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 1876233 times)

Offline Mordyk

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Re: Amex F/R Master Thread
« Reply #6760 on: April 20, 2016, 03:54:56 PM »
Did twice. She actually sounded nice in her voicemail. For now ill sit tight... :-\
dont be afraid to kiss up... it helps
#TYH

Offline Luvisrael

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Re: Amex F/R Master Thread
« Reply #6761 on: April 20, 2016, 03:56:04 PM »
dont be afraid to kiss up... it helps
Thanx for the moral support ;)

Offline Mordyk

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Re: Amex F/R Master Thread
« Reply #6762 on: April 20, 2016, 04:16:53 PM »
Thanx for the moral support ;)
and..... it happened >:( 

its on my wifes business account. we filed jointly and the tax return was about $38k  should i be concerned?
i also went through this not too long ago. read the last few pages and see my posts and updates. and i feel that kissing up helped. it was for my wifes account and the rep would pick up the phone every time "Hi mr. PERL" how are you ;D
#TYH

Offline Luvisrael

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Re: Amex F/R Master Thread
« Reply #6763 on: April 20, 2016, 05:28:32 PM »
ok so she finally called, she was nice and I was nice to her, although she politely steered the convo to 'cut to the chase'' ill email u the 4506T form and try to email asap, bec we might have to close the account and were not looking to do that.
Now, before I send it back, is there a chance ill be shut down(than wud be better to close myself) or not?
Income on tax is like around 38k...

Offline yossig

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Re: Amex F/R Master Thread
« Reply #6764 on: April 20, 2016, 06:11:37 PM »
ok so she finally called, she was nice and I was nice to her, although she politely steered the convo to 'cut to the chase'' ill email u the 4506T form and try to email asap, bec we might have to close the account and were not looking to do that.
Now, before I send it back, is there a chance ill be shut down(than wud be better to close myself) or not?
Income on tax is like around 38k...
i just had an FR and i reported about same amount and they just slashed all my CL but left one 20k limit
so i think nothing what to worry about!

Offline Marko Rubio

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Re: Amex F/R Master Thread
« Reply #6765 on: April 20, 2016, 08:21:16 PM »
i just had an FR and i reported about same amount and they just slashed all my CL but left one 20k limit
so i think nothing what to worry about!
i passed a f"r with just 14k income so you are way good to go
Do u have any different idea for a signature?

Offline maxie m

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Re: Amex F/R Master Thread
« Reply #6766 on: April 20, 2016, 10:45:42 PM »
i passed a f"r with just 14k income so you are way good to go
+1
Dumb people learn from their own mistakes,smart people,from the mistakes of others

Offline pixi

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Re: Amex F/R Master Thread
« Reply #6767 on: April 21, 2016, 12:58:04 AM »
i passed a f"r with just 14k income so you are way good to go
What cards did you have?
money doesn't talk......      it SCREAMS !

Offline Marko Rubio

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Re: Amex F/R Master Thread
« Reply #6768 on: April 21, 2016, 03:33:26 AM »
What cards did you have?
3 personal cards and yes they did slash my credit limits
Do u have any different idea for a signature?

Offline pixi

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Re: Amex F/R Master Thread
« Reply #6769 on: April 21, 2016, 04:14:20 AM »
3 personal cards and yes they did slash my credit limits
Any charge card?
money doesn't talk......      it SCREAMS !

Offline Marko Rubio

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Re: Amex F/R Master Thread
« Reply #6770 on: April 21, 2016, 09:41:07 AM »
Any charge card?
yup PRG
what are you trying to figure out?
Do u have any different idea for a signature?

Offline pixi

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Re: Amex F/R Master Thread
« Reply #6771 on: April 21, 2016, 09:56:29 AM »
yup PRG
what are you trying to figure out?
If you had platinum card
money doesn't talk......      it SCREAMS !

Offline high end hobo

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Re: Amex F/R Master Thread
« Reply #6772 on: April 21, 2016, 06:13:59 PM »
Just got FRed
I haven't filed taxes.
They told me to send in paystubs and bank statements (which I have).
Is there someone here who can help me predict if i'll pass or fail (in which case I want to preemptively close my accounts)
If you're helpful enough, willing to compensate you

Offline maxie m

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Re: Amex F/R Master Thread
« Reply #6773 on: April 21, 2016, 06:22:41 PM »
Just got FRed
I haven't filed taxes.
They told me to send in paystubs and bank statements (which I have).
Is there someone here who can help me predict if i'll pass or fail (in which case I want to preemptively close my accounts)
If you're helpful enough, willing to compensate you
did you ask them to contact you first to give you the option to close your accounts in the event where they need to close you down c"v? they are usually good with that
Dumb people learn from their own mistakes,smart people,from the mistakes of others

Offline David Smith

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Re: Amex F/R Master Thread
« Reply #6774 on: April 21, 2016, 06:48:04 PM »
Just got FRed
I haven't filed taxes.
They told me to send in paystubs and bank statements (which I have).
Is there someone here who can help me predict if i'll pass or fail (in which case I want to preemptively close my accounts)
If you're helpful enough, willing to compensate you
I'd say pass. If you send in everything they request, you usually pass, albeit with spending limits imposed.
Who do you think you are fooling? You think you are going to pull a quick one on your Creator? Good luck with that.
JTZ

Offline chinagel

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Re: Amex F/R Master Thread
« Reply #6775 on: April 21, 2016, 07:53:05 PM »
I'd say pass. If you send in everything they request, you usually pass, albeit with spending limits imposed.
+1

Offline pixi

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Re: Amex F/R Master Thread
« Reply #6776 on: April 21, 2016, 10:18:29 PM »


did you ask them to contact you first to give you the option to close your accounts in the event where they need to close you down c"v? they are usually good with that

Not true,  it depends whom you have for your representative,  when I asked my rep for that she didn't let me do that. (thank God I passed)
money doesn't talk......      it SCREAMS !

Offline maxie m

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Re: Amex F/R Master Thread
« Reply #6777 on: April 21, 2016, 10:36:57 PM »

Not true,  it depends whom you have for your representative,  when I asked my rep for that she didn't let me do that. (thank God I passed)
mine told me she'd call me if necessary but passed  me b"h, many others reported the same.definitely is an option to look at and not blow it away
« Last Edit: April 21, 2016, 10:40:53 PM by maxie m »
Dumb people learn from their own mistakes,smart people,from the mistakes of others

Offline pixi

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Re: Amex F/R Master Thread
« Reply #6778 on: April 21, 2016, 10:44:25 PM »
mine told me she'd call me if necessary but passed  me b"h, many others reported the same.definitely is an option to look at and not blow it away
Again it depends whom you are dealing with.
money doesn't talk......      it SCREAMS !

Offline maxie m

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Re: Amex F/R Master Thread
« Reply #6779 on: April 21, 2016, 11:01:24 PM »
Again it depends whom you are dealing with.
whether you'll be successful or not? True. Still no reason not to try it, he has a fair shot
Dumb people learn from their own mistakes,smart people,from the mistakes of others