Topic Wiki

1)   What is a Financial Review?
In short - American Express occasionally freezes the credit card accounts of individuals with high-risk patterns, or for new account holders.
They request a lot of personal information, such as IRS tax returns, bank statements, letters from Banks ect…

Let’s break it down into 2 different types of Financial Reviews
A)   Mini Financial Review
B)   Financial Review

A)   Mini Financial Review

(please fill in info) This form of financial review, is usually a short process, it could be as short as one phone call. American Express might feel a need to verify your finances for whatever reason, and they could call you to verify information. Your accounts could be suspended from using until you get in touch with them, typically they will restore your accounts after a simple phone call.

B)   Financial Review
This type of Financial Review is very common. It often happens when opening a new account for the first time, usually if you are opening a Charge Card, or a Business Card or if on a new account you start off will a lot of high spending.
American Express will suspend your account/s, they will not remove the suspension until the review is over, which takes around 2 weeks.

If you cannot provide the required information, shut down your account right away.

2)   Triggers

Look below for a list of triggers and links.
 
3)   What will happen?
Your accounts will get suspended. You will be able to log in online, and see account activity, but you will get a message that charging is suspended.

They will contact you via phone and email. Once you get in touch with them, (typically) you will be assigned a specific representative to work on your case.

The will require mainly IRS Tax returns. The point of a Financial Review is to verify your income. They may also require Back statements, a letter from a Bank to verify your address, and other documents. People have reported that they did survive a Financial Review with just bank statements.

As long as you could provide the documents they request you will be fine, they might lower your credit lines, but you should be able keep your account open. Even as low as a $6000 tax return people have been able to survive a Financial Review.

In cases of a Financial Review after opening a Business Card, you will need proof of Business income.

If you cannot provide the required information, shut down your account right away.

As long as you could provide the documents they request you will be fine, they might lower your credit lines, but you should be able keep your account open. Even as low as a $6000 tax return people have been able to survive a Financial Review.

4)   What Steps Should I take?

Get in touch with Amex as soon as you could. Send in the request inform promptly. You will have a rep that will be working with you, and telling you what documents are needed. 4506-t is a transcript request from the IRS for you last tax return. You will need to fill out this form, fax it to Amex, it will take them 24-48 hours until they receive this form, they will request the tax return from the IRS that could take about a week.

Important: you only have 2 attempts to send them the fax, if they reject it after 2 attempts you will get shut down. You don't get more than 2 attempts. (source)
You may be able to get 3 attempts if you ask for a manager.

You need to be on top of it, if you don’t follow thru, they could shut your accounts down.


5)   What to do if American Express closed your accounts?

Once American Express closes your accounts, the only way to get back on is if you have the required information needed to pass a Financial Review. They will require you to request a 4506 form from the IRS (which will cost you $57) before they even approve any of your future applications.


To start you may want to read up here:

F/R triggers:
[/color]


Credit line of $25k or more
http://www.dansdeals.com/forums/index.php?topic=1438.msg10906#msg10906

Family member receiving FR can cause other family members to get Fr'ed as well
http://www.dansdeals.com/forums/index.php?topic=6223.msg74003#msg74003 http://www.dansdeals.com/forums/index.php?topic=8.msg24759#msg24759

Living at same address as someone who was FR'ed
http://www.dansdeals.com/forums/index.php?topic=8.msg77046#msg77046

Using majority of CL
http://www.dansdeals.com/forums/index.php?topic=7526.msg87716#msg87716

Large cash advance
http://www.dansdeals.com/forums/index.php?topic=5908.msg82906#msg82906

Nothing...
http://www.dansdeals.com/forums/index.php?topic=2723.msg30062#msg30062

Changing name on business card
http://www.dansdeals.com/forums/index.php?topic=3589.msg38101#msg38101

Mint purchases
http://www.dansdeals.com/forums/index.php?topic=146.msg22932#msg22932

Amex Gift Card Purchases
http://www.dansdeals.com/forums/index.php?topic=2422.msg26670#msg26670
http://www.dansdeals.com/forums/index.php?topic=8.msg40106#msg40106

