American Express - black file reset

madein83

rtho782 wrote: »

There is a way around it.

1. Default on AMEX card, go bankrupt, etc
2. Finish your bankruptcy and become discharged
3. Move house
4. Wait at least 8 years for the address link to vanish, verify this by looking at your credit report with all CRAs. Do not apply for an Amex card until there is no link or you must return to step 3 and wait another 8 years.
5. Apply for Amex card, they will not know you are the same person as the person that defaulted.

This involves 8+ years of waiting, possibly up to 11+ years, as every application you make for a non-amex card in the first 3 years or so of residence of your new address may form an additional link that will stay for 8 years.

I recently established credit history in the US, that has no link to my current address. Just my tax number over there.

I'll try that, once the file is mature enough.

madein83

Anthorn wrote: »

I'm not struggling with the concept.

Oh yes a blacklist is illegal according to the Data Protection Act if it's a secret and they don't supply information about it when asked as I have already explained and supplied proof.

You disagree and provide an alternative view which has no basis in law or if it does you do not provide proof.

What remains is how the OP knows about a blacklist if Amex have not told him or anyone else about it.

I don't know that there's such a thing as a 'blacklist'. I didn't receive a single reply from Amex, so who knows. I'm just going off of other forum posts that use the same word.

That was kinda the point of my post.

madein83

Anthorn wrote: »

This thread now amuses me lol and it is pretty much evident that the Opening Post is pure fantasy.

Huh?

There's nothing fantasy about it.

I opened a card. I defaulted. I paid the reduced offer. 7 years later, I still get declined, with a follow-up letter that says words to the effect of "you shafted us before, we don't trust you next time".

My question is: How long will this continue for? Forever? A set limit?

The term "blacklist" is just one I'm using colloquially because I saw others (mostly in the US) use it. I don't know if it's a blacklist, per se. It's some kind of data, because they are using it to automatically decline me even before it gets to a credit check stage (I see no footprints on my file).

My question still stands --

Will this always be the case, or will I eventually get accepted?

The other poster saying they got accepted 8 years later is encouraging. So is the fact that I have a US credit file that is building. Maybe that's a route in - or maybe it's global, and their Big Data policies can match the two up. Dunno. Was just hoping someone here might have had some experience that could shed light..

No bother way - didn't mean to cause an argument about Data Protection law :-)

Anthorn

madein83 wrote: »

I recently established credit history in the US, that has no link to my current address. Just my tax number over there.

I'll try that, once the file is mature enough.

Won't work: American Express records are international which they hint at in their blurb when they say who the provider is. It's in USA.

madein83

Anthorn wrote: »

Won't work: American Express records are international which they hint at in their blurb when they say who the provider is. It's in USA.

It might not, but might be worth a shot anyway.

How would Amex know that I'm the same person 5,000 miles away? The US application has a US tax number and US address. Literally the only thing linking me is my first and last name, of which Amex must already have 5,000 customers with identical credentials.

Anthorn

madein83 wrote: »

It might not, but might be worth a shot anyway.

How would Amex know that I'm the same person 5,000 miles away? The US application has a US tax number and US address. Literally the only thing linking me is my first and last name, of which Amex must already have 5,000 customers with identical credentials.

To start with you wouldn't have a USA credit file and in any case USA residency would be too short and if you give your UK address as a previous address they will know that from your credit history. Remember that international bit?

madein83

Anthorn wrote: »

To start with you wouldn't have a USA credit file and in any case USA residency would be too short and if you give your UK address as a previous address they will know that from your credit history. Remember that international bit?

No, I do have a US credit file. I have a US credit card.

That's my point.

SLZ

Anthorn wrote: »

To start with you wouldn't have a USA credit file and in any case USA residency would be too short and if you give your UK address as a previous address they will know that from your credit history. Remember that international bit?

It's not hard to build up an US credit profile, as long as you open an account in person with a US address attached (family member or friend's is fine) and provide your ITIN at opening you can usually build up a history if you opt for a secured credit card (I did mine with BoA) and after 6-12 months of solid payments, you can apply for a better card.

I got my Virgin Atlantic card that way, haven't tried AMEX or any other provider though. I do agree that the blacklist is international but it is worth a shot by OP to see if he can get it that way and then transfer it to the UK.

madein83

SLZ wrote: »

It's not hard to build up an US credit profile, as long as you open an account in person with a US address attached (family member or friend's is fine) and provide your ITIN at opening you can usually build up a history if you opt for a secured credit card (I did mine with BoA) and after 6-12 months of solid payments, you can apply for a better card.

I got my Virgin Atlantic card that way, haven't tried AMEX or any other provider though. I do agree that the blacklist is international but it is worth a shot by OP to see if he can get it that way and then transfer it to the UK.

Exactly the same thing I did - though I'm still on the 'building' phase. Will give Amex US a shot ~6 months from now. It takes a few months to get a FICO score attached to an ITIN.

madein83

To follow up on this...

I got denied being added as a supplementary card holder on my partner's account. Looks like the 'denial list' extends to any kind of association.

Last shot will be the American route...