RIP Redbird... Fun while it lasted
#46
Join Date: Jul 2001
Programs: Marriott LT Tit; Hyatt Explorist; Hilton CC Gold; IHG CC Plt; Hertz (MR) 5 star
Posts: 5,536
It just may be easier for them to see the repeated $1000, $1000, $500 loads if they are searching for customers abusing the system. Although people loading $856.78 + $724.92 +$918.30 (for example) may take longer to find for Amex, the fact is that they're still loading $2,500 total and most likely $5,000 for the month. I think it depends more on the rapid unloading of the card. I will start loading and then unloading after waiting some time in different amounts and hopefully won't get shutdown.
#47
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Madison, WI, USA
Posts: 14,162
They merely mention that the size of the loads and quick withdrawals match. I doubt the loads were what brought poster to their attention, though. I think most people would just naturally load in even amounts, although likely smaller than $1000.
#48
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: CCR
Posts: 326
Damn AMEX just won't let us have our "free" easy money, first Blue Cash shutdowns, now Redbird. I think I am ripe for a shutdown based on my loading/unloading patterns, oh well, it was fun while it lasted! Fingers Crossed
#49
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 197
Nobody knows why his account got flagged. When loading legitimately with actual cash even loads are FAR more likely than uneven loads. It makes no sense for them to flag loads based on even number amounts.
#50
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Sacramento
Programs: RR, QS, AS MP, SPG
Posts: 233
Not trying to be pessimistic.... But what are your back up MS methods in case that your RB gets cancelled?
#51
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 100
I would suggest that the loading of an amount such as $840.76 is much more suspicious than the loading of an amount such as $800.
#52
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: LAX
Programs: AA, TY, UR, UA, US, WN, MR, SPG
Posts: 1,453
I'm not trying to be snippy, but this forum is full of data on MS methods.
The biggest question IMO is whether this is a shutdown by SSN of the PLATFORM by AMEX...i.e. you can't go back to Serve/BB.
That would be heartbreaking.
#53
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 1
First time poster, long time lurker. Just posting a copy of the text in the email since I'm on my phone.
Hello Thomas,
We are writing to you today regarding your Target Prepaid REDcard Account.
During a recent review, we have noticed several instances of unusual/irregular activity on your Target Prepaid REDcard Account.
Repeated suspicious activity on your account has been documented as follows:
Withdrawals and/or bill pays equal to the account balance immediately following "Cash" Reloads
American Express and Target have determined that you are not using this account for its intended purposes and have deemed your relationship with us unsatisfactory. Your account has been closed effective immediately and a check for the balance of your account will be sent to the address on file within 60-90 days.
You are not eligible to reopen another Target Prepaid REDcard Account.
If you have any questions or concerns, please call Account Protection Services at 1-800-555-4318.
Thanks,
Target Prepaid REDcard by American Express Fraud Protection Team
Hello Thomas,
We are writing to you today regarding your Target Prepaid REDcard Account.
During a recent review, we have noticed several instances of unusual/irregular activity on your Target Prepaid REDcard Account.
Repeated suspicious activity on your account has been documented as follows:
Withdrawals and/or bill pays equal to the account balance immediately following "Cash" Reloads
American Express and Target have determined that you are not using this account for its intended purposes and have deemed your relationship with us unsatisfactory. Your account has been closed effective immediately and a check for the balance of your account will be sent to the address on file within 60-90 days.
You are not eligible to reopen another Target Prepaid REDcard Account.
If you have any questions or concerns, please call Account Protection Services at 1-800-555-4318.
Thanks,
Target Prepaid REDcard by American Express Fraud Protection Team
#54
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 13
To me the key takeaway from that letter is that they "have deemed the relationship to be unsatisfactory". To me that means that we have to use the Redbird card in a way that it is profitable for them or at least that they see the potential for it to become profitable in the future.
Same as the MS with Ink and the Chase shutdowns. If you do nothing but 5x spend, they will shut you down eventually.
Same as the MS with Ink and the Chase shutdowns. If you do nothing but 5x spend, they will shut you down eventually.
#55
Join Date: Jul 2001
Programs: Marriott LT Tit; Hyatt Explorist; Hilton CC Gold; IHG CC Plt; Hertz (MR) 5 star
Posts: 5,536
One was: "Repeated suspicious activity on your account has been documented as follows:
Register "Cash" Reloads in $1000 or $500 increments"
It doesn't get much clearer than that.
Target/AmEx/Chase disagree with you. But feel free to continue with round number loading.
#56
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Melbourne, Florida, USA
Posts: 2,978
Could someone please create a wiki and post all of the reasons from people's letters?
#57
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Salt Lake City, UT
Programs: AAdvantage Platinum, DL Diamond 1MM, Hyatt Platinum, SPG Gold, Hilton Diamond, AMEX 2015 Centurion
Posts: 323
People need to use RB more responsibly! Pay your bills, shop at target and adds some regular spend...use the card as it was intended. Is it so darn necessary for people to load the card and BP credit card companies for the same amount? Hate to sound like a downer however, you are not profitable if you are doing this. No surprise to me why the OP was shutdown.
Last edited by RickyBobby; Mar 4, 2015 at 1:40 pm
#58
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 11
It seems that using common sense will (at least temporarily) avoid the shutdown experienced by the two people who have so far posted their e-mails in this thread.
#59
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 97
It just may be easier for them to see the repeated $1000, $1000, $500 loads if they are searching for customers abusing the system. Although people loading $856.78 + $724.92 +$918.30 (for example) may take longer to find for Amex, the fact is that they're still loading $2,500 total and most likely $5,000 for the month. I think it depends more on the rapid unloading of the card. I will start loading and then unloading after waiting some time in different amounts and hopefully won't get shutdown.
I agree with the rapid unloading.
When you think about how they can possibly make money with this product (I can't really figure out how as it is so easy to abuse), their plan must be for people to carry a balance, visit Target stores more often and increase their spend at Target.
People who load the card and immediately drain it without spending anything at Target certainly do not create any profit.
So my guess would be that it is all about how you spend/drain not how you fund.
When you think about how they can possibly make money with this product (I can't really figure out how as it is so easy to abuse), their plan must be for people to carry a balance, visit Target stores more often and increase their spend at Target.
People who load the card and immediately drain it without spending anything at Target certainly do not create any profit.
So my guess would be that it is all about how you spend/drain not how you fund.
#60
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 197
Are you serious? Did you read the letter. It states EXACTLY why his account was flagged. Two reasons.
One was: "Repeated suspicious activity on your account has been documented as follows:
Register "Cash" Reloads in $1000 or $500 increments"
It doesn't get much clearer than that.
Target/AmEx/Chase disagree with you. But feel free to continue with round number loading.
One was: "Repeated suspicious activity on your account has been documented as follows:
Register "Cash" Reloads in $1000 or $500 increments"
It doesn't get much clearer than that.
Target/AmEx/Chase disagree with you. But feel free to continue with round number loading.
It means that one thing they look for are loads of exactly the load limits available.
It also states that he was immediately withdrawing in the same amounts, and the other poster above just got shut down for the same thing with no mention of even loads.
Stop pretending you are an inside man at AmEx and know definitively why this happened.