Unusual spending
http://www.dansdeals.com/forums/index.php?topic=8.msg7627#msg7627
http://www.dansdeals.com/forums/index.php?topic=3710.msg39597#msg39597

Amazon payments (possibly)
http://www.dansdeals.com/forums/index.php?topic=3657.msg88656#msg88656
http://www.dansdeals.com/forums/index.php?topic=3524.msg42436#msg42436

Using close to reported income
http://www.dansdeals.com/archives/2537

Logging in online too much (!)
http://www.dansdeals.com/forums/index.php?topic=8.msg13741#msg13741

Prepaying
http://www.dansdeals.com/forums/index.php?topic=1712.msg13732#msg13732
http://www.dansdeals.com/forums/index.php?topic=3710.msg39725#msg39725

Adding Cardholders (many?)
http://www.dansdeals.com/forums/index.php?topic=8.msg49318#msg49318

Refunds exceeding total payments made on the card since it was opened
http://forums.dansdeals.com/index.php?topic=8.msg845606#msg845606
[/font]
Though not exactly F/R, it's worth mentioning that Amex takes returned payments very seriously.
They often shut all accounts without going through the F/R process.

Author Topic: Amex F/R Master Thread  (Read 1818422 times)

Offline Yehuda25

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Dec 2013
  • Posts: 6069
  • Total likes: 78
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 9
    • View Profile
Re: Amex F/R Master Thread
« Reply #7800 on: February 07, 2018, 11:08:36 PM »
Then you have lost nothing, more time wouldn't change that, and you effected nothing, but again who closed the cards?
AH
“To avoid criticism say nothing, do nothing, be nothing.”


― Aristotle

Offline Yehuda25

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Dec 2013
  • Posts: 6069
  • Total likes: 78
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 9
    • View Profile
Re: Amex F/R Master Thread
« Reply #7801 on: February 16, 2018, 02:40:51 PM »
DW got FR, our 2017 income was reported to the cent on the app and to FR rep, but they obviously our 2017 return was not submitted yet. They refused to take bank statements or pay stubs rather insisting on 2016 tax return (which is less than half of our current income, with her being student and myself self-employed and the rep seemed fine with that when he asked for them).

All the spend was on biz cards which are under our jointly owned reseller biz which obviously does a nice amount of spend. I think it was 60k of spend last month that triggered it.


Rep said he would close cards today and there is no other option, she asked for a supervisor call back, which he said he will do, and he won't touch the accounts until the supervisor calls back.


Anything to do here??  I know the usually just slash the cl's in an FR and this is just so unfair as everything is 100% legit, the reported income, the spend (non MS).

Any ideas?

Thanks.
“To avoid criticism say nothing, do nothing, be nothing.”


― Aristotle

Offline davidrotts63

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: May 2017
  • Posts: 7218
  • Total likes: 978
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 26
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Programs: Hertz Gold, Hyatt Member, BA Blue, Ebay banned, Amazon Prime
Re: Amex F/R Master Thread
« Reply #7802 on: February 16, 2018, 03:18:52 PM »
DW got FR, our 2017 income was reported to the cent on the app and to FR rep, but they obviously our 2017 return was not submitted yet. They refused to take bank statements or pay stubs rather insisting on 2016 tax return (which is less than half of our current income, with her being student and myself self-employed and the rep seemed fine with that when he asked for them).

All the spend was on biz cards which are under our jointly owned reseller biz which obviously does a nice amount of spend. I think it was 60k of spend last month that triggered it.


Rep said he would close cards today and there is no other option, she asked for a supervisor call back, which he said he will do, and he won't touch the accounts until the supervisor calls back.


Anything to do here??  I know the usually just slash the cl's in an FR and this is just so unfair as everything is 100% legit, the reported income, the spend (non MS).

Any ideas?

Thanks.
Why don't you sent 2016? At most you should get is a CL cut.
(Quit) pulling out the flowers, and watering the weeds. -Peter Lynch

Offline Yehuda25

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Dec 2013
  • Posts: 6069
  • Total likes: 78
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 9
    • View Profile
Re: Amex F/R Master Thread
« Reply #7803 on: February 16, 2018, 03:37:12 PM »
Why don't you sent 2016? At most you should get is a CL cut.
I sent 2016 in, they said that income did not substantiate the amount of spending. Mind you that income was a decent number.
“To avoid criticism say nothing, do nothing, be nothing.”


