topic Re: BE VERY CAREFUL WITH AMEX.... in General Credit Topics

BE VERY CAREFUL WITH AMEX....

Anonymous — Thu, 12 Jul 2007 23:49:14 GMT

I say that because I am now a proud (not) member of their Financial Review department!!! No worries, as I was nothing but honest on my applications.....was even granted CLI on two of them. Decided not to push my luck on the third card as far as a credit line increase....and I'll be damned if I didn't log on to my amex account today and in big bold red writing it stated for me to call the phone # on the back of my card. Called it, and low and behold....FINANCIAL REVIEW TIME. Was told to go to the IRS.gov website, print out a form, fill it out and fax it to them!!!! I haven't even charged over 100.00 dollars combined on all three cards!! And the only reason I charged anything, was so I could immediately pay it off and show them that I am financially responsible!!!! Oh well....I guess I am off to the IRS website.....wish me luck!!!!!! So much for taking 2 steps forward.............

Re: BE VERY CAREFUL WITH AMEX....

Anonymous — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 00:16:22 GMT

I'm so confused. Let us know what that's about, ok?

Re: BE VERY CAREFUL WITH AMEX....

Anonymous — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 00:22:47 GMT

same thing for me. Happened on Monday. Sent the form. The first guy told me that it would be a few days. after I sent the form, I called the FR dept to make sure they received it and was told that the reason I was flagged was because I applied for 3 cards and 3 CLI's (upon activation) in 90 days. I also did not lie about anything on my app, so we'll see what comes of it. My total CL is $7000 between three cards. The FR dept said that it would be 2 to 8 days for them to recieve my irs info, and then up to a whole week for someone to review it. From the time of the charging suspension to the end of that, it's like three weeks total. Wait and see, I guess. Seems like I will hear back sooner than flygirl. I'll keep you posted.

Re: BE VERY CAREFUL WITH AMEX....

Anonymous — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 00:25:39 GMT

Just curious - what kind of IRS form is it? What type of info?

Re: BE VERY CAREFUL WITH AMEX....

Anonymous — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 00:26:17 GMT

PLEASE KEEP ME POSTED.....THIS PISSES ME OFF SOOOOOOOOOOO BAD!!!!

ekuzniar wrote:
same thing for me. Happened on Monday. Sent the form. The first guy told me that it would be a few days. after I sent the form, I called the FR dept to make sure they received it and was told that the reason I was flagged was because I applied for 3 cards and 3 CLI's (upon activation) in 90 days. I also did not lie about anything on my app, so we'll see what comes of it. My total CL is $7000 between three cards. The FR dept said that it would be 2 to 8 days for them to recieve my irs info, and then up to a whole week for someone to review it. From the time of the charging suspension to the end of that, it's like three weeks total. Wait and see, I guess. Seems like I will hear back sooner than flygirl. I'll keep you posted.

Re: BE VERY CAREFUL WITH AMEX....

Anonymous — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 00:28:32 GMT

jru577 wrote:
Just curious - what kind of IRS form is it? What type of info?

FORM 4506T.......they will be getting info about me from tax year 2006 from the IRS

Re: BE VERY CAREFUL WITH AMEX....

Anonymous — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 00:29:15 GMT

How long have you had the card for flygirl?

Re: BE VERY CAREFUL WITH AMEX....

Anonymous — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 00:29:21 GMT

Today's stupid F/R story from another credit forum: Customer is approved for Amex card in April 2007. Gets a F/R in early May and submits tax form. Everything OK. Applies and is approved for second Amex card in late May. Applies and is approved for third Amex card in July. Before he even receives the third card in the mail, both his other cards are frozen for an F/R. But Amex doesn't ask for any new tax papers, they are just going to review his papers submitted in May. Again.

Total amount customer charged to cards #1 and #2 before F/R: $0.00.

Three-month history, two F/Rs, for a customer who hasn't even had a chance to do anything wrong.

Re: BE VERY CAREFUL WITH AMEX....

Anonymous — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 00:31:33 GMT

Irvin wrote:
How long have you had the card for flygirl?
_____________________________________________________________________________

I got my last card which was the Starwoods in the mail on July 5.............

Re: BE VERY CAREFUL WITH AMEX....

Anonymous — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 00:37:12 GMT

Wow. I have been wanting an Amex card, but after hearing all of this, I think I will pass.

Re: BE VERY CAREFUL WITH AMEX....

Anonymous — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 00:50:02 GMT

If you have multiple Amex cards, it seems to be wisest to use them regularly. Amex likes to see usage. They apparently aren't fond of people who open multiple accounts and then don't use the cards.

Re: BE VERY CAREFUL WITH AMEX....

Anonymous — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 00:55:52 GMT

i was approved for the Delta over a month ago for $1k. I requested CLI, but wasn't granted. I asked for 2500. As soon as i got the card, I bought an airline ticket on that. Haven't used it since. however, instead of making a min of $15, i threw in $45 total for the first payment.. Now, last week, i got this card converted to Blue. I just hope i don't get FR'ed.

Re: BE VERY CAREFUL WITH AMEX....

Anonymous — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 02:25:14 GMT

Although the F/R seems to be a real pain in the butt I believe AMEX is just protecting their interest. They don't want to be known as 'just another card.' Therefore, they have to do things other banks/credit cards don't. They are, afterall, 'THE' card to have and that's quite obvious judging from the numerous posts here and on other boards about what it takes to get one. I believe if you're honest on your application then there is nothing to worry about.

Also, for the record I don't work for AMEX. I received my AMEX Gold Rewards card about a month ago. Then I applied for and received my AMEX Starwoods 2 weeks later with an initial CL of $10,000 and hit the 'luv button' and received a $5000 CLI upon activation for a total CL of $15,000. I may as well go ahead and print and fill out my IRS form out now so I can be one step ahead of AMEX. From what I've been reading a F/R is probably in my not to distant future!

