Bluebird Shutdowns
#496
Join Date: May 2015
Location: DCA
Programs: AA EXP, DL FO, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 6,709
So has anyone who still has an open BB been shutdown yet? If it looks like Amex is going to send out closure notices in waves rather than individually, I'm going to max out while I still can. Figure I have a few weeks left at most anyway.
#497
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: US CP, DL GM, AA Plat
Posts: 729
Are you saying it's not a crime to purposely use a wrong SSN?
#499
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,944
We used the features of the card as allowed. If Amex was stupid enough to allow loads of $5,000 per month, they can't call that unusual - it is exactly what was going to happen. As a said in my earlier post, if companies are going to keep setting these up for us to use, then we are going to use those features - simple as that. If the company is going to "hope" that feature of the cards are not used, then don't give the card those features. Or, if there needs to be some trade-off, specifically state how you earn the ability to use the other features - then members can decide if it works for them.
#500
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: US CP, DL GM, AA Plat
Posts: 729
#501
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 29,731
Hospital would have the info when file insurance claims. They will see if the SSN really belongs to you the patient who has the claims or the SSN belongs to another patient.
#502
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: RDU
Programs: Marriott Gold Elite, Hyatt Explorist, AA, Delta, Southwest CP, Citi Prestige, MLife Platinum
Posts: 102
Or they can just put the product out there, find out what they don't like, and then in effect close the cards of users who have patterns they object to. Part of the problem is that they may not know in advance how it can be "abused". and spelling out the rules probably creates more issues with people asking for clarification, objecting etc. Easier just to invoke we can change/close at any time.
#503
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 279
So I happened to sign up for BB right as these shutdowns happened and thus I had no loads on it. From what I've read, people who used BB to pay their CC bill were targeted. If this is true, would a better strategy be to simply keep your money in BB?
I guess what I'm saying is, for those of us with enough cash to pay off the CC bill, is it a good idea to keep loading BB up for as long as possible (I guess until you're shutdown) and only then transfer all your funds to a linked savings account on BB? Seems like it is a lot more suspicious to have load in / pay out every month.
I'm sure someone has thought of this already but I couldn't find info about it..
thanks.
I guess what I'm saying is, for those of us with enough cash to pay off the CC bill, is it a good idea to keep loading BB up for as long as possible (I guess until you're shutdown) and only then transfer all your funds to a linked savings account on BB? Seems like it is a lot more suspicious to have load in / pay out every month.
I'm sure someone has thought of this already but I couldn't find info about it..
thanks.
#504
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: MDW
Programs: WN (CP 6x, A+ 2x), Marriott (LT Titanium), Hyatt Explorer, Hertz PC, UA/*A Silver
Posts: 425
[QUOTE=Steve in Olympia;26028113]
Getting the evil eye and Columbo treatment from nervous Nellie hardly seems like a formal warning from AmEx. Granted, loading at multiple registers can seem suspicious depending on the exact circumstances.
Originally Posted by [B
BillyBaloney[/B];26027687]I don't think that I did (manufactured spending). Plus it is kind of ridiculous to change "the rules" and then a few days later all these people get shut down. The term "unusual" is highly subjective and not defined. If they didn't like how things were going, they could have warned us and told us what we did that was "unusual" and to stop doing it.[/rQUOTE]
I am glad that no one ever warned you that you were doing anything "unusual." As you posted on Dec. 10:
"When I load VGC to BB at WM I usually do several, and go to a different register or the money center. I've been doing it this way for over two years - and recently I had a nervous cashier. She watched me and saw that I went to another register and loaded. Then she watched me some more and saw that I went to the money center (I was not aware that she was watching me this whole time).
She wrote something on a paper and passed it to the lady at the money center. All of a sudden I'm getting questioned "why am I going to more than one register..." I didn't have a good answer so I said that it was because I didn't want to hold up the line...
The lady at the money center let me load anyway, and instructed me that I'm only to go there (no register) and to "do it all at one time." How should I proceed after the Nervous Nellie incident? Limit myself to one load per visit and that's that? Has anyone else had this happen? If you do multiple loads, what is your reason (that you can tell them) for doing so?"
And now you are shocked (shocked!) that you have been shut down!
If only they had warned you......
I am glad that no one ever warned you that you were doing anything "unusual." As you posted on Dec. 10:
"When I load VGC to BB at WM I usually do several, and go to a different register or the money center. I've been doing it this way for over two years - and recently I had a nervous cashier. She watched me and saw that I went to another register and loaded. Then she watched me some more and saw that I went to the money center (I was not aware that she was watching me this whole time).
