot machine. I've disputed the last two pulls...one on EX and one on TU...with their "suppression team." When you call their offshore team, they will deny they pulled your credit again and again. They will tell you to send them a copy of your reports as proof. Stand your ground and say NO. They just want to waste more of your time and do nothing. This will begin happening at around 60 days regardless if you are just in limbo. I stood my ground so as not to in any way undermine my rights going forward to dispute with the CRAs. You don't need to provide them copies of your reports as prove that they kept pulling them. They HAVE the reports. If they don't see in their system that the excess reports were pulled, then American Express is even more messed up than it appears.

Their offshore supervisors are just as bad, if not worse. They will lie and lie and lie to you to get you off the phone. One really bad one is named "Sandy" (no doubt, a fake name). He will tell you over and over how he understands and how he will personally handle and escalate your case. He is the worst of the worst, and the others are just about as bad. Don't believe any of it.

Their "back room team" is even worse. You can send them a 4506-C, and call back a few days later where you are told that it's on the way to the IRS. Then you call back a few days later, and are told that the back room team said the form is missing the tax year requested. Meanwhile, you are looking right at it and it clearly says 12/31/2021. So, not only did they never send it to rhe IRS, they're trying to tell you something is missing that you are looking directly at.

Re: AMEX US Based backdoor/recon number

Remedios — Sat, 06 Aug 2022 19:24:49 GMT

You do understand that just about everything you think good ole locals are doing isn't done by them?

Also, I had to on accasion reach out to Amex regarding small issues on Reserve and I haven't had an interaction that wasn't pleasant, and I did not find them uninformed or confused.

If OP has Optima, doesn't that mean Amex was burned at some point?

I'd take my sweet time too.

@Jeffster1 did you do some research what happens when BK is present when it comes to Amex? You literally just got off their BL, you were denied as recently as May, they waited for years for the payment plan to be fulfilled, but you think that messing up income verification is the worst thing?

@Ramsport have you read about Amex and scores in mid 600s, which is where you were a month ago when you got Platinum? Surely someone who complains about others being informed knows that it can take 3-4 weeks for UW to catch up with current pull.

So, they aren't uninformed, they are going by information that's currently available to them, not by what you want them to see.

I don't understand this thread at all.

But, let's go back to "uninformed" CSR and such

Re: AMEX US Based backdoor/recon number

Jeffster1 — Sat, 06 Aug 2022 20:41:29 GMT

@Remedios wrote:

You do understand that just about everything you think good ole locals are doing isn't done by them?

Also, I had to on accasion reach out to Amex regarding small issues on Reserve and I haven't had an interaction that wasn't pleasant, and I did not find them uninformed or confused.

If OP has Optima, doesn't that mean Amex was burned at some point?
I'd take my sweet time too.

@Jeffster1 did you do some research what happens when BK is present when it comes to Amex? You literally just got off their BL, you were denied as recently as May, they waited for years for the payment plan to be fulfilled, but you think that messing up income verification is the worst thing?

@Ramsport have you read about Amex and scores in mid 600s, which is where you were a month ago when you got Platinum? Surely someone who complains about others being informed knows that it can take 3-4 weeks for UW to catch up with current pull.
So, they aren't uninformed, they are going by information that's currently available to them, not by what you want them to see.

I don't understand this thread at all.

But, let's go back to "uninformed" CSR and such

WRONG. I was never denied. And there was no previous denial. The application went directly from "In Progress" to "Provide Required Documentation." Since then, they have mishandled the 4506-C in multiple ways. Constantly changing stories that often shift each day, and sometimes within the space of one call. 3 times of the 8, it was my fault for listening to the offshore reps who gave me wrong advice on how to complete the form the way the IRS needed it. My income verfication was needed ostensibly because prior to the BK, I earned less than HALF as much as I do today, BUT whatever the reason was, the delay is due to their mishandling on multiple occasions. I have all the different excuses listed in my own records.

i never questioned or challenged their request for the 4506-C. Whatever they requested was fine with me. It's the round Robin of misinformation, lies and mishandling which is the issue.

You win the prize today for "Missing the Point." Have a seat. In fact, take two.

Re: AMEX US Based backdoor/recon number

Remedios — Sat, 06 Aug 2022 19:58:47 GMT

@Jeffster1 wrote:
@Remedios wrote:

You do understand that just about everything you think good ole locals are doing isn't done by them?

Also, I had to on accasion reach out to Amex regarding small issues on Reserve and I haven't had an interaction that wasn't pleasant, and I did not find them uninformed or confused.

