Nov 10, 2013, 11:26 am
Last edit by: mcdullhk88
Dead as of 10/13/14
FAQ's
Is Amazon Payments treated as a cash advance? No CC issuer has been reported as treating an AP transaction as a cash advance unless the sender selected "Payment is for Cash Advance" on the Send Money screen.
What does it mean when your payment is "pending"? Your payment will be reviewed. We are unsure whether this review is done by a human or computer. It should take less than 24 hours but is usually within minutes.
How should you describe your payment? "Goods or services" will allow you to charge with a CC and it will not be treated as a cash advance. Note: If you choose cash advance, it may be treated as such by your CC issuer; always choose Goods/Services. There is no reason to put anything in the optional description field - leave it blank.
What is the monthly limit for sending CC payments? $1,000 per calendar month per AP account
What is the monthly limit for receiving CC payments? $1,000 per calendar month per AP account
What if it is not allowing me to send/receive more than $500 or any at all? You probably have not verified your bank and/or added a CC. In order to get the full $1,000 allowance for sending and receiving you must have a bank verified AND a CC added to your account as a payment method.
Does AP qualify for special spending categories? Specifically it qualifies for Discover's (usually 4th quarter) category of online purchases but so far, not Chase's "5% CB on Amazon.com purchases." Refer to thread for other options.
Can you get shutdown? Yes.
How do you get shutdown? No one knows. Anecdotes are found throughout the thread. Some suspicious behavior that MIGHT get your AP account(s) shut down is listed below.
Which transaction is most advisable? A -> B -> C -> A (see here)
Are any fees charged during this process? No, not by Amazon Payments. If your transaction is treated as a cash advance by your card issuer--fees are possible. Beware and always double check that goods/services is selected!
Can you liquidate Amazon GC via AP? NO!
Can you liquidate other gift cards via AP? Yes. Note that you cannot liquidate the full value of a GC because amazon places a $1 hold while it verifies the validity of the GC. You can sometimes (not always) avoid the hold by entering an incorrect expiration date for the GC when adding it to your AP account, and after you have added it, go to "Edit my account settings," then to "Add edit or delete my credit cards" and edit the expiration date there.
When does the month end? It appears as if Amazon is on pacific time, so midnight PDT/PST is when the month resets.
It bears repeating that no one knows the methodology amazon uses to police AP transactions, determines which transactions violate its T&Cs, or identifies violators. However, various people in this thread and elsewhere have confirmed that their AP account(s) were shut down for the following reasons:
Additionally, we have updated the terms and conditions of our User Agreement (https://payments.amazon.com/help/Personal-Accounts/User-Agreement-Policies/User-Agreement) that apply to your use of the products and services provided by Amazon Payments. Our updated User Agreement revises certain terms (including, among other things, the elimination of person-to-person payments). Our new User Agreement will become effective on October 13, 2014, which is more than 30 days from when we first posted our updated User Agreement. By continuing to use our services after October 13, 2014, you are agreeing to be bound by the terms and conditions of our new User Agreement.
Is Amazon Payments treated as a cash advance? No CC issuer has been reported as treating an AP transaction as a cash advance unless the sender selected "Payment is for Cash Advance" on the Send Money screen.
What does it mean when your payment is "pending"? Your payment will be reviewed. We are unsure whether this review is done by a human or computer. It should take less than 24 hours but is usually within minutes.
How should you describe your payment? "Goods or services" will allow you to charge with a CC and it will not be treated as a cash advance. Note: If you choose cash advance, it may be treated as such by your CC issuer; always choose Goods/Services. There is no reason to put anything in the optional description field - leave it blank.
What is the monthly limit for sending CC payments? $1,000 per calendar month per AP account
What is the monthly limit for receiving CC payments? $1,000 per calendar month per AP account
What if it is not allowing me to send/receive more than $500 or any at all? You probably have not verified your bank and/or added a CC. In order to get the full $1,000 allowance for sending and receiving you must have a bank verified AND a CC added to your account as a payment method.