She wrote something on a paper and passed it to the lady at the money center. All of a sudden I'm getting questioned "why am I going to more than one register..." I didn't have a good answer so I said that it was because I didn't want to hold up the line...
The lady at the money center let me load anyway, and instructed me that I'm only to go there (no register) and to "do it all at one time." How should I proceed after the Nervous Nellie incident? Limit myself to one load per visit and that's that? Has anyone else had this happen? If you do multiple loads, what is your reason (that you can tell them) for doing so?"
And now you are shocked (shocked!) that you have been shut down!
If only they had warned you......
#505
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 2,805
[QUOTE=illinidad;26035051]
Getting the evil eye and Columbo treatment from nervous Nellie hardly seems like a formal warning from AmEx. Granted, loading at multiple registers can seem suspicious depending on the exact circumstances.
There is one, very simple rule: If you have to make up stories to tell the Walmart clerks, then you have officially forfeited your right to be surprised when your card gets cancelled.
We all knew that we were bending the rules.
My card was cancelled. I am neither shocked, surprised, nor outraged. It was fun while it lasted. Thank you, Amex, for the memories ... and the miles.
Originally Posted by ;26028113
Getting the evil eye and Columbo treatment from nervous Nellie hardly seems like a formal warning from AmEx. Granted, loading at multiple registers can seem suspicious depending on the exact circumstances.
We all knew that we were bending the rules.
My card was cancelled. I am neither shocked, surprised, nor outraged. It was fun while it lasted. Thank you, Amex, for the memories ... and the miles.
#506
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 1,207
I see reading comprehension isn't your strong suit so I'll break it down for you....
Part of fraud law is intent. Did you intend to provide the wrong social security number? In the case of the hospital, its pretty obvious that a incorrectly written number and the motive to avoid bills shows pretty good intent to defraud. After all, unless you are dyslexic its pretty hard to "typo" a written number.
Moving back to serve/bb applications, they would have to show intent that you purposefully mistyped your ssn in an attempt to defraud them for it to be a crime. If you are off significantly, then obviously yes, intent. If you are off by a number because your finger slipped and you didn't notice it? Much much harder to prove intent. Unless of course you come in here asking about "hey what if" and then they have all the proof they need.
Again, all a moot point since amex will need the correct ssn to approve your application.
Part of fraud law is intent. Did you intend to provide the wrong social security number? In the case of the hospital, its pretty obvious that a incorrectly written number and the motive to avoid bills shows pretty good intent to defraud. After all, unless you are dyslexic its pretty hard to "typo" a written number.
Moving back to serve/bb applications, they would have to show intent that you purposefully mistyped your ssn in an attempt to defraud them for it to be a crime. If you are off significantly, then obviously yes, intent. If you are off by a number because your finger slipped and you didn't notice it? Much much harder to prove intent. Unless of course you come in here asking about "hey what if" and then they have all the proof they need.
Again, all a moot point since amex will need the correct ssn to approve your application.
#507
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 1,677
After thinking about it, I don't consider that unusual. I'm allowed to load up to $2500 per day. How I go about that task is my business. I went to a different line so as not to hold up the people behind me. It's called common courtesy.
#508
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 1,677
[QUOTE=Steve in Olympia;26035208]So now you have me "making up stories" to tell the Walmart clerks. I did nothing of the sort. Stop putting words in my mouth. Go back to Olympia. I said that it was because I didn't want to hold up the line... - this was a true statement.
#509
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 2,805
[QUOTE=BillyBaloney;26037324]
I said that you were "making up stories" because that is what you told us on Dec. 10:
"All of a sudden I'm getting questioned "why am I going to more than one register..." I didn't have a good answer so I said that it was because I didn't want to hold up the line... If you do multiple loads, what is your reason (that you can tell them) for doing so? "
And now you are surprised that Amex suspended your card.
I said that you were "making up stories" because that is what you told us on Dec. 10:
"All of a sudden I'm getting questioned "why am I going to more than one register..." I didn't have a good answer so I said that it was because I didn't want to hold up the line... If you do multiple loads, what is your reason (that you can tell them) for doing so? "
And now you are surprised that Amex suspended your card.
#510
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 1,677
No Steve in Olympia, I did not say that I was "making up stories." Stop putting words in my mouth. Go find someone else to pick on.
Also, don't pretend to understand or to even know how I reacted - when I found out about my shutdown. You know absolutely nothing.
Also, don't pretend to understand or to even know how I reacted - when I found out about my shutdown. You know absolutely nothing.