Aren't some risk factors well-established, though, like buying GCs to reach an Amex signup bonus? Maybe not 100% of cards will get shut down, but we can still identify patterns. Paying certain CCs with Walmart Bill Pay or with an account that isn't in your name, depositing lots of MOs at the bank that issues your card, spending more than your credit limit by recycling with mid-statement payments, and other activities seem to be regular shutdown triggers at certain banks.