topic Re: Strange message from Amex in Credit Cards

Strange message from Amex

SouthJamaica — Thu, 28 Nov 2019 05:01:12 GMT

Just got this weird message from Amex on my gold card:

"We recently approved a transaction on your account. However, it is important that you make a payment on your account soon to continue to enjoy uninterrupted use of your Card."

There's no explanation of what they're talking about or what transaction they are referring to.

There have been no unusual transactions.

I don't have any payment due.

The current balance is modest in proportion to my 'pay over time' balance.

I asked on Chat, and was informed by the representative that it was sent by mistake.

But I wonder.

Re: Strange message from Amex

FinStar — Thu, 28 Nov 2019 05:15:50 GMT

Was this message sent via email, or did it display on the main splashpage on desktop or mobile app?

Re: Strange message from Amex

SouthJamaica — Thu, 28 Nov 2019 05:23:19 GMT

@FinStar wrote:
Was this message sent via email, or did it display on the main splashpage on desktop or mobile app?

Email.

Re: Strange message from Amex

FinStar — Thu, 28 Nov 2019 05:24:26 GMT

@SouthJamaica wrote:
@FinStar wrote:
Was this message sent via email, or did it display on the main splashpage on desktop or mobile app?
Email.

Definitely odd. On the surface, it appears this might've been a glitch of some sort.

Re: Strange message from Amex

SouthJamaica — Thu, 28 Nov 2019 05:25:50 GMT

@FinStar wrote:
@SouthJamaica wrote:
@FinStar wrote:
Was this message sent via email, or did it display on the main splashpage on desktop or mobile app?
Email.
Definitely odd. On the surface, it appears this might've been a glitch of some sort.

That's what the CSR thought.

Re: Strange message from Amex

FinStar — Thu, 28 Nov 2019 05:34:52 GMT

@SouthJamaica wrote:
@FinStar wrote:
@SouthJamaica wrote:
@FinStar wrote:
Was this message sent via email, or did it display on the main splashpage on desktop or mobile app?
Email.
Definitely odd. On the surface, it appears this might've been a glitch of some sort.
That's what the CSR thought.

You mentioned there's a balance on POT in addition to current charges that have not cycled, correct? Not sure if the 'glitch' may have had anything to do with that? This is just hypothetical though. I guess the only odd thing is that if you currently have no payment due, then I can't think of any other logical reason why that email was generated.

Re: Strange message from Amex

wasCB14 — Thu, 28 Nov 2019 07:09:30 GMT

I'd assume it was an error unless you have a significant balance on some sort of Amex credit product. When I had a ~$27k minimum payment due in less than a week they were more subtle than that in contacting me.

Re: Strange message from Amex

AverageJoesCredit — Thu, 28 Nov 2019 14:25:11 GMT

You've been SYNCronized

Re: Strange message from Amex

SouthJamaica — Thu, 28 Nov 2019 16:08:18 GMT

@FinStar wrote:
@SouthJamaica wrote:
@FinStar wrote:
@SouthJamaica wrote:
@FinStar wrote:
Was this message sent via email, or did it display on the main splashpage on desktop or mobile app?
Email.
Definitely odd. On the surface, it appears this might've been a glitch of some sort.
That's what the CSR thought.
You mentioned there's a balance on POT in addition to current charges that have not cycled, correct? Not sure if the 'glitch' may have had anything to do with that? This is just hypothetical though. I guess the only odd thing is that if you currently have no payment due, then I can't think of any other logical reason why that email was generated.

My last statement had no balance.

I opted in to 'pay over time' this month, but haven't availed myself of it. There is 1 purchase earlier in the cycle, which would qualify for POT, but I haven't elected to invoke it. [update 11:05 a.m actually I realize that at the time i made the larger purchase, i had elected POT "direct" rather than "select". I've subsequently changed it to "select", but the larger purchase is apparently already registered in the POT column. perhaps this is the problem which invoked this email]

And the website says no payment is due.

Do you think opting in to the 'pay over time' program is what caused this? I can't see any logical reason why it would, but if there's an illogical reason I'd like to know.

Re: Strange message from Amex

SouthJamaica — Thu, 28 Nov 2019 15:58:38 GMT

@wasCB14 wrote:
I'd assume it was an error unless you have a significant balance on some sort of Amex credit product. When I had a ~$27k minimum payment due in less than a week they were more subtle than that in contacting me.

