Strategy to obtain US Amex

[blacksultan]

Canadians are luckier than us. Their passport office can certify a true copy for something like $50 which can be used at IRS. Australian one wouldn't do it