Topic Wiki

DEAD - 10/13/14

READ THE WIKI! IT IS VERY CLEAR!

The Basics:

You can send up to $1,000/month directly from your CCs or GCs, and receive the same amount, which can then be withdrawn to your bank account. (No, you don't withdraw the money to your CC or GC.) These limits reset on the 1st of the calendar month at 12am Pacific Time.

Setup:

1. Although AP requires a SSN, you will not get a hard pull against your credit. You will not get a 1099-K unless you are receiving over $20k per year AND have done 200 transactions.

2. The driver's license number on the account need not be a real number, only the same format.

3. You need to connect and verify a bank account to be able to send $1,000/month. Otherwise, only $500 will be allowed. (Also, you will have difficulty withdrawing money to your bank account if it is not connected to your account.)

4. Verification can sometimes be instant if you log into your bank account through Amazon, but sometimes (particularly with smaller banks or CUs, it seems) the only working option is to allow AP to make two small deposits to you account (less than a dollar, often much less) and then reporting the exact amounts thereby verifying that the account is yours. (If you want to use AP as described here, don't even think about trying to profit from the small deposits by opening up a ton of accounts. You have been warned.)

5. The receiver account must add a credit card to be able to capture the funds sent.

Sending Money

1. Make sure to select "Goods and Services" when sending money. This is important so that the transaction codes as a purchase (for which you will get CC points/miles) and not a cash advance (for which you will not).

2. For some reason, when sending the value from GCs, AP will often prevent the full value from being sent unless, when connecting the GC with your account, you first enter the wrong expiration date and then change it to the correct one. <blinkblink>... <shrug>... but it works.  Or wait a week after putting the GC into your account for the hold to be removed from the funds.

3. And no, Amazon Gift Card balance cannot be used with Amazon Payments.

Multiple accounts:

1. It is highly recommended not to access both accounts of a transaction from the same IP address. Please see the IP Information section below for more... IP Information.

2. Most people didn't have problems opening two accounts per SSN even if they link to the same bank account, but it is risky to send money back and forth between them. Some report a similar risk with sending or receiving with a spouse who has the same bank account linked to their account.

3. Sending money using the same CC from different accounts is a known cause of shutdown.

Error messages and potential delays

1. If you get a message stating "We are unable to complete your transaction until further review. It can take up to 24 hours to complete this transaction. We apologize for any inconvenience this delay may cause," relax and be patient. It is perfectly normal.

2. Withdrawals are never authorized immediately. Be patient. It usually doesn't even take a full day. Likewise it's perfectly normal for you to get a message that your withdrawal has succeeded but it doesn't show up in your bank account yet even as pending. It will be there soon. Be patient.

3. Verifying a bank account via the deposit method can take a few days. Please anticipate and account for the extra time needed for the deposit method if you are planning to set up and use an account for the first time late in the month.

IP Information:

1. To check the IP address of the device you're using, Google "how to check my IP address"

2. All devices using the same WiFi router have the same IP address.

3. A computer connected to the Internet with a router has a different IP than it does if connected to the Internet without a router.

4. Browsing incognito or in private mode does not change your IP address.

5. To change the IP address of a computer, turn off the computer, wait a few minutes, then turn it back on. Check if you have a new IP address. If not, turn it off for 8+ hours (overnight or something) and check again. You will likely have a new IP address.

6. On a phone or other device (with it's own data) switch WiFi off. To change IP addresses, switch to 'airplane mode' and switch back and you will usually have a new IP address. Note: If your phone or tablet has WiFi only, it will always have the same IP address as other devices that connect through the same WiFi.


PBaruch's suggestions:

1. It is no longer generally considered safe to have multiple AP accounts for the same person.  Yes, there are exceptions and some people have had luck but I would caution against it.  If you are the reckless type go to number 2 below.  If not, please proceed to number 3 below.

2. If you do decide to try your luck and open 2 or more AP accounts for the same person, do not send $ back and forth between these two accounts.

3. Do not send $ back and forth between people in the same household.  Again, there are exceptions and some people have had luck but it is a trigger for a shutdown.  The way AP views it is if you are in the same household, give em cash. 

4. If there are multiple AP users in the same household, do NOT use the same IP address.  If you do, be warned.  You will very likely be shut down.

5. If you are shut down, you may have luck reopening your AP account by varying the spelling of your name and changing your address. 