If OP has Optima, doesn't that mean Amex was burned at some point?
I'd take my sweet time too.

@Jeffster1 did you do some research what happens when BK is present when it comes to Amex? You literally just got off their BL, you were denied as recently as May, they waited for years for the payment plan to be fulfilled, but you think that messing up income verification is the worst thing?

@Ramsport have you read about Amex and scores in mid 600s, which is where you were a month ago when you got Platinum? Surely someone who complains about others being informed knows that it can take 3-4 weeks for UW to catch up with current pull.
So, they aren't uninformed, they are going by information that's currently available to them, not by what you want them to see.

I don't understand this thread at all.

But, let's go back to "uninformed" CSR and such

WRONG. I was never denied. And there was no previous denial. The applacation went directly from "In Progress" to "Provide Required Documentation." Since then, they have mishandled the 4506-C in multiple ways. Constantly changing stories that often shift each day, and sometimes within the space of one call. 3 times of the 8, it was my fault for listening to the offshore reps who gave me wrong advice on how to complete the form the way the IRS needed it. My income verfication was needed ostensibly because prior to the BK, I earned less than HALF as much as I do today, BUT whatever the reason was, the delay is due to their mishandling on multiple occasions. I have all the different excuses listed in my own records.

You win the prize today for "Missing the Point." Have a seat. In fact, take two.

https://ficoforums.myfico.com/t5/Credit-Card-Applications/Amex-Blacklist/td-p/6539587

That you applying for Gold and being denied? Of course it is.

Now to "Take a seat"

Forum has TOS, I suggest you visit that section. Your choice if you want to sit or stand while doing so.

Re: AMEX US Based backdoor/recon number

virgo — Sat, 06 Aug 2022 20:04:30 GMT

So for starters I'm the op and I don't have an optima I have never burned them in bankruptcy and my credit reports are clean other than a minor trade line on Equifax which is to fall off in November.

I understand about updating and underwriting and everything else that's going on.

What I'm saying is I applied on July 2nd and was declined because my credit score went down after the Platinum inquiry.

The problem is the July 2nd that was just a soft pull still says in progress. As far as the computer system is concerned it's still open.

It doesn't matter if they update don't update send me a 30-day send me a decline send me approval as long as they don't reconcile with that July 2nd in progress I will never get out of the 30-day loop.

I understand you've had a great relationship with them that's great. But the new teams department is in fact offshore. They have limited access to information which by definition would make them uninformed.

I called the corporate office and spoke to someone here. I was on the phone with her for an hour and a half explaining the situation.

I use the same kind of software in my company. The software that's responsible for whatever these 30-day messages are is the same software that keeps me in limbo because it says the July 2nd application is still in progress.

I don't know if that made any sense but it did in my head so by the time it makes it to the page who knows.

Re: AMEX US Based backdoor/recon number

virgo — Sat, 06 Aug 2022 20:06:45 GMT

Also, July 2nd is 34 days ago which comes out to about more than 4 weeks. They claim they update after your statement cuts. As I mentioned my statement cut I paid my bill before it was even due so we should be looking at an update if what they're telling me is. But again because it says still in progress every application I try to submit is going to say you are within the 30-day window of a previous decline.

Re: AMEX US Based backdoor/recon number

Jeffster1 — Sat, 06 Aug 2022 21:02:56 GMT

@Remedios NOPE! Wrong again! The application for the Gold card I referred to in that post is THE SAME one for which they ended up asking for the 4506-C. Knowing ALL about the BL, and getting some kind of 7-10 day message, I assumed it was a denial. Turns out it wasn't. I received the request for the 4506-C later when I called asking for recon. The rep told me that I was NOT denied, and that I had to upload a 4506-C form.

If you read to the end of that thread that you linked, you would have seen that.

SAME card. SAME application. NOT denied.

This merry go-round of Hell with the lies and excuses has been going on since the first 4506-C was uploaded by me...a few days after that post.

I certainly would not apply again the same day if the card was denied.

Again. One application, same card, NOT denied.

I have the PROOF.

BTW, you cannot upload a 4506-C on a denied card. Just thought I'd share.

Re: AMEX US Based backdoor/recon number

Remedios — Sat, 06 Aug 2022 20:18:45 GMT

@virgo wrote:
Also, July 2nd is 34 days ago which comes out to about more than 4 weeks. They claim they update after your statement cuts. As I mentioned my statement cut I paid my bill before it was even due so we should be looking at an update if what they're telling me is. But again because it says still in progress every application I try to submit is going to say you are within the 30-day window of a previous decline.