Does AP qualify for special spending categories? Specifically it qualifies for Discover's (usually 4th quarter) category of online purchases but so far, not Chase's "5% CB on Amazon.com purchases." Refer to thread for other options.
Can you get shutdown? Yes.
How do you get shutdown? No one knows. Anecdotes are found throughout the thread. Some suspicious behavior that MIGHT get your AP account(s) shut down is listed below.
Which transaction is most advisable? A -> B -> C -> A (see here)
Are any fees charged during this process? No, not by Amazon Payments. If your transaction is treated as a cash advance by your card issuer--fees are possible. Beware and always double check that goods/services is selected!
Can you liquidate Amazon GC via AP? NO!
Can you liquidate other gift cards via AP? Yes. Note that you cannot liquidate the full value of a GC because amazon places a $1 hold while it verifies the validity of the GC. You can sometimes (not always) avoid the hold by entering an incorrect expiration date for the GC when adding it to your AP account, and after you have added it, go to "Edit my account settings," then to "Add edit or delete my credit cards" and edit the expiration date there.
When does the month end? It appears as if Amazon is on pacific time, so midnight PDT/PST is when the month resets.
It bears repeating that no one knows the methodology amazon uses to police AP transactions, determines which transactions violate its T&Cs, or identifies violators. However, various people in this thread and elsewhere have confirmed that their AP account(s) were shut down for the following reasons:
- Associating one credit card number with more than one AP account (Be Careful if authorized user card has the same number as the primary card holder - in some instances the CC numbers are completely different)
- Associating one bank account with more than one AP account
Amazon Payments
Dec 24, 2012, 8:42 pm
#1126
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 308
Is it alright to have two accounts under my name, say A1 and A2, and one account under my friend's name, say B, and do:
A1 -> B -> A2 ?
Dec 24, 2012, 9:52 pm
#1127
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,689
I would say 2 accounts with same SS# tranferring $ between them (even in the listed scenario above) would have a great chance of getting shut down, but I am no pro at AP (in fact, quite new to the idea, but still would not suggest you try this).
Dec 24, 2012, 11:58 pm
#1128
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 6
I was shut down. It can be classified as purchasing fraud especially if the cc fees are paid by amazon payments. Read the user agreement and prohibited transactions page. They can not only close your acct, but recharge you the charges made with fees and fines.
Dec 25, 2012, 1:07 am
#1129
Join Date: May 2012
Location: New England
Programs: DL PM, HH Gold, the rest come and go
Posts: 313
Just created a test account, site does not appear to be functional, at least for P2P payments. They paid $13M to the FBI in asset forfeitures recently, apparently they were handling credit card transactions for Poker Super Stars. I would tentatively say this is not a company that normal people should be doing large financial transactions with.
Dec 25, 2012, 9:25 am
#1130
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: NYC
Posts: 398
Doubt so if you have a static IP. As far as what I've personally tried with Comcast and learning from school. Best to just go to a university or public library and use their IP or do it at the airport. I sent a payment to myself but never accepted it because i realized I had not thought it through well enough to prevent being banned. I need to add an authorized user first on a card and make a new Amazon account on that card name (possibly my middle name transposed into my first name). But I'm not too sure how well that will work when trying to attach the bank account with my First name on that bank account. Amazon subsequently paid back the $500 back to my CitiCard of which they deducted 500 miles out of my account.
Dec 25, 2012, 9:26 am
#1131
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: NYC
Posts: 398
link?
Dec 25, 2012, 9:56 am
#1132
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Fort Myers, FL
Programs: Hilton Gold, SPG & IHG Plat, & every airline program that I can join
Posts: 2,279
Just created a test account, site does not appear to be functional, at least for P2P payments. They paid $13M to the FBI in asset forfeitures recently, apparently they were handling credit card transactions for Poker Super Stars. I would tentatively say this is not a company that normal people should be doing large financial transactions with.
