I'm done with American Express

[Coquito]

I would like to personally state that Mill never once asked me to transport any unknown substances or counterfit tickle me elmo dolls at any time during the past three years.

 

[Mill]

Originally posted by: KarenMarie

Originally posted by: Baked
You were doing something very unusual, especially the part about buying airline tickets that weren't under your name. They probably reported you to IRS for terrorist alert.

Been a AMEX member for many years, never had a problem.

That is what i was thinking.

Buying airline tickets for foreigners is a red flag to anyone. even if it is harlmess. It is like depositing large sums of cash into a bank account. It sets up flags that need to be reported.

I disagree entirely, but then again I'm all about the Constitution and Civil Liberties. If the government needed information, a courtroom is one simple step across the street, and then they could subpoena any records they need. Getting private companies to create a backdoor to ignore Constitutional protections rubs me funny.

Honestly, I'm rather sure that if ANYONE should have been asking for records it should be the TSA or DHS. American Express has no business asking for tax records if they won't tell me the reason. If they said they needed it to prove credit worthiness then I can understand. To whet the curiosity of a prying federal government is not something I'm ok with. They should have to disclose that.

I feel like they wanted to review my tax records as a favor to the government to "check" for unusual income or misstatements. My taxes are done each year by a CPA firm, and I always pay and report everything but internet purchases. I have nothing to hide, but that's not a good enough rationale for me.

 

[Mill]

Originally posted by: Aharami
you should rant about the patriot act itself or the drafters of the act. not AMEX. They were just following procedure. Although, I agree, I wouldnt be comfortable sending them all those personal docs

My problem is that they wouldn't disclose their logic or reason for requesting the documents. I think it is a bit unfair to expect me to comply when they won't even say why they want them. The Supervisor playing loose and fast with my comments regarding the Patriot Act really got me thinking.

 

[Reckoner]

It was either:

A) A Financial Review (quite possibly)
B) The Patriot Act (as mentioned several times before)
C) A bit of both


Amex does financial reviews all the time. Especially if you're making large purchases- they want to make sure you can cover them. As for the Patriot Act, you can blame our lame government for that.

Link to Fatwallet discussion regarding AMEX Financial Reviews

 

[KLin]

Originally posted by: Mill

Originally posted by: Aharami
you should rant about the patriot act itself or the drafters of the act. not AMEX. They were just following procedure. Although, I agree, I wouldnt be comfortable sending them all those personal docs

My problem is that they wouldn't disclose their logic or reason for requesting the documents. I think it is a bit unfair to expect me to comply when they won't even say why they want them. The Supervisor playing loose and fast with my comments regarding the Patriot Act really got me thinking.

That was probably the supervisor's way of telling you "yes, the FBI gave us a jingle, spat off some stuff about the patriot act, and want you to release these documents so they(the FBI) can look at them".

 

[HomeAppraiser]

Do you think the government (HLS, FBI etc.) really needs to "ask" to see your tax returns and bank statements?

 

[totalcommand]

Originally posted by: Mill
In the past two months I bought about 6 airline tickets for different friends that didn't have credit cards, and they gave me the cash. I purchased them with my platinum card, and I paid the balance in full (you have to) way before the due date. Two weeks ago, Amex declined a charge when I was purchasing a mattress. I called in and they told me I would need to pay my balance before I could continue to make purchases (about 2000 dollars). I made the payment that night even though I felt a bit uneasy.

I bought an engagement ring for my fiance and a diamond this past week (2k), and then another airline ticket from Bogota back to here (750 dollars). American Express called me today and said that my accounts have been suspended. They asked that I fill out a form with the IRS that gives them access to all my tax records for the past three years, and that I provide them bank account statements, investment account statements, W-2s, and a utility bill to confirm my address.

I asked them why, and they said it was not related to my balances. I assumed it was because of what happened two weeks ago, but they said that was not the reason. Going on a hunch, I asked her if this was to comply with the Patriot Act and Money laundering regulations. The Supervisor told me that American Express "follows all government regulations." I asked my question again, and was very specific about the Patriot Act. She told me "I can neither confirm nor deny it is related to the Patriot Act."

I told her I would not be sending in the information, and that I wanted to close all of my American Express accounts. I told her that it should reflect that the accounts were closed by the consumer. She asked for me to make an immediate full payment on my outstanding balance, and I refused. I told her I would make the payment a few days before my due date which is what I always do.

Basically, I think my purchases of airline tickets for foreign students has somehow triggered a provision of the Patriot Act that American Express must comply with. Since they were not willing to admit it, I will no longer do business with them. I have never been late on a payment with them, nor have I ever had a returned check or other problem. I have no late payments on any credit accounts, mortgage accounts, or my car loan.

Anyone think I am out of line?

Cliffs:
Amex suspended my accounts
Amex wants my tax returns and bank statements
Refused to confirm or deny it was Patriot Act related

You should be hating the repubs and george bush for the patriot act, not AMEX. AMEX has been very helpful for much of my family.

 

[SophalotJack]

sue the bastards.

 

[akshatp]

Hmm.. I am constantly buying TV's and other appliances for friends and familiy from a store that I get things at cost. The deal is I charge it on my AmEx Skymiles card to rack up miles, and they save about 30% on the TV/Washer/Dryer/Fridge/etc.

I must have done about $40,000 this year alone on the one card, and I have never had a problem.

Maybe I should start splitting it up across different cards though?

 

[goodoptics]

Did they request your personal records in writing or just by someone on the phone? I wouldn't turn in any personal records just because someone on the phone told me to.

 

[amdforever2]

This is American Express financial review.