That seens to be technical problem, not location of the team problem.

Were you talking to regular CSR or a different team that might be able to help?

Re: AMEX US Based backdoor/recon number

Remedios — Sat, 06 Aug 2022 23:00:37 GMT

@virgo wrote:
So for starters I'm the op and I don't have an optima I have never burned them in bankruptcy and my credit reports are clean other than a minor trade line on Equifax which is to fall off in November.
I understand about updating and underwriting and everything else that's going on.
What I'm saying is I applied on July 2nd and was declined because my credit score went down after the Platinum inquiry.
The problem is the July 2nd that was just a soft pull still says in progress. As far as the computer system is concerned it's still open.
It doesn't matter if they update don't update send me a 30-day send me a decline send me approval as long as they don't reconcile with that July 2nd in progress I will never get out of the 30-day loop.
I understand you've had a great relationship with them that's great. But the new teams department is in fact offshore. They have limited access to information which by definition would make them uninformed.
I called the corporate office and spoke to someone here. I was on the phone with her for an hour and a half explaining the situation.
I use the same kind of software in my company. The software that's responsible for whatever these 30-day messages are is the same software that keeps me in limbo because it says the July 2nd application is still in progress.
I don't know if that made any sense but it did in my head so by the time it makes it to the page who knows.

How can you be OP when OP is @Meanjoegreen82 ?

Also, they clearly stated they have Optima.

You sure you're in the right thread?

Re: AMEX US Based backdoor/recon number

Jeffster1 — Sun, 07 Aug 2022 12:54:52 GMT

Whatever y'all's issues with the OP, he is 100% correct, and the fact remains that there are problems with Amex's offshored "New Accoutns Team." As I said, when things go well, they are OK, but once the train leaves the tracks, that's about it.
I was never denied for the Amex Gold. I THOUGHT I had been denied. I was not, and that linked thread made it VERY clear at the thread's end.

When I called in, I was told that I had to provide income verification through the 4506-C. My guess is that my income was $60K when I first applied in 2004; $80K in 2017 and $190K now as listed on my Gold card application. In any cas, I was told that I provide the 4506-C. In any case, I happily complied just as I did throughout this merry go-round of hell.

The rep assisted me with the 1st app and gave me wrong info about one of the questions. Nobody ever voluntarily told me.

I only would find out a form was rejected when I literally had to pull teeth. Actually, "pulling teeth" implies getting at truthful, correct and complete information. That never happened. Nothing but lies and incorrect/incomplete information.

I told the reps I had not yet filed for 2021. The advice I got...each time filling out a new form ...alternated from "put down 2020";" "put down 2019 and 2020"; "put down whatever year you want"; "put down 2019". When 2021 was ready, I was told "put down 2019, 2020, 2021"; "put down 2020 and 2021;""put down 2020 and 2021 on separate forms;" "put down 2021 only" followed by "you have to submit 2020 too."

Then the excuses...."it was sent a few days ago to rhe IRS" followed by "it was not sent," to every possible permutation of excuse. The form asking for 2021 only (which was PERFECT) was received by Amex on 7/14. On 8/2, they said it was sent to the IRS on 7/29. On 8/3, they were back to "it wasn't sent." On 8/4, their excuse changed to "the year requested wasn't listed. The space was blank." I was looking directly at it and the correct info "12/31/2021" was entered correctly. When I made the rep look at it, she said, " Oh it IS entered."

Amex's offshore "New Accounts Team" is a dumpster fire. It totally makes sense that the OP would be stuck in limbo. I am sure it happens a lot.

i keep excellent records, something that my Chapter 13 (which was 100 percent and completed within a little over 3.5 years), ingrained in me.

Re: AMEX US Based backdoor/recon number

Jeffster1 — Tue, 09 Aug 2022 09:21:45 GMT

To further support the sad reality that Amex has delegated all "New Accounts" activities to their poorly-trained off-shore staff which is completely lacking in knowledge and ability, I managed to find someone who handles CLIs who was willing to open up to me. She is on the US-side. She used to do the underwriting on new apps until that function was outsourced. She tried to find someone in the US who could break the 4506-C stalemate and ran into major road blocks. Amex has outsourced it all on the New Apps side. Good luck when things go wrong with Amex apps now.

Re: AMEX US Based backdoor/recon number

Ramsport — Wed, 10 Aug 2022 03:27:13 GMT

I'm just going to put this out there.

How many posters on this forum can honestly say that they got away with using 'it was a computer glitch' as an excuse?

American Express prides itself on being prestigious I expected more out of this company.