Why is American Express Reviewing My Card Application or Suspending My Card?
Many cardholders find themselves in a frustrating situation when their American Express card application is declined or their card is mysteriously suspended. This article aims to provide clarity on the various reasons behind such actions and the steps you can take to resolve the issue.
Common Reasons for Card Suspensions or Rejected Applications
1. Technological Issues: If your card is a Chip n PIN card, the chip may be corrupted, or the plastic sheathing may have deteriorated. This can prevent the card from functioning properly and may lead to it being flagged for review or suspension.
2. Incorrect PIN: If you have entered the wrong PIN incorrectly three times, your card may be temporarily locked or suspended. Incorrect PIN entries are treated as a security measure to protect your account.
3. Contactless Limitations: Contactless transactions are limited to amounts less than ￡50. If a transaction exceeds this limit, you may need to use another method of payment or notify American Express to enable contactless payments.
What if My Card is an Older "Swipe Card"?
If you still have the old “Swipe Card” with the black magnetic stripe at the back, and it has deteriorated or become corrupted, you may experience issues with the card. American Express may require you to replace it with a new card that adheres to current security standards.
Credit Card Misuse
Using the card in a way that violates the terms and conditions can also result in the card being suspended or its application rejected. Such misuse can lead to restrictions on its usage or even cancellation of the card.
Suspicious Transactions and Cloning
If there are suspicious transactions on your card, such as transactions in several countries in a timeframe that would be physically impossible, your card is likely to be flagged for review or suspension. These transactions may indicate that your card has been cloned.
American Express will contact you if suspicious activities are detected. If your card is cloned, they may suspend it and issue a new card with a new account number to ensure security. They will also investigate the verified transactions and transfer them to the new account.
What Should I Do?
The most important step is to contact American Express's fraud and/or Credit Control operations at Customer Services immediately. They can provide detailed information about the reasons for the review or suspension and guide you through the process of getting a new card and account.
It is crucial to inform them as soon as possible, especially if your account has been cloned. This will help them verify transactions and prevent further issues. They will also need to know your current location to ensure that any entries made from that location are valid.
Income and Billing Concerns
Another common reason for a rejected application or card suspension is that American Express may think that you may not be able to pay the card bills. If your income is below what they expect of a card holder, they may deny your application or restrict the usage of your card.
Conclusion
Dealing with American Express card reviews or suspensions can be frustrating, but understanding the reasons behind these actions can help you take the appropriate steps to resolve the issue. Whether it's technical issues, fraud detection, or income concerns, contacting American Express's customer service is always the best course of action.
Keywords: American Express Card Application, Card Suspension, Fraud Detection