Message Edited by sunkysd on 07-12-2007 07:25 PM

Re: BE VERY CAREFUL WITH AMEX....

Anonymous — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 01:59:55 GMT

flygirl wrote:
I say that because I am now a proud (not) member of their Financial Review department!!! No worries, as I was nothing but honest on my applications.....was even granted CLI on two of them. Decided not to push my luck on the third card as far as a credit line increase....and I'll be damned if I didn't log on to my amex account today and in big bold red writing it stated for me to call the phone # on the back of my card. Called it, and low and behold....FINANCIAL REVIEW TIME. Was told to go to the IRS.gov website, print out a form, fill it out and fax it to them!!!! I haven't even charged over 100.00 dollars combined on all three cards!! And the only reason I charged anything, was so I could immediately pay it off and show them that I am financially responsible!!!! Oh well....I guess I am off to the IRS website.....wish me luck!!!!!! So much for taking 2 steps forward.............

Wow that sucks...no I'm a little worried...I overstated my income by about 15k since I included my fiancee's income (since it asked for HHI) Uh oh...I converted my Delta to Blue but recently got approved for the Starwood card...After reading this I don't think it's worth having another AMEX card with just 2k limit. Would it be wise to cancel the Starwood account?? And is there any way to correct my annual pay with them??? Oh boy

Re: BE VERY CAREFUL WITH AMEX....

Anonymous — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 02:02:27 GMT

if you guys live under the same roof and share expenses and all that...i would consider your fiance's and your income, Total HHI. If that's the case, you didn't lie on your application. IMO

Re: BE VERY CAREFUL WITH AMEX....

SoulSmilen — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 02:11:10 GMT

But if all they use is last year's tax return, they won't see HHI. So hmmm... what gives?

Re: BE VERY CAREFUL WITH AMEX....

Anonymous — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 02:11:20 GMT

Irvin wrote:
if you guys live under the same roof and share expenses and all that...i would consider your fiance's and your income, Total HHI. If that's the case, you didn't lie on your application. IMO

Yeah we live under the same roof. But I don't see how I would be able to prove her income And from what I'm reading it seems that AMEX is ruthless haha

Re: BE VERY CAREFUL WITH AMEX....

Anonymous — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 02:16:21 GMT

flygirl wrote:
I say that because I am now a proud (not) member of their Financial Review department!!! No worries, as I was nothing but honest on my applications.....was even granted CLI on two of them. Decided not to push my luck on the third card as far as a credit line increase....and I'll be damned if I didn't log on to my amex account today and in big bold red writing it stated for me to call the phone # on the back of my card. Called it, and low and behold....FINANCIAL REVIEW TIME. Was told to go to the IRS.gov website, print out a form, fill it out and fax it to them!!!! I haven't even charged over 100.00 dollars combined on all three cards!! And the only reason I charged anything, was so I could immediately pay it off and show them that I am financially responsible!!!! Oh well....I guess I am off to the IRS website.....wish me luck!!!!!! So much for taking 2 steps forward.............

Flygirl - I GOT THE SAME CALL TODAY!!!!???? I had to go to the IRS website and download a

4506-T form for them to pull my last tax return?? I just got my card two days ago. WTF? AND on top of that, I can't use my card until they are done with the review.

I was honest on my application as well, so I was quick to comply with the request, but my gosh, I just got my card in the mail day before yesterday! Do you think this will be the only time the FR process is done? Seems like it's more trouble than it is worth.

Rob

Re: BE VERY CAREFUL WITH AMEX....

Anonymous — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 02:19:07 GMT

FICO_Focused wrote:

flygirl wrote:
I say that because I am now a proud (not) member of their Financial Review department!!! No worries, as I was nothing but honest on my applications.....was even granted CLI on two of them. Decided not to push my luck on the third card as far as a credit line increase....and I'll be damned if I didn't log on to my amex account today and in big bold red writing it stated for me to call the phone # on the back of my card. Called it, and low and behold....FINANCIAL REVIEW TIME. Was told to go to the IRS.gov website, print out a form, fill it out and fax it to them!!!! I haven't even charged over 100.00 dollars combined on all three cards!! And the only reason I charged anything, was so I could immediately pay it off and show them that I am financially responsible!!!! Oh well....I guess I am off to the IRS website.....wish me luck!!!!!! So much for taking 2 steps forward.............

Flygirl - I GOT THE SAME CALL TODAY!!!!???? I had to go to the IRS website and download a

4506-T form for them to pull my last tax return?? I just got my card two days ago. WTF? AND on top of that, I can't use my card until they are done with the review.

I was honest on my application as well, so I was quick to comply with the request, but my gosh, I just got my card in the mail day before yesterday! Do you think this will be the only time the FR process is done? Seems like it's more trouble than it is worth.

Rob

How many AMEX cards do you have? What are there limits?

Re: BE VERY CAREFUL WITH AMEX....

Anonymous — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 02:23:01 GMT

oracleicom wrote:

Irvin wrote:
if you guys live under the same roof and share expenses and all that...i would consider your fiance's and your income, Total HHI. If that's the case, you didn't lie on your application. IMO

Yeah we live under the same roof. But I don't see how I would be able to prove her income And from what I'm reading it seems that AMEX is ruthless haha

i used mine and fiance's combined income also......I just plan on filling out 2 of those IRS forms...one for me, one for him. I'll also attach a note as to why I'm including both. I went back to the amex website and looked at the application, and it does ask for TOTAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME. We have lived together for 8 years (married by common law??? HAHA) and both of our paychecks go into the same account. Our address is of course the same on our tax returns. But, yeah....bad taste in my mouth already with amex..........................