― Aristotle

Offline davidrotts63

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: May 2017
  • Posts: 7218
  • Total likes: 978
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 26
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Programs: Hertz Gold, Hyatt Member, BA Blue, Ebay banned, Amazon Prime
Re: Amex F/R Master Thread
« Reply #7804 on: February 16, 2018, 03:37:45 PM »
I sent 2016 in, they said that income did not substantiate the amount of spending. Mind you that income was a decent number.
And because of that they want a complete shutdown?
(Quit) pulling out the flowers, and watering the weeds. -Peter Lynch

Offline Yehuda25

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Dec 2013
  • Posts: 6069
  • Total likes: 78
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 9
    • View Profile
Re: Amex F/R Master Thread
« Reply #7805 on: February 16, 2018, 03:38:32 PM »
And because of that they want a complete shutdown?
yes, I have never seen a report like this before
 Maybe it's this specific rep?
“To avoid criticism say nothing, do nothing, be nothing.”


― Aristotle

Offline davidrotts63

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: May 2017
  • Posts: 7218
  • Total likes: 978
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 26
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Programs: Hertz Gold, Hyatt Member, BA Blue, Ebay banned, Amazon Prime
Re: Amex F/R Master Thread
« Reply #7806 on: February 16, 2018, 03:39:41 PM »
yes, I have never seen a report like this before
 Maybe it's this specific rep?
Neither have I, maybe suggest cutting CLs?
(Quit) pulling out the flowers, and watering the weeds. -Peter Lynch

Offline Yehuda25

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Dec 2013
  • Posts: 6069
  • Total likes: 78
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 9
    • View Profile
Re: Amex F/R Master Thread
« Reply #7807 on: February 16, 2018, 03:49:11 PM »
Neither have I, maybe suggest cutting CLs?
he said he no options, so wasn't mentioned, I guess I'll have dw mention it when she talks to the supervisor...
“To avoid criticism say nothing, do nothing, be nothing.”


― Aristotle

Offline davidrotts63

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: May 2017
  • Posts: 7218
  • Total likes: 978
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 26
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Programs: Hertz Gold, Hyatt Member, BA Blue, Ebay banned, Amazon Prime
Re: Amex F/R Master Thread
« Reply #7808 on: February 16, 2018, 03:50:36 PM »
he said he no options, so wasn't mentioned, I guess I'll have dw mention it when she talks to the supervisor...
Only if the supervisor agrees with this rep, hopefully the supervisor will follow HT he normal protocol on her/his own
(Quit) pulling out the flowers, and watering the weeds. -Peter Lynch

Offline Pesach

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite + Lifetime Gold Elite
  • ******
  • Join Date: Nov 2016
  • Posts: 911
  • Total likes: 41
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
  • Location: Ny
Re: Amex F/R Master Thread
« Reply #7809 on: February 17, 2018, 07:53:14 PM »
am i risking f/r or a shutdown on amex cc if I get shutdown from bluebird?

Offline BP16

  • Dansdeals Platinum Elite
  • ****
  • Join Date: Feb 2017
  • Posts: 323
  • Total likes: 59
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
Re: Amex F/R Master Thread
« Reply #7810 on: February 17, 2018, 11:30:53 PM »
am i risking f/r or a shutdown on amex cc if I get shutdown from bluebird?
I wouldn't think so.

Offline Yehuda25

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Dec 2013
  • Posts: 6069
  • Total likes: 78
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 9
    • View Profile
Re: Amex F/R Master Thread
« Reply #7811 on: February 18, 2018, 12:43:24 AM »
am i risking f/r or a shutdown on amex cc if I get shutdown from bluebird?
no.
“To avoid criticism say nothing, do nothing, be nothing.”


― Aristotle

Offline moe8555

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Apr 2014
  • Posts: 1303
  • Total likes: 155
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 11
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: Israel
  • Programs: AA Platinum Pro, Virgin Atlantic Silver, IHG Diamond Ambassador, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold, Sixt Platinum
Re: Amex F/R Master Thread
« Reply #7812 on: February 18, 2018, 12:58:33 AM »
Does Amex ever become suspicious of MPX transactions on the Platinum? Not thousands of dollars, maybe a grand a month or so...

