topic Re: Should I or shouldn't I?? in Credit Cards

Should I or shouldn't I??

armymom — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 15:03:40 GMT

I have been reading a recent post where a Amex account was backdated to an earlier account. I have the same situation but in my case Amex closed my account, (charged off to be exact ) I was young and financially irresponsible at the time and have learned from my mistakes. I opened my green card in 07/2010 and would love to have it back dated to my first card which was opened in 1985/86? I have search all my records and have found nothing with an account number. My bank at the time has changed hands several times and no one knows where the records are stored. Am I rocking the boat by calling Amex's internal credit bureau dept?? Or should I leave it alone and be happy Amex has let me back in the family?

Re: Should I or shouldn't I??

Anonymous — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 15:19:23 GMT

Hi armymom.

I'm assuming the CO you had with AmEx has been paid correct?

I know from reading other posts regarding AmEx not being able to find closed accounts 15+ years old in their records, but maybe they keep records such as CO's longer??

If you have paid the CO with AmEx, which I assume you did, because I do not think AmEx would have approved you for a new card if you did not pay them (just speculation) I do not see any harm in asking.

If I were in your shoes, I do not know what I would do to be honest, part of me says (don't rock the boat) and part of me would want that backdating bad.

I would wait and see what kind of replies you get from other Members, then you can make a much more informed decision.

Best of Luck!

Re: Should I or shouldn't I??

LS2982 — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 15:21:16 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Hi armymom.

I'm assuming the CO you had with AmEx has been paid correct?

I know from reading other posts regarding AmEx not being able to find closed accounts 15+ years old in their records, but maybe they keep records such as CO's longer??

If you have paid the CO with AmEx, which I assume you did, because I do not think AmEx would have approved you for a new card if you did not pay them (just speculation) I do not see any harm in asking.

If I were in your shoes, I do not know what I would do to be honest, part of me says (don't rock the boat) and part of me would want that backdating bad.

I would wait and see what kind of replies you get from other Members, then you can make a much more informed decision.

Best of Luck!

Re: Should I or shouldn't I??

CS800 — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 15:22:28 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Hi armymom.

I'm assuming the CO you had with AmEx has been paid correct?

I know from reading other posts regarding AmEx not being able to find closed accounts 15+ years old in their records, but maybe they keep records such as CO's longer??

If you have paid the CO with AmEx, which I assume you did, because I do not think AmEx would have approved you for a new card if you did not pay them (just speculation) I do not see any harm in asking.

If I were in your shoes, I do not know what I would do to be honest, part of me says (don't rock the boat) and part of me would want that backdating bad.

I would wait and see what kind of replies you get from other Members, then you can make a much more informed decision.

Best of Luck!

I was thinking the same thing that it's a 50/50 chance this might become bad. but OP does have another card and as you said most likely she paid the charge off. I would let the account age a bit more then take the dive. At least they will see a good history. But the impatient me says 'I want that darn backdating for my AAoA'

Re: Should I or shouldn't I??

Anonymous — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 15:31:18 GMT

@CS800 wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
Hi armymom.

I'm assuming the CO you had with AmEx has been paid correct?

I know from reading other posts regarding AmEx not being able to find closed accounts 15+ years old in their records, but maybe they keep records such as CO's longer??

If you have paid the CO with AmEx, which I assume you did, because I do not think AmEx would have approved you for a new card if you did not pay them (just speculation) I do not see any harm in asking.

If I were in your shoes, I do not know what I would do to be honest, part of me says (don't rock the boat) and part of me would want that backdating bad.

I would wait and see what kind of replies you get from other Members, then you can make a much more informed decision.

Best of Luck!
I was thinking the same thing that it's a 50/50 chance this might become bad. but OP does have another card and as you said most likely she paid the charge off. I would let the account age a bit more then take the dive. At least they will see a good history. But the impatient me says 'I want that darn backdating for my AAoA'

Very good idea CS, maybe wait till you have one solid year of good payment history with AmEx, then make the call and ask if they can find you in their system.

Re: Should I or shouldn't I??