JudyJFLA
Dec 25, 2012, 4:11 pm
#1133
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 308
How long does it take for the withdrew fund to appear in your checking accounts? Anyone share some data points (time and bank name)? Thanks!
Also, if my account gets shut down and it still has $700 fund in it, will I be able to withdraw the fund?
Also, if my account gets shut down and it still has $700 fund in it, will I be able to withdraw the fund?
Dec 25, 2012, 5:13 pm
#1136
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Fairfield County, CT USA
Programs: AA PLT+2MM / DL DM+1MM / A3 *G / Fairmont LT Plat / Ritz Gold / SPG Gold
Posts: 4,077
What part about capitalizing a new company do you propose to be illegal?
Exactly.
What in the world is "purchasing fraud?"
Can you fund a shell company using revolving credit.
For example, set up a shell company/LLC. Instead of transferring cash into Owner's equity/assets of said shell company, I would use credit cards to fund it such as sending the shell company payments through amazon as purchases or getting revolving credit loans from banks/P2P lending sites. Once the money transfer goes through, the purchase shows up on the credit cards (to reach max spend for miles) and I would then dissolve the shell company, take the assets back and pay off the credit card bills/loans.
I know this is border line purchasing fraud, but in the end the credit card company gets paid back- every one gets paid back except I get the x amount of miles. Thus, no fraud because nothing was stolen (unless I am overlooking some precedence on miles theft).
Again, is there a legal way to use a shell company/LLc to reach not only spending requirements but maximum amount of miles reached (depending on how big your revolving credit limit is)?
For example, set up a shell company/LLC. Instead of transferring cash into Owner's equity/assets of said shell company, I would use credit cards to fund it such as sending the shell company payments through amazon as purchases or getting revolving credit loans from banks/P2P lending sites. Once the money transfer goes through, the purchase shows up on the credit cards (to reach max spend for miles) and I would then dissolve the shell company, take the assets back and pay off the credit card bills/loans.
I know this is border line purchasing fraud, but in the end the credit card company gets paid back- every one gets paid back except I get the x amount of miles. Thus, no fraud because nothing was stolen (unless I am overlooking some precedence on miles theft).
Again, is there a legal way to use a shell company/LLc to reach not only spending requirements but maximum amount of miles reached (depending on how big your revolving credit limit is)?
Dec 25, 2012, 5:19 pm
#1137
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Fairfield County, CT USA
Programs: AA PLT+2MM / DL DM+1MM / A3 *G / Fairmont LT Plat / Ritz Gold / SPG Gold
Posts: 4,077
Fines? Amazon is now in a quasi-governmental role and assessing fines??
Dec 25, 2012, 5:22 pm
#1138
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Fairfield County, CT USA
Programs: AA PLT+2MM / DL DM+1MM / A3 *G / Fairmont LT Plat / Ritz Gold / SPG Gold
Posts: 4,077
Amazon is not in the business of seizing your money. They may not be prompt, but you'll get it refunded somewhere between weeks and months from now. If you keenly need the cash now, call your card company and say AZ is refunding $700; your card issuer will give you a conditional credit.
Dec 25, 2012, 5:46 pm
#1139
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 323
I think this refers to the part where they select "Purchase of goods or services" instead of "Cash advance". This way, Amazon will eat the fee as a way to promote use of the service. They want you to use it for actual trade between different entities (e.g., accept it on your web site)--not to fund your new company (I guess you may do that, though, if you select cash advance)
Disclaimer: IANAL, TINLA
Disclaimer: IANAL, TINLA
Dec 25, 2012, 6:09 pm
#1140
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 308
Amazon is not in the business of seizing your money. They may not be prompt, but you'll get it refunded somewhere between weeks and months from now. If you keenly need the cash now, call your card company and say AZ is refunding $700; your card issuer will give you a conditional credit.
.