Strategy to obtain US Amex

I tried to use my CSP in Singapore earlier this week and it was declined and account suspended for suspected fraud. Just spoke with Chase and they asked to call before 6pm US ET. I'll try to call again this evening (after 8am US ET as I tried to call last night). I'll try again tonight (I was jet lagged last night) and report back on what happens. Is there something I should be aware of before I call Chase tonight based on experiences of other members with this? The agent I just spoke with wouldn't give me much details beyond not to use my card until I had spoken with the fraud team.

I ended up paying with my Citi US card and that got declined too until I went into my app and confirmed they were valid charges. Seems Chase needs a little more than that.

TY in advance for any guidance. I'll report back what happens - expecting it to be to confirm that was really me in SG trying to use my card. Been using it in Italy for the past 2 weeks with no incident. Mostly use my physical card rather than Apple Pay so they'd know it was valid and I had the card on me. I was doing the same in SG. Will I have issues using it now in AU?
 
albyd said:
I tried to use my CSP in Singapore earlier this week and it was declined and account suspended for suspected fraud. Just spoke with Chase and they asked to call before 6pm US ET. I'll try to call again this evening (after 8am US ET as I tried to call last night). I'll try again tonight (I was jet lagged last night) and report back on what happens. Is there something I should be aware of before I call Chase tonight based on experiences of other members with this? The agent I just spoke with wouldn't give me much details beyond not to use my card until I had spoken with the fraud team.
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How long have you had the CSP? Have you had any US based charges?

Don't want to scare you but a standard fraud verification shouldn't require you to call during business hours. They normally can clear it immediately.
 
_TheTraveller_ said:
How long have you had the CSP? Have you had any US based charges?

Don't want to scare you but a standard fraud verification shouldn't require you to call during business hours. They normally can clear it immediately.
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I've had my card since January. Made my application in branch and got approved after I returned to AU. Aside from web-based charges (I think they've only been a couple), all other charges have been in AU, Italy, Malaysia so far. Guessing there will be some questions asked about why that is the case and there haven't ever really been any charges in the US?

Internet banking was also frozen and has been unlocked though with a few days to "review" it.

Had checked in before it got blocked after my SG charge (which was at a Jeweler and higher than my usual charge but was like $S700 so not that large in the grand scheme of things - have put through larger charges before) and was told all was ok. I didn't believe them as Internet access got blocked while I was on that call.
 
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georgie23 said:
I use mine travelling - lots of AU Europe charges but mix in some US ones too
I have seen it mentioned to try to log into app with local IP before using card - no idea if that helps. Had a few fraud blocks on my account but all cleared quickly
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With your US charges, I'm guessing they're online and over the phone or are they "in person" in the US?
 
albyd said:
With your US charges, I'm guessing they're online and over the phone or are they "in person" in the US?
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online / over phone - none in person for me
If you struggle with US purchases can always purchase a refundable hotel room or airfare in USD from a US website and then cancel at a future date - Sometimes can pay on one statement and then cancel at a future date on another statement
 
Hi
According to what I was aware that if adding Free Employee Card - it's also qualify for the bonus - But before I pull the trigger - I am hoping to have the clarification to be sure.
Am I Ok to apply for Free Employee Card for below offer. It's little points but I have not been approved anything from Amex since my last Biz Platinum approved in Nov 2024.
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albyd said:
I've had my card since January. Made my application in branch and got approved after I returned to AU. Aside from web-based charges (I think they've only been a couple), all other charges have been in AU, Italy, Malaysia so far. Guessing there will be some questions asked about why that is the case and there haven't ever really been any charges in the US?

Internet banking was also frozen and has been unlocked though with a few days to "review" it.

Had checked in before it got blocked after my SG charge (which was at a Jeweler and higher than my usual charge but was like $S700 so not that large in the grand scheme of things - have put through larger charges before) and was told all was ok. I didn't believe them as Internet access got blocked while I was on that call.
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What were you purchases in IT, MY? I've actually found that Chase is far more suspicious of physical card fraud than Google Pay/Apple Pay fraud. Complete opposite of Citi.

I have a feeling that your charge in SG at a Jeweler most likely flagged it. Medium size spend on luxury items. Akin to people buying jewellery with a stolen card and looking to offload it.

I don't have any tips but in the past when I was flagged for fraud or had concerns with my cards, they would transfer me to the fraud team and they would unlock my card. My online banking has never been locked.
 
I suppose that you could use Experiences sites like Klook, Viator or Pelago and pay in USD to do stuff here, noting that the exchange rate might not be great. YMMV
 
Realistically, I don't think paying in foreign currency is particularly suspicious. Given so many digital nomads exist they can't be pinging everyone for fraud. It usually is a specific type of spend that triggers such drastic action. I reckon if you purchased item/s that could easily be converted into cash, they would probably flag you for fraud as well.
 
_TheTraveller_ said:
What were you purchases in IT, MY? I've actually found that Chase is far more suspicious of physical card fraud than Google Pay/Apple Pay fraud. Complete opposite of Citi.
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Most purchases in IT were dining. I was nervous about using it for a €700 dining charge in IT and it went through.

I can’t recall what I bought in MY but used my Citi card for most charges. Most of the charges were for Grab rides (they’re very cheap in $A compared to uber in AU or even grab in SG. I needed to use an OTP each and every time I ordered a Grab in MY with Citi so I’m guessing MY (or Grab in MY) are flagged as potential fraud.

I went with the physical card as I’d used ApplePay for a large purchase at Office Works in AU before getting my physical card & all my accounts were locked and I was told they’d only be unlocked if I went into a branch. That wasn’t viable as I was back in AU by then. I called the branch and the agent there remembered me & got my accounts unlocked.
 
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albyd said:
Most purchases in IT were dining. I was nervous about using it for a €700 dining charge in IT and it went through.

I can’t recall what I bought in MY but used my Citi card for most charges. Most of the charges were for Grab rides (they’re very cheap in $A compared to uber in AU or even grab in SG. I needed to use an OTP each and every time I ordered a Grab in MY with Citi so I’m guessing MY (or Grab in MY) are flagged as potential fraud.

I went with the physical card as I’d used ApplePay for a large purchase at Office Works in AU before getting my physical card & all my accounts were locked and I was told they’d only be unlocked if I went into a branch. That wasn’t viable as I was back in AU by then. I called the branch and the agent there remembered me & got my accounts unlocked.
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Yeah spending before activating your physical cards is a big no no. Esp intl spend. I'll curious to see what your resolution looks likes.
 
velli25 said:
Still no card received. Called up Chase and asked options as I felt a new card delivered to myUS may be another 1-2 weeks and then further postage times to Aus. Initially told 30 days for international shipping, requested expedited and they managed to confirm 7 days shipped to Aus.
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My Chase card got delivered yesterday! 3 day turn around time!!
 
I was away for a while, is there something happening TO Las Vegas Address? Amex told me it is flagged as USPS Address hence he could not use that address to send me the card. Been trying different without APT and PMB , not successful
 

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