Hi Everyone!
Logging into my Discover IT account (opened for 7 years) today, I got these messages, making me think there must have been fraud on my account. However, when I called to speak to a rep, they said that many Discover accounts were under a security review where they were matching up information from the account owner with what is on file with the IRS and that the review may take as long as a month or more (account is unavailable during this time period). They also offered me this website where I could go upload my past 3 months of bank statements to 'expedite' the process: discover.com/sdu. She also said I would be receiving a link in my email to electronically sign a document that confirms my account information or something. I haven't seen the email yet, but I'll post more when I get it. I'm just really confused.
This is all really weird - has anyone else had a similar experience either now or in the past?
Another weird thing that happened is that the rep originally pulled up someone else's account and asked me if I still lived on 39th street. When I told her I've never heard of 39th street, she retyped in my account number and then had my correct information. I don't think this has anything to do with the situation but it was just an odd accident, considering I called from my normal phone number on file.
The "unusual activity" notification followed by a proof of income request is a new one.... interesting. And the rep mentioned no such suspicious purchase activity while on the phone? Did they even ask you to verify a specific purchase?
Disco started this mess in 2019. Without notice, a security freeze would be issued on your account forcing you to call in... you were then asked to agree to an IRS 4506t review to confirm the income you noted on your disco app exactly matched your most recent tax returns. At that time, there was no alternative to providing full IRS tax documentation. It seems now (due to Covid-related IRS delays) they have been offering the option of paystubs/bank statements for some. Here's a forum search link on the topic - you should take some time to read through the various posts to get an idea of what to expect:
Sorry you have been selected to go under financial review. If you agree to provide docs, so long as the income you've claimed to disco matches your verified income, you should be fine. Note: if you used household income or included a spouse's but file separately, there's a very good chance your account will be closed by DIsco.
@Anonymous wrote:@shoo Sorry to hear about this! They really should remove that messaging regarding unusual activity if it has nothing to do with the account review.
It seems more and more that Discover will eventually get us all with the 4506T request.
It is unfair what they have been doing to those listing household income or at least it seems that way to me.
It is unfair. The application allows for the inclusion of household income so to punish folks for using it is awful. They should have multiple income fields: individual, joint, household, etc., If this is the direction they want to go.
@Remedios wrote:If one is claiming household income on the application, the idea is that finances are comingled enough to file joint return.
While there is a variety of reasons why people may opt to file separately, that also means one may need to use only their income if that's all they can prove.
If lender allows bank statements, same logic would apply, they would expect to see a joint account.
Same goes for "I think I'll get bonus, so I'll include that, too"
While this is unfortunate for those whose accounts are getting restricted, I'd expect to see this from more and more lenders in the future, so whatever is on the application needs to be in synch with reality.
Some of our limits are higher than what one would pay for a car. No one doesn't blinks an eye when we are asked to provide proof of income on a loan with collateral which is by far safer from lender's perspective, but we seem puzzled by similar request on unsecured credit.
You should save this post as a macro!
