American Express Address Verification

[Anonymous]

Got the nerve today to apply for the American Express Blue Cash Everyday card to add to my wallet, since I've had my eye on it for a while. A little back story, I put all applications on hold for a while because I was closing on my first house. I closed about 14 days ago, so I figured it was a good time to expand my card collection, then sit and garden for a bit. So that brings me to this application. 

I put in my application (with address of my new home) and get a screen asking to call them. I call, and the rep asks if I moved. I informed the rep that I had just closed on a house a couple of weeks ago, and applied with the new address. The rep asked if I had changed my address with my bank or employer, and I let him know I had already changed it with my employer (i work from home, so that was a necessity to do before even closing) but not my bank yet. The rep stated that they would be sending me a letter to the new address and I would need to respond to the letter to verify. So we hung up and I thought I would wait for the letter. A few minutes later I get an email stating that I can upload a current utility bill showing the address via the website. So I do so, and then wait a couple of hours and give them a call (in the email it said you could also call). The rep on the phone states that he's going to check with the department that handles the receival and verification of those documents to see if it's sufficient and puts me on hold. A few minutes later he comes back and states that it is unsufficient because it doesn't show as a PAID bill... I closed on August 10th and this bill was dated Augut 15th, not due until the 31st. Even being paid already, logic states (and on the bill it actually states in bold letters) that any payments made after the bill's date won't show until next months bill. So that effectively means that Amex won't verify me until I wait a month to receive a bill that shows paid, but even that bill will show next months balance.

Does that sound right to anyone, or has anyone else encountered this? I've found some other people who have had issues, but this is just ridiculouse.

[fiddycal]

When I applied for my PRG a couple weeks ago I had just moved, and the only thing I had to do was call and answer some questions to verify my identity. Then the rep confirmed the new address and I was good to go. I already had an account with Amex, so I'm not sure if that was the difference. Sorry you're having trouble.

[AverageJoesCredit]

Verifying its you and your new home is your real address isnt ridiculous. With id theft everywhere, id want to make sure everything is legit and Amex is great to have as they go to bat for you. Just stay on top of it and youll have your Amex in no time

[Meanmchine]

+1 Joe

[Anonymous]

@AJC is on the 💰 here....

Prudent organizations seeking to not only protect consumers ( let's face, we're lower on the totem pole), themselves and their stockholders are going to do a better job than some TSA agent at the airport when it comes to protecting and sniffing around possible LOSSES....

The ppl who EAT charges, when errors are made generally aren't US...it's THEM, their bottom line.

So you're gosh darn RIGHT...there are gonna be a few more hoops to jump for a 'supposed' new mover....

These companies use secondary CRAs to verify many aspects of WHOM their dealing with, when things don't line up.... precautions are taken...as they SHOULD be, again IF one CARES about their pocketbook!!!!

New addresses are more believable and valid when the SOURCE that verifies it is NOT the consumer ( not considered reliable) but a 3rd party, a data furnisher....so Yes, when your CC company reports a new address to the CRA "that" is considered WAY more legitimate than some voice on the phone swearing the God, trust me,it's me I've moved...just send it over here

The OP says the address is 14 days old...14 days and you're ripping a cautious lender for NOT just Willy Nilly sending out an unsecured CC in YOUR name to an address...they can't verify is a legit NEW address

Again, generally these banks double check with secondary identifiers ( many databases of which you don't even know about) and if the NEW, address isn't adding up it's good business to slow the muck down...

[Anonymous]

Thanks guys, all are great points.

I guess it was just throwing me off that I had a bill for service at an address, I send the picture of it, and yet they're saying it has to be a paid bill. But it makes sense that they're taking my security into consideration. 

Guess I've got to learn to be a little patient and calm the excitement of getting this Amex into my wallet. I should be thanking them for the diligence. 

[Anonymous]

Folks! Thanks for all the feedback. I ended up waiting until my bank updated my address on my statement (which really was only about a week process, I caught them just before the statement cut, so was able to get the address changed and have it apply on the new statement instead of waiting a month). And once I uploaded it, a couple of days later, Amex reached out with my approval. It wasn't nearly as high as my Discover TL, but having an Amex feels so great since I've had my eye on it since. Plus I know they do the 60 day 3x CLI if I'm lucky. 

[HeavenOhio]

Congratulations on the new card.

Hindsight is 20/20, but you probably could have saved yourself some goofing around had you first updated your address on your existing credit cards. One or more of them would have likely reported it pretty quickly.

[Anonymous]

Interestingly enough, I had actually already updated it with the other cards, even just got a new card with Discover with the new address too. It just hadn't been a long enough period of time for the updated address to hit my credit report nor the ID verification companies. 

[Anonymous]

Congratulations!