I have significant balances on 2 other Amex products, zero interest promo balances on 2 business credit cards.

Re: Strange message from Amex

SouthJamaica — Thu, 28 Nov 2019 16:23:12 GMT

Bottom line I think it was somehow related to my being in POT direct, and the larger purchase being automatically enrolled. Apparently, once you have a POT balance they start getting jittery if you haven't made a recent payment, even if no payment is due.

That's my guess.

So going forward I'll make payments when no payment is due, just to appease the Amex POT monster.

And I'll stick with POT Select, as opposed to Direct, so nothing goes into POT unless I make a conscious decision to put it there.

Re: Strange message from Amex

Remedios — Thu, 28 Nov 2019 16:21:54 GMT

I dont think it's an error. I've seen posts by other people who got this same email, and some even got a call to pay down their balance if they wanted to continue using card, even though payment wasnt due yet

They were nowhere near what Amex would allow them to charge and never late with them, so no clue what triggers it.

I think Addie was the last one to post about this, maybe 10 days ago.

Re: Strange message from Amex

NRB525 — Thu, 28 Nov 2019 16:22:37 GMT

I will second the CSR comment that it is just a glitch. They do have access to certain data on their screen, such as suggested catch up payment amount.

There has been no data provided about amounts charged. If the amount of the charge turns out to be $50,000 then I might change my suggestion.

Re: Strange message from Amex

SouthJamaica — Thu, 28 Nov 2019 16:24:11 GMT

@Remedios wrote:
I dont think it's an error. I've seen posts by other people who got this same email, and some even got a call to pay down their balance if they wanted to continue using card, even though payment wasnt due yet
They were nowhere near what Amex would allow them to charge and never late with them, so no clue what triggers it.
I think Addie was the last one to post about this, maybe 10 days ago.

Yes but in the recent post the email specified specific transactions and balances, mine had nothing of that sort.

Re: Strange message from Amex

SouthJamaica — Thu, 28 Nov 2019 16:25:45 GMT

@NRB525 wrote:
I will second the CSR comment that it is just a glitch. They do have access to certain data on their screen, such as suggested catch up payment amount.

There has been no data provided about amounts charged. If the amount of the charge turns out to be $50,000 then I might change my suggestion.

The purchase that went into POT Direct was around $950; my POT limit is $35k.

Re: Strange message from Amex

Remedios — Thu, 28 Nov 2019 16:29:35 GMT

@SouthJamaica wrote:
@Remedios wrote:
I dont think it's an error. I've seen posts by other people who got this same email, and some even got a call to pay down their balance if they wanted to continue using card, even though payment wasnt due yet
They were nowhere near what Amex would allow them to charge and never late with them, so no clue what triggers it.
I think Addie was the last one to post about this, maybe 10 days ago.

Yes but in the recent post the email specified specific transactions and balances, mine had nothing of that sort.

Theirs was the same. I think it's just a template letter when they want money.

Hopefully it's an error and they are not trying to squeeze payment when one is not due, but if you're having increased utilization across other cards, they might be twitching.

You have EX subscription, check for increase in SPs

Re: Strange message from Amex

AverageJoesCredit — Thu, 28 Nov 2019 17:20:11 GMT

Lol @Anonymous Monster😄

Re: Strange message from Amex

Anonymous — Thu, 28 Nov 2019 18:44:36 GMT

Perhaps they are having liquidity problems like was suggested in another thread.

Unless you've done something totally out of the norm that has shown up on their most recent SP, then It probably was just a glitch.

The $35K POT should allow you more leeway than those who were hovering around the $5K POT mark.

Though I don't know how much you put through the Gold monthly, I doubt Amex would get too nervous over a few K's.

Re: Strange message from Amex

Meanmchine — Thu, 28 Nov 2019 19:20:23 GMT

@AverageJoesCredit wrote:
You've been SYNCronized

Dont say that.

Yesteerday I got what looked like a phishing attempt on my Synch/Amazon card. Couple hours later got another email from Synch saying 1st email sent in error. Both emails looked fraudish

Re: Strange message from Amex

Remedios — Thu, 28 Nov 2019 19:24:40 GMT

They would get very nervous because they do not "look" only at their cards.
If cards from other lenders show spike in utilization, they will twitch. Also, keep in mind that they are probably not looking at percentages only, but also at raw amounts and speed at which balances are going up/down.
I'm not privy to what's on SJs CR, but I would bet half the turkey they are doing SPs like they have nothing better to do.