6. If you want to send $ to a spouse, it helps if he/she has a different last name and address.

7. I would caution against any complete circles or triangles.  For instance, do not send A-B-C-A.  Rather, send A-B-C-D.

8. If you need bank accounts to link to AP, it is VERY easy to open multiple accounts (with no fee) by using Capitol One 360: https://home.capitalone360.com/ (Be aware that this is likely a hard pull.)

9. Do NOT do instant account verification. Let them send deposits instead to verify the account.  By doing so, I do not believe that they know who owns the account. This may be useful if you use some of my other suggestions.

These are my suggestions based upon personal experience and my gleaning of other posts.

Poll

Were you shut down?

Yes, but i got it back! :)
7 (2.9%)
Yes. :(
55 (22.5%)
No, B"H!  :)
149 (61.1%)
Yes and No (I have more then 1 account)
33 (13.5%)

Total Members Voted: 244

Author Topic: Amazon Payments Master Thread (RIP 10/13/14)  (Read 1139347 times)

Offline Jkhein

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Re: Amazon Payments Master Thread
« Reply #3700 on: December 23, 2013, 06:33:40 AM »

Offline Moshe123

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Re: Amazon Payments Master Thread
« Reply #3701 on: December 23, 2013, 06:43:01 AM »
Thanks.
If other accounts of that person are still open, does it mean that they're safe for now? I was able to make a payment.
I did this for a friend.

Offline Jkhein

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Re: Amazon Payments Master Thread
« Reply #3702 on: December 23, 2013, 06:51:45 AM »
Thanks.
If other accounts of that person are still open, does it mean that they're safe for now? I was able to make a payment.
I did this for a friend.
safe for as long as its open

Offline yoshi

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Re: Amazon Payments Master Thread
« Reply #3703 on: December 24, 2013, 01:29:15 AM »
I'm sure this question was already asked but......can
I use a amazon gift card e-mail. As opposed to a physical gift card?

Offline Shmulyg

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Re: Amazon Payments Master Thread
« Reply #3704 on: December 24, 2013, 01:47:30 AM »
I'm sure this question was already asked but......can
I use a amazon gift card e-mail. As opposed to a physical gift card?
You can't use either.

Offline yoshi

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Re: Amazon Payments Master Thread
« Reply #3705 on: December 24, 2013, 02:27:01 AM »
It says on the wiki I can use a gift card for amazon payments.....

Offline Hiding

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Re: Amazon Payments Master Thread
« Reply #3706 on: December 24, 2013, 02:39:17 AM »
A cash GC

Offline yoshi

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Re: Amazon Payments Master Thread
« Reply #3707 on: December 24, 2013, 03:01:12 AM »
Excuse my ignorance.....I can buy a cash gift card using an amex card? If yes how? And what is the difference between the cash gift card and the other ones?

Offline Shmulyg

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Re: Amazon Payments Master Thread
« Reply #3708 on: December 24, 2013, 04:11:16 AM »
Excuse my ignorance.....I can buy a cash gift card using an amex card? If yes how? And what is the difference between the cash gift card and the other ones?
Yes. In many stores. Amazon GCs can only be used for Amazon purchases.

Offline sguitarist18

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Re: Amazon Payments Master Thread
« Reply #3709 on: December 24, 2013, 04:38:02 AM »
2 Questions:

1) According to Amazon, is rent considered "goods and services?"

2) (This should probably be in the wiki) - I haven't gotten any message, but my username and password aren't working, I'm assuming that means they've closed my account?

Offline bookwrm

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Re: Amazon Payments Master Thread
« Reply #3710 on: December 24, 2013, 03:33:51 PM »
my experience from this past month: tried to send to friend using husbands account (used different IP and incognito). payment failed, account was shut down. not only was his account shut, but two other accounts which i have not touched in two months were shut down. husband called and his account was reopened the next day. i sent an e-mail from one of the accounts in question, told them that it was only one person and they re-opened the account that night. i also sent an e-mail from a previously closed account and that one was reopened too.

lesson that i learned: e-mailing does help. still have no idea what triggered three accounts to be closed at once, oh well.

Offline notanonymous

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Re: Amazon Payments Master Thread
« Reply #3711 on: December 24, 2013, 07:27:30 PM »
2 Questions:

1) According to Amazon, is rent considered "goods and services?"

