Requirement to provide social security numbers for additional Amex cardholders

[newdanfan]

I tried activating cards of additional cardholders that I added to my Amex accounts.  However, I was unable to do this online and received an error message that I need to call in to Amex customer care and be ready to provide birthdates and social security numbers of the additional users. 

When I called, I was told I cannot activate without providing the socials.  The representative informed me that this was a new rule. 

Does anybody have a way around this?  I do not want to give the social security numbers of my additional cardholders.


Thanks in advance!

[nobiggy]

I tried activating cards of additional cardholders that I added to my Amex accounts.  However, I was unable to do this online and received an error message that I need to call in to Amex customer care and be ready to provide birthdates and social security numbers of the additional users. 

When I called, I was told I cannot activate without providing the socials.  The representative informed me that this was a new rule. 

Does anybody have a way around this?  I do not want to give the social security numbers of my additional cardholders.


Thanks in advance!

Recently it has been hard to bypass it. Seems like they are cracking down on fake people.
A few HUCA's and telling them "I don't have SS# handy,i'll call back tomorrow to add it" should do the job.

[newdanfan]

Getting around it isn't working for me.  I'm being directed to either a phone system that only allows me to proceed by entering a social or to a phone system where nobody will let me through without it. 

The additional cards are for valid people.  But I do not want to give their social security numbers. 

What would happen if a social was entered incorrectly, or if the social didn't match that specific cardholder?  Is this like just giving a secure 9 digit number for each cardholder for security purposes so that entering any 9 digit number and using that same number for this specific person would be fine, or must it be the actual social security number of that person on the card?

[nobiggy]

Getting around it isn't working for me.  I'm being directed to either a phone system that only allows me to proceed by entering a social or to a phone system where nobody will let me through without it. 

call AMEX and press 0 untill you get a live person.....

[newdanfan]

What would happen if a social was entered incorrectly, or if the social didn't match that specific cardholder?  Is this like just giving a secure 9 digit number for each cardholder for security purposes so that entering any 9 digit number and using that same number for this specific person would be fine, or must it be the actual social security number of that person on the card?

[dovy2]

Another question on the same page, do they match the dob with the social?

[VacationLover]

Best of my knowledge you can activate and say you will call later with the social number. (Did it 2 weeks ago)

[rr1]

did 2 weeks ago and activated online and it let me through, maybe because they all had the same last name as myself

[yoshi]

Just open au's under your own name.

[cholent]

Just open au's under your own name.

But if you provide your own social again wouldn't that be an obvious red flag...?

[TimT]

did 2 weeks ago and activated online and it let me through, maybe because they all had the same last name as myself

It went through without ssn ?

[newdanfan]

I'm honestly surprised that more people aren't having this issue.  Unless no one else adding more AU's in the last two weeks.  I just added a bunch more because of Small Business Saturday.  And I can't seem to find a work around.  When you call to add a new AU, they are happy to add the person without a social.  The issue is activating a card.  When you call to activate, they won't let you do it without then giving the social. 

[TimT]

I'm honestly surprised that more people aren't having this issue.  Unless no one else adding more AU's in the last two weeks.  I just added a bunch more because of Small Business Saturday.  And I can't seem to find a work around.  When you call to add a new AU, they are happy to add the person without a social.  The issue is activating a card.  When you call to activate, they won't let you do it without then giving the social.

Did you try activating online ?

[rr1]

did same last name my ss or same as another that was already a AU on the card

[udip3146]

Why does it need to be activated? You can use it without activating.

[newdanfan]

Wait... seriously?!?  What's the point in activating then?

And yes, I did try online for the ones that it allowed.  Some came in the mail with a sticker that just gave the option of calling.  And when I tried to activate those online, it didn't allow me and gave me the number to call again.

[eli.f]

Why does it need to be activated? You can use it without activating.

That usually works only for relatively small amounts and tends to get blocked after a few days. (According to many online reports)

[dovy2]

That usually works only for relatively small amounts and tends to get blocked after a few days. (According to many online reports)

And 30 bucks is a small purchase

[eli.f]

And 30 bucks is a small purchase

I agree. It would probably go through. I've put much more than that on unactivated cards. (I think I put $300 once)
I was just explaining what's the point in activating all together.

[bar19900]

I can add that I've recently added myself as an AU on my wife's cards through live chat and had the card for about a month without a social, but they STILL REPORTED IT TO MY CREDIT REPORT (without knowing my social).  I finally tried to add it online and couldn't because they didn't have my ssn. 

*they may have gambled because we are both amex customers and have the same address, but still they're definitely proactive about getting your info.