It is not related to your purchase of air tickets. It's simply payment and charge patterns and the whims of American Express that triggers this.

The IRS form is so they can access your unaltered tax returns to see if you're financially capable of repaying your charge patterns.




However, since financial review is ridiculously invasive compared to the policies of most credit card issuers you should probably go elsewhere.

I would recommend the Citi PremierPass American Express card.

No preset spending limit abilities, points for purchases and miles flown (your tickets you're buying would net you a fortune in points), no annual fee, etc.

The Amex branding gives it that airport lounge access, but with Citi as the issuer you don't have to deal with FR nonsense.

 

[eleison]

I hate american express... I use to have a corporate card with them but I really didn't like it due to their attitude. It would seem that they kept on denying me purchases and I would always have to call them just to make big purchases. What the use of a no preset limit when you have to call a head of time to make purchase over 1K? Stupid.. . that has been my experience with them. YMMV..


I use VISA now. Whenever, I feel like getting in debt, I don't have to ask permission anymore ;-)

-Eleison

 

[compnovice]

I few years back American Express out of the blue reduced my credit limit to 1/4th on their student blue card.

If, I remember correctly they asked me to send some documents so that the limit could be increased. I never did and didn't use AE for a few years. Now they keep on sending offers if I make purchases on it. Stupid American Express..

I never cancelled the card. Let the company spend money on its maintanance

 

[cchen]

Originally posted by: eleison
I hate american express... I use to have a corporate card with them but I really didn't like it due to their attitude. It would seem that they kept on denying me purchases and I would always have to call them just to make big purchases. What the use of a no preset limit when you have to call a head of time to make purchase over 1K? Stupid.. . that has been my experience with them. YMMV..


I use VISA now. Whenever, I feel like getting in debt, I don't have to ask permission anymore ;-)

-Eleison

Its called risk management. For some reason or another, your credit profile must be pretty risky to initiate such triggers

 

[imported_Mike]

They tried to do the same thing with me. At the beginning of the year, I had 5 figure balances and they got worried that I wouldn't be able to pay. I of course did becuase the purchases were for resale.

They wanted the whole same BS: income statements, tax forms, etc, etc. They then imposed a limit (previously a "no" limit card).

I just switched credit cards for several months. Then back in May or so, I called them up and there wasn't a limit anymore and I could charge away.

 

[Locut0s]

Hardly anyone excepts Amex here so I wouldn't go with them in the first place. Visa or Mastercard FTW.

 

[imported_Mike]

Originally posted by: Locut0s
Hardly anyone accepts Amex here so I wouldn't go with them in the first place. Visa or Mastercard FTW.

I wouldn't say hardly. Most places do accept Amex, but there are several places that certainly do not.

 

[Locut0s]

Originally posted by: Mike

Originally posted by: Locut0s
Hardly anyone accepts Amex here so I wouldn't go with them in the first place. Visa or Mastercard FTW.

I wouldn't say hardly. Most places do accept Amex, but there are several places that certainly do not.

Well I live in Canada so maybe this is more of an issue outside the US? I know from travelling abroad, like in Europe, that outside Canada it's accepted in even fewer places. Seems to me that Visa has the best coverage followed closely by MC. I'll agree I did exaggerate that a bit too.

 

[imported_Mike]

Originally posted by: Locut0s

Originally posted by: Mike

Originally posted by: Locut0s
Hardly anyone accepts Amex here so I wouldn't go with them in the first place. Visa or Mastercard FTW.

I wouldn't say hardly. Most places do accept Amex, but there are several places that certainly do not.

Well I live in Canada so maybe this is more of an issue outside the US? I know from travelling abroad, like in Europe, that outside Canada it's accepted in even fewer places. Seems to me that Visa has the best coverage followed closely by MC. I'll agree I did exaggerate that a bit too.

Yea, in the US, the card isn't a problem for me. When I was in Europe, it was hit or miss, though most of the larger establishments took it. Some of the smaller places only took visa/mc.

 

[Old Hippie]

OP, I had it out with them, and their attitude, over 25 years ago. At that time AE and Diners Club practically had a lock on the whole CC business. It doesn't look like their attitude has changed not-one-bit. :thumbsdown:

Take your business elsewhere.

 

[Mill]

Just wanted to update that I re-opened my Platinum Card. I miss the benefits too much. I'm keeping my other cards closed, and I'll close the Platinum once I get my Citi Chairman's card.

I re-opened the account because they offered me some MR points and sent me a letter asking for my business back. I never completed the Financial Review or gave them the tax documents, and I never will.

 

[Trey22]

Amex pulled my card for supposed late payments, then the next month sent me an offer via mail to be one of their Platinum or whatever members. When I called in, I made sure I talked to the boss's/boss's/boss's/boss before I calmed down. They still don't have me back as a customer and never will.

 

[mrrman]

thats amazing..tell them to screw off

 

[cubby1223]

Originally posted by: Trey22
Amex pulled my card for supposed late payments, then the next month sent me an offer via mail to be one of their Platinum or whatever members. When I called in, I made sure I talked to the boss's/boss's/boss's/boss before I calmed down. They still don't have me back as a customer and never will.

I had a citi platinum mastercard, and one month I forgot about it, so the payment was a few days late - then not two weeks later they automatically upgrade me to the diamond card. Really didn't matter, though, the change is really in name only, I think the difference was so miniscule and didn't apply to me.

I'd have to think that MC/Visa/Discover probably would suspend the account too if purchasing many airline tickets for foreigners, so I can't blame AMEX fully. But it's still good to know that I should decline any favors for foreigners.