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 1874832 times)

Offline Drago

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Re: Amex F/R Master Thread
« Reply #1840 on: December 01, 2012, 04:00:54 PM »
i agree. It was spur of the moment.

We both were FRd 2 yrs ago, and passed, albeit w/ a CL cut.
Our tax returns though match our stated income basically, so I'm not too concerned.
Passed, put CL limits on cards.

Offline U-no-me!

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Re: Amex F/R Master Thread
« Reply #1841 on: December 01, 2012, 04:04:25 PM »
Passed, put CL limits on cards.

Nice!!
L'chaim

« Last Edit: December 01, 2012, 04:08:06 PM by U-no-me! »
Vote U-no-me '14!

Offline Jkhein

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Re: Amex F/R Master Thread
« Reply #1842 on: December 01, 2012, 04:20:17 PM »
Passed, put CL limits on cards.
nice! But did you miss out now on SBS? Send an sm for every card and let us know!

Offline Drago

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Re: Amex F/R Master Thread
« Reply #1843 on: December 02, 2012, 01:11:00 AM »
nice! But did you miss out now on SBS? Send an sm for every card and let us know!

Seems like it would be rubbing it in, but I'll try.

Nice!!
L'chaim
Thanks! We're now 3 for 3 in the last 3 yrs. 2 for her, one for me.

Offline Saver2000

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Re: Amex F/R Master Thread
« Reply #1844 on: December 04, 2012, 01:14:40 AM »
I helped a family member apply for a plat + MB plat on friday.

No instant approval, and application status said pending, so we called the recon number.

They said that we will be getting a letter in the mail requesting a 4506T, and a bank letter for address verification.

I don't wanna wait till this letter comes in the mail bec i'd like to have the cards in hand before 12/31.

Is it possible to preemptively take care of this? Is there a standard letter that they send out that can be found online, or that someone can upload here?

Also, in general, how long does this process take? Am I dreaming about it being done within 3 weeks?

Any input is appreciated. btw applicant is an amex first timer.

Thanx

Offline MEIR613

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Re: Amex F/R Master Thread
« Reply #1845 on: December 04, 2012, 01:41:49 AM »
I helped a family member apply for a plat + MB plat on friday.

No instant approval, and application status said pending, so we called the recon number.

They said that we will be getting a letter in the mail requesting a 4506T, and a bank letter for address verification.

I don't wanna wait till this letter comes in the mail bec i'd like to have the cards in hand before 12/31.

Is it possible to preemptively take care of this? Is there a standard letter that they send out that can be found online, or that someone can upload here?

Also, in general, how long does this process take? Am I dreaming about it being done within 3 weeks?

Any input is appreciated. btw applicant is an amex first timer.

Thanx

You did 2bm plat +mb plat? Linky for plat? I thought plat+mb plat =1 bonus. CMIIAW


Offline Jkhein

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Re: Amex F/R Master Thread
« Reply #1846 on: December 04, 2012, 03:30:01 AM »
I helped a family member apply for a plat + MB plat on friday.

No instant approval, and application status said pending, so we called the recon number.

They said that we will be getting a letter in the mail requesting a 4506T, and a bank letter for address verification.

I don't wanna wait till this letter comes in the mail bec i'd like to have the cards in hand before 12/31.

Is it possible to preemptively take care of this? Is there a standard letter that they send out that can be found online, or that someone can upload here?

Also, in general, how long does this process take? Am I dreaming about it being done within 3 weeks?

Any input is appreciated. btw applicant is an amex first timer.

Thanx
since the account is not set up yet, there probably is not yet a specific FR advisor set to the case, they usually would email you the form and can get it back within 5 days.

Offline Drago

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Re: Amex F/R Master Thread
« Reply #1847 on: December 04, 2012, 06:16:50 AM »
Took around a week from when I submitted.
Call them up, and they'll send you an email w/ all the info you need to do.

Offline Saver2000

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Re: Amex F/R Master Thread
« Reply #1848 on: December 04, 2012, 03:51:06 PM »
since the account is not set up yet, there probably is not yet a specific FR advisor set to the case, they usually would email you the form and can get it back within 5 days.
Took around a week from when I submitted.
Call them up, and they'll send you an email w/ all the info you need to do.
Thanx

So I called the recon line and asked them to fax me the info. The indian guy says they can't do that, and I should just "google it up" and print it out.
(When I asked him for instructions on how to "google it up", he didn't know how to explain it   ;D )

He gave me the fax number and mailing address. The 4506-T can be faxed, but the bank letter must be mailed  :( .

Offline AsherO

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Re: Amex F/R Master Thread
« Reply #1849 on: December 04, 2012, 03:57:55 PM »
Thanx

So I called the recon line and asked them to fax me the info. The indian guy says they can't do that, and I should just "google it up" and print it out.
(When I asked him for instructions on how to "google it up", he didn't know how to explain it   ;D )

He gave me the fax number and mailing address. The 4506-T can be faxed, but the bank letter must be mailed  :( .