2) (This should probably be in the wiki) - I haven't gotten any message, but my username and password aren't working, I'm assuming that means they've closed my account?
2. Probably.  But can you log in to amazon.com?

Offline sguitarist18

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Re: Amazon Payments Master Thread
« Reply #3712 on: December 24, 2013, 09:00:59 PM »
No, can't log into either - they just told me:

Quote
Greetings from Amazon Payments.

To ensure that all parties have the best experience using Amazon Payments, we conduct reviews of Amazon Payments accounts.  This action is undertaken regularly on Amazon Payments accounts. Unfortunately, at this time, we are not able to approve your request for an Amazon Payments Account based on our review of your intended use of our payments service.

Your account is restricted and cannot be used to initiate any future transactions. While we appreciate your interest, the blocking of your account is a permanent action. Please feel free to write to us for any questions that you may have at payments-verification@amazon.com.

Thank you for your interest in Amazon Payments.

I'm going to argue, obviously - I have an account, and my wife does, we don't have any other accounts, and I use my account to pay rent - is that officially an allowable use?

Offline ash

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Re: Amazon Payments Master Thread
« Reply #3713 on: December 24, 2013, 11:18:17 PM »
my experience from this past month: tried to send to friend using husbands account (used different IP and incognito). payment failed, account was shut down. not only was his account shut, but two other accounts which i have not touched in two months were shut down. husband called and his account was reopened the next day. i sent an e-mail from one of the accounts in question, told them that it was only one person and they re-opened the account that night. i also sent an e-mail from a previously closed account and that one was reopened too.

lesson that i learned: e-mailing does help. still have no idea what triggered three accounts to be closed at once, oh well.

what exactly did you email ? I had 3 accounts that shut down ? and did you email directly from the AP or send it from an email site ?

Offline bookwrm

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Re: Amazon Payments Master Thread
« Reply #3714 on: December 24, 2013, 11:24:29 PM »
what exactly did you email ? I had 3 accounts that shut down ? and did you email directly from the AP or send it from an email site ?

in the account shut down e-mail, it says that i have more than one account. well, technically speaking, the person i am only has one account. so i told them that i only have one account and don't know why i was shut down. i replied to the e-mail from "florence G" about the account being suspended.

Offline ash

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Re: Amazon Payments Master Thread
« Reply #3715 on: December 24, 2013, 11:59:23 PM »
hhmmm thank you I will try

Offline sguitarist18

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Re: Amazon Payments Master Thread
« Reply #3716 on: December 25, 2013, 08:18:06 AM »
My question is, considering that They're urrently holding about $2200 of my money ($1000 I just received, $600 I sent, and another $600 of gift cards), should I be patient with them, or immediately move to Better Business Bureau, or another option?

Just for full disclosure: My wife sent to a friend's sister (to pay for bus tickets), my friend sent to me (to pay for tutoring), and I sent money to my landlord. All the accounts involved (including my wife and landlord's) have been closed, including regular Amazon accounts.

Help!

Offline PBaruch

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Re: Amazon Payments Master Thread
« Reply #3717 on: December 25, 2013, 08:52:47 AM »
My question is, considering that They're urrently holding about $2200 of my money ($1000 I just received, $600 I sent, and another $600 of gift cards), should I be patient with them, or immediately move to Better Business Bureau, or another option?

Just for full disclosure: My wife sent to a friend's sister (to pay for bus tickets), my friend sent to me (to pay for tutoring), and I sent money to my landlord. All the accounts involved (including my wife and landlord's) have been closed, including regular Amazon accounts.

Help!

Call them every day until it is resolved.  Keep calling.  In my past experience emails are useless.
What do you do after your dreams come true?

Offline sguitarist18

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Re: Amazon Payments Master Thread
« Reply #3718 on: December 25, 2013, 09:55:03 AM »
Who do I call, though? The regular Amazon customer service says they can't do anything. Is there a number for AP customer service?

Offline PBaruch

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Re: Amazon Payments Master Thread
« Reply #3719 on: December 25, 2013, 09:56:44 AM »
Who do I call, though? The regular Amazon customer service says they can't do anything. Is there a number for AP customer service?

There is no number to call the specialists.  Ask for them to call you by clicking the button on the website.  Keep doing it every day until you get your money.  I had to call 3x and then I finally got my money.
What do you do after your dreams come true?