CS800 — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 15:33:57 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@CS800 wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
Hi armymom.

I'm assuming the CO you had with AmEx has been paid correct?

I know from reading other posts regarding AmEx not being able to find closed accounts 15+ years old in their records, but maybe they keep records such as CO's longer??

If you have paid the CO with AmEx, which I assume you did, because I do not think AmEx would have approved you for a new card if you did not pay them (just speculation) I do not see any harm in asking.

If I were in your shoes, I do not know what I would do to be honest, part of me says (don't rock the boat) and part of me would want that backdating bad.

I would wait and see what kind of replies you get from other Members, then you can make a much more informed decision.

Best of Luck!
I was thinking the same thing that it's a 50/50 chance this might become bad. but OP does have another card and as you said most likely she paid the charge off. I would let the account age a bit more then take the dive. At least they will see a good history. But the impatient me says 'I want that darn backdating for my AAoA'
Very good idea CS, maybe wait till you have one solid year of good payment history with AmEx, then make the call and ask if they can find you in their system.

With CCC it seems that you need all the ammo you can since you're always on your toes with them. I prepare 'what ifs' scenario in my head for my cards (i know its a bit too much)

But with them you always have to CYA

Re: Should I or shouldn't I??

quest208 — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 19:42:22 GMT

Was the chargeoff paid in full or settled?
What kknd of card did you have in 85?
When was it charged off/paid?

Re: Should I or shouldn't I??

armymom — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 03:37:42 GMT

My original Amex was a green card as well. Before I app'd, I called on three separate occasions to see if they could locate my old account and all three times I was told it was no longer it the system. I didn't want to waste my time applying if they were able to locate the old one. As far as paying it, I don't think we did. But when I obtained a copy of my CR a few years later it listed the CO as having a $1 balance which I thought was odd. That's where my dilemma comes in. With less than 2 yrs of history this time around will they shut me down or give me the opportunity to pay off what I owe from the past assuming I didn't pay the original CO? Part of me wants to back date this account but my gut feeling says be happy your back in there graces. And would a few more years with them go in my favor if I try to backdate??

Re: Should I or shouldn't I??

Ron1 — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 03:44:22 GMT

How long was it? Amex has very long memory. Some of them got back into Amex in a few days and most of them wasn't lucky.

Ron.

Re: Should I or shouldn't I??

armymom — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 03:55:33 GMT

My first Amex was opened in 1985/86. Part of my reapplying was the hopes of getting the new account backdated.

Re: Should I or shouldn't I??

BobbyJ — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 04:11:51 GMT

Hello armymom, I had a Green Amex opened in 1985 when I was very young. The account was charged off with at least a $1000 balance in 1985 and was never paid. I was recently approved for a PR Gold and Zync on the same day and they backdated both accounts to 1986. I think after a certain time they dont hold the debt over your head but you are still in their system somewhere. Very happy to be back into the family and will never do anything to ruin my new found relationship.

Re: Should I or shouldn't I??

armymom — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 04:22:49 GMT

@BobbyJ wrote:
Hello armymom, I had a Green Amex opened in 1985 when I was very young. The account was charged off with at least a $1000 balance in 1985 and was never paid. I was recently approved for a PR Gold and Zync on the same day and they backdated both accounts to 1986. I think after a certain time they dont hold the debt over your head but you are still in their system somewhere. Very happy to be back into the family and will never do anything to ruin my new found relationship.

How was yours backdated? Did they locate your first account?

Re: Should I or shouldn't I??

Anonymous — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 07:06:22 GMT

I opened my 1st in 1991 and charged off 16k. Last year they approved me for a green and updated to Gold. I rocked the boat by applying for a Gold Business charge card and they brought up the fact that I still owed 16k. What's in the dark will eventually see the light. Lol I ended up paying the 16k. "Give me FREE!"

Re: Should I or shouldn't I??

Anonymous — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 07:09:52 GMT

I would personally not awaken the sleeping giant that is AMEX. I try to stay under the radar with them as much as possible...I don't want to draw any unnecessary attention to me.

