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 1895271 times)

Offline yomo

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Re: Amex F/R Master Thread
« Reply #4820 on: September 22, 2015, 03:25:47 AM »
Yes they will.
What about points from purchases and signup bonuses?
Will they post a pending?
Will the MR dept push them through when you're under financial review?

Offline D93

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Re: Amex F/R Master Thread
« Reply #4821 on: September 22, 2015, 03:49:40 AM »
What about points from purchases and signup bonuses?
yes
Quote
Will they post a pending?
What?
Quote
Will the MR dept push them through when you're under financial review?
yes

Offline yomo

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Re: Amex F/R Master Thread
« Reply #4822 on: September 22, 2015, 03:52:12 AM »
yesWhat?yes
So I shouldn't have any issues getting out my points while under fr?
What if I don't pass c'v, will I still be able to get and transfer out any MR from signup bonuses?

Offline D93

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Re: Amex F/R Master Thread
« Reply #4823 on: September 22, 2015, 04:08:04 AM »
So I shouldn't have any issues getting out my points while under fr?
No issues

Offline yomo

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Re: Amex F/R Master Thread
« Reply #4824 on: September 22, 2015, 04:09:34 AM »
Even if I don't pass the review and my cards are canceled?

Offline Emkay

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Re: Amex F/R Master Thread
« Reply #4825 on: September 22, 2015, 04:11:52 AM »
Even if I don't pass the review and my cards are canceled?
No, you need to transfer them out before you are shut down

Offline rileywiles23

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Re: Amex F/R Master Thread
« Reply #4826 on: September 22, 2015, 08:30:06 AM »
Can I still get my Amex checkout credits while under F/R ? I would have to call, or chat for them, since the charges posted after the official ending date ?
Life is as good as you make it...

Offline D93

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Re: Amex F/R Master Thread
« Reply #4827 on: September 22, 2015, 09:21:34 AM »
Can I still get my Amex checkout credits while under F/R ?
Yes

Offline yomo

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Re: Amex F/R Master Thread
« Reply #4828 on: September 22, 2015, 09:49:07 AM »
Yes
How do you do that?
I call and it goes strait to fr dept. Can't reach customer service..

Offline pixi

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Re: Amex F/R Master Thread
« Reply #4829 on: September 22, 2015, 09:52:27 AM »
How do you do that?
I call and it goes strait to fr dept. Can't reach customer service..
Call and do not enter your card numbers.
money doesn't talk......      it SCREAMS !

Offline Mordyk

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Re: Amex F/R Master Thread
« Reply #4830 on: September 22, 2015, 01:41:00 PM »
Can i salvage my points if i just got an f/r today?
#TYH

Offline yakrot

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Re: Amex F/R Master Thread
« Reply #4831 on: September 22, 2015, 01:53:32 PM »
A friend of mine had a really weird experience he got an email saying that his credit line has been limited. When he called up to find out why they said they had reviewed his account and decided to limit him. They said he has the option of sending in bank statements to release the limit. Charging was never suspended

Offline Jm1248

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Re: Amex F/R Master Thread
« Reply #4832 on: September 22, 2015, 02:18:29 PM »
Can i salvage my points if i just got an f/r today?
Yes

Offline Mordyk

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Re: Amex F/R Master Thread
« Reply #4833 on: September 22, 2015, 02:19:14 PM »
#TYH

Offline Jm1248

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Re: Amex F/R Master Thread
« Reply #4834 on: September 22, 2015, 02:20:18 PM »
And whata the best option?
Transfer them out. Any idea what triggered your fr?

Offline Mordyk

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Re: Amex F/R Master Thread
« Reply #4835 on: September 22, 2015, 02:23:06 PM »
Transfer them out. Any idea what triggered your fr?
Wasnt mine. But large spending for new accounts.  Didnt follow my instructions
#TYH

Offline Jm1248

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Re: Amex F/R Master Thread
« Reply #4836 on: September 22, 2015, 02:31:15 PM »
Wasnt mine. But large spending for new accounts.  Didnt follow my instructions
That's usually the trigger. No tax returns at all?

Offline rileywiles23

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Re: Amex F/R Master Thread
« Reply #4837 on: September 23, 2015, 11:03:18 PM »
Update: I passed my FR, they just slashed all my credit lines, and placed a spending limit on the charge cards.
Baruch HaShem the first piece of good news after Y"K, B'ezras HaShem more to come.
Life is as good as you make it...

Offline Yehuda25

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Re: Amex F/R Master Thread
« Reply #4838 on: September 23, 2015, 11:04:26 PM »
Update: I passed my FR, they just slashed all my credit lines, and placed a spending limit on the charge cards.
Baruch HaShem the first piece of good news after Y"K, B'ezras HaShem more to come.
any reported income?
“To avoid criticism say nothing, do nothing, be nothing.”


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Offline PETERP

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Re: Amex F/R Master Thread
« Reply #4839 on: September 23, 2015, 11:04:45 PM »
Update: I passed my FR, they just slashed all my credit lines, and placed a spending limit on the charge cards.
Baruch HaShem the first piece of good news after Y"K, B'ezras HaShem more to come.

Congrats.