I was able to fax both. Was he able to give you the fax number? Here's the link to a 4506-T.
DDF FFB (Forum From Birth)

Offline Saver2000

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Re: Amex F/R Master Thread
« Reply #1850 on: December 04, 2012, 04:15:53 PM »
I was able to fax both. Was he able to give you the fax number? Here's the link to a 4506-T.
Thanx for the link. That was the one I found when I googled it up  ;)

Yes, he gave me the fax number.

Offline AsherO

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Re: Amex F/R Master Thread
« Reply #1851 on: December 04, 2012, 04:19:27 PM »
Thanx for the link. That was the one I found when I googled it up  ;)

Yes, he gave me the fax number.

Do you have the info for the bank letter?
DDF FFB (Forum From Birth)

Offline Saver2000

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Re: Amex F/R Master Thread
« Reply #1852 on: December 04, 2012, 08:18:55 PM »
Do you have the info for the bank letter?
I have the info, but where am I supposed to get the letter from? A chase banker @ a branch location?
Will they fax it to me?

Offline bluemiles

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Re: Amex F/R Master Thread
« Reply #1853 on: December 04, 2012, 08:24:53 PM »
I got a fr today on my AMEX charge card, they want my 2011 tax return....
I wrote on aplication that i make 50k a year. But on the return its about 20k.
my question is what should i do
1) send in the return and pray?
2) send in bank statements (which has 10k+) for the last 3 month and ignore the return.
3) close my cc and hope it wont kill my credit like as if they close it.
Please anybody that really knows how to help me should reply.
Thanks a lot :(

Offline dans fan

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Re: Amex F/R Master Thread
« Reply #1854 on: December 04, 2012, 08:54:22 PM »

Also, in general, how long does this process take? Am I dreaming about it being done within 3 weeks?


Thanx
they can do it, but you have to keep calling them to make sure they got it....., and keep requesting that someone review it and that they process it

Offline AJK

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Re: Amex F/R Master Thread
« Reply #1855 on: December 04, 2012, 08:55:01 PM »
I got a fr today on my AMEX charge card, they want my 2011 tax return....
I wrote on aplication that i make 50k a year. But on the return its about 20k.
my question is what should i do
1) send in the return and pray?
2) send in bank statements (which has 10k+) for the last 3 month and ignore the return.
3) close my cc and hope it wont kill my credit like as if they close it.
Please anybody that really knows how to help me should reply.
Thanks a lot :(

1 Seems like your best bet, provided they asked for your business tax return and your business showed 20K in 2011.

Doing 2 without prior permission doesn't seem like a good idea and will likely just get your accounts closed.

3 always is an option, but I'd go with 1 as long as you've fulfilled the provisos above.
2015: 116K bkd | 1.6M brnd | F: OZ,NH,AA,EK | J: UA,CA,TK,DL,TN,AF,VA | LIH,NRT,ROR,PEK,CNS,BOB,MEL,TLV & Pacific Hopper

Offline YG

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Re: Amex F/R Master Thread
« Reply #1856 on: December 04, 2012, 09:49:30 PM »
I just got the annual fee for my delta gold Amex.
I wanted to close t and move the CL to my SPG.  They said they have to leave a CL of 500 on the card but can move 1500 of the 2k CL on the delta to the SPG. I decided to go ahead with that for a start and not close the delta yet to see whether there's a way around closing the 500 of CL on the delta.

She said the transfer of the CL from delta to SPG was not instantly approved and it needs to be considered and ill get a response in the mail in 7-10 days.

Should I be concerned that it wasn't approved? Could it be indicative of an upcoming FR?

Offline AsherO

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Re: Amex F/R Master Thread
« Reply #1857 on: December 05, 2012, 12:51:35 AM »
Should I be concerned that it wasn't approved? Could it be indicative of an upcoming FR?

No, FRs come with no heads up from Amex (though if you tell us you exceeded your CL in your first month of added 50 AUs, we'll give you a heds up right here :D)

You're safe IMHO.
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Offline YG

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Re: Amex F/R Master Thread
« Reply #1858 on: December 05, 2012, 07:16:32 AM »
Thank you much

[going a little OT, I couldn't find a thread that really relevant (the closest was the retention bonuses one) and seeing as I already posted this here I figured I'd keep it here instead of going all over the place.]

Re the fact that they said they can't move the whole CL from the delta and must keep at least $500, and if I want to close it ill lose that amount of my CL, is that takkeh blanket policy, or should I HUCA about moving the last $500 from the delta to the SPG to close the delta with no loss of CL?
« Last Edit: December 05, 2012, 07:35:29 AM by YG »

Offline Moishebatchy

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Re: Amex F/R Master Thread
« Reply #1859 on: December 05, 2012, 07:54:17 AM »
Re the fact that they said they can't move the whole CL from the delta and must keep at least $500, and if I want to close it ill lose that amount of my CL, is that takkeh blanket policy, or should I HUCA about moving the last $500 from the delta to the SPG to close the delta with no loss of CL?

I can't speak for Amex, but Chase has a similar policy, and IME they're quite stubborn about it. So it's not unheard of...