Offline mmgfarb

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Dec 2015
  • Posts: 8355
  • Total likes: 1110
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 4
    • View Profile
Re: Amex F/R Master Thread
« Reply #7813 on: February 18, 2018, 01:08:58 AM »
Does Amex ever become suspicious of MPX transactions on the Platinum? Not thousands of dollars, maybe a grand a month or so...
Shouldn't be a problem but MPX may be dead now anyways.
"JS [is] a fetid cesspool of unvarnished linguistic manure, with lots of useless drivel and post-padding." -Moishebatchy

Offline moe8555

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Apr 2014
  • Posts: 1303
  • Total likes: 155
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 11
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: Israel
  • Programs: AA Platinum Pro, Virgin Atlantic Silver, IHG Diamond Ambassador, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold, Sixt Platinum
Re: Amex F/R Master Thread
« Reply #7814 on: February 18, 2018, 01:16:51 AM »
Shouldn't be a problem but MPX may be dead now anyways.

As of last statement, it posted as expected. If it's a goner, I suppose the card will also be a goner  ;D

Offline davidrotts63

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: May 2017
  • Posts: 7218
  • Total likes: 978
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 26
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Programs: Hertz Gold, Hyatt Member, BA Blue, Ebay banned, Amazon Prime
Re: Amex F/R Master Thread
« Reply #7815 on: February 18, 2018, 01:19:04 AM »
As of last statement, it posted as expected. If it's a goner, I suppose the card will also be a goner  ;D
IINM, it has previously died before.
(Quit) pulling out the flowers, and watering the weeds. -Peter Lynch

Offline mmgfarb

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Dec 2015
  • Posts: 8355
  • Total likes: 1110
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 4
    • View Profile
Re: Amex F/R Master Thread
« Reply #7816 on: February 18, 2018, 01:19:14 AM »
As of last statement, it posted as expected. If it's a goner, I suppose the card will also be a goner  ;D
Changed as of last week, we'll see what happens.
"JS [is] a fetid cesspool of unvarnished linguistic manure, with lots of useless drivel and post-padding." -Moishebatchy

Offline moe8555

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Apr 2014
  • Posts: 1303
  • Total likes: 155
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 11
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: Israel
  • Programs: AA Platinum Pro, Virgin Atlantic Silver, IHG Diamond Ambassador, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold, Sixt Platinum
Re: Amex F/R Master Thread
« Reply #7817 on: February 18, 2018, 01:48:07 AM »
Changed as of last week, we'll see what happens.

How did you find out?

Offline moe8555

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Apr 2014
  • Posts: 1303
  • Total likes: 155
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 11
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: Israel
  • Programs: AA Platinum Pro, Virgin Atlantic Silver, IHG Diamond Ambassador, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold, Sixt Platinum
Re: Amex F/R Master Thread
« Reply #7818 on: February 18, 2018, 01:49:38 AM »
IINM, it has previously died before.

Yes, it definitely has.  I may have also seen a report of transactions being updated to 5X retroactively, but the memory is a little fuzzy.

Offline Yehuda25

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Dec 2013
  • Posts: 6069
  • Total likes: 78
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 9
    • View Profile
Re: Amex F/R Master Thread
« Reply #7819 on: February 19, 2018, 04:56:44 PM »
Ok, so Amex closed all DW's cards :'(

Reason that income is not enough to support financial obligations blah blah.

Supervisor just spouted the same thing the original rep did.


Few Questions/Thoughts:

1) Has anyone ever heard of this? where one had tax returns and Amex could not care less (and decent returns too b"h...)

2)The supervisor closed the cards, I requested a callback from his supervisor any shot they can be reopened?

3) For those that want to know  - the trigger was 71k in business purchases in a 2 month span (on a charge card, cl not churned).

4) I'm going to file a complaint with the CPFB, for the unused airline credits and 2 new cards that had signup bonuses - any shot at getting paid for those?
“To avoid criticism say nothing, do nothing, be nothing.”


― Aristotle