But I'm the paranoid type, so it's up to you.

Re: Should I or shouldn't I??

Open123 — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 07:13:24 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
I would personally not awaken the sleeping giant that is AMEX. I try to stay under the radar with them as much as possible...I don't want to draw any unnecessary attention to me.

But I'm the paranoid type, so it's up to you.

With Amex, this is good advice!

Re: Should I or shouldn't I??

Anonymous — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 10:49:48 GMT

@Open123 wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
I would personally not awaken the sleeping giant that is AMEX. I try to stay under the radar with them as much as possible...I don't want to draw any unnecessary attention to me.

But I'm the paranoid type, so it's up to you.
With Amex, this is good advice!

I agree, reading this post has brough up some interesting replies, some have said they have defaulted with AmEx and never paid them back and still were able to get back in with them years later, I really was under the impression that if you burned AmEx and did not pay them back, you were thrown out of the "family" and not let back in,

As one replier said, he owed 16K, apped years later and was approved, he then "rocked the boat" and AmEx showed their teeth and said, uhmm remember that 16K you owe us?

armymom, I honestly think it would be a good idea to wait at the very least a year if you feel you must try for the backdating, but by then, the account really won't be considered "New" on your reports anymore anyway, so maybe just be happy you're back in with AmEx and not wake the sleeping giant??

Either way, I Wish you the Very Best.

Re: Should I or shouldn't I??

armymom — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 14:06:31 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@Open123 wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
I would personally not awaken the sleeping giant that is AMEX. I try to stay under the radar with them as much as possible...I don't want to draw any unnecessary attention to me.

But I'm the paranoid type, so it's up to you.
With Amex, this is good advice!
I agree, reading this post has brough up some interesting replies, some have said they have defaulted with AmEx and never paid them back and still were able to get back in with them years later, I really was under the impression that if you burned AmEx and did not pay them back, you were thrown out of the "family" and not let back in,

As one replier said, he owed 16K, apped years later and was approved, he then "rocked the boat" and AmEx showed their teeth and said, uhmm remember that 16K you owe us?

armymom, I honestly think it would be a good idea to wait at the very least a year if you feel you must try for the backdating, but by then, the account really won't be considered "New" on your reports anymore anyway, so maybe just be happy you're back in with AmEx and not wake the sleeping giant??

Either way, I Wish you the Very Best.

That is exactly what my gut feeling tells me. Give it another year or two then maybe look into backdating.

Re: Should I or shouldn't I??

pizzadude — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 14:36:45 GMT

How much do you think was charged off ?? If it wasn't a large amount, I wouldn't feel bad about making a backdate attempt now.

Based on other's experiences with really old COs, they will probably work with you to pay it back, some have even reported not being charged interest.

I'd rather have it resolved than hanging over my head as something that I might get dinged or shutdown for out of the blue.

Re: Should I or shouldn't I??

CS800 — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 14:40:22 GMT

Out of curiosity i wonder who has the ealiest backdating on here. I see a lot of 80's. Do we have 70's or earlier?

Re: Should I or shouldn't I??

Anonymous — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 16:07:58 GMT

@BobbyJ wrote:
Hello armymom, I had a Green Amex opened in 1985 when I was very young. The account was charged off with at least a $1000 balance in 1985 and was never paid. I was recently approved for a PR Gold and Zync on the same day and they backdated both accounts to 1986. I think after a certain time they dont hold the debt over your head but you are still in their system somewhere. Very happy to be back into the family and will never do anything to ruin my new found relationship.

Same situation here. Young and foolish, my Amex got charged off with a balance of a few hundred $$$ and was never paid. That was 20, going on 21 years ago. Last May, they sent me an offer to apply for Green. I assumed that I was blacklisted, but based on the advice of this forum I went ahead and gave it a shot. Much to my surprise, I was approved! Like you, I'm also very happy to be back in the family and am determined to keep this account in excellent standing.

ETA: And yes, they backdated it to 1987. I didn't even need to ask. When I logged into the website for the first time, it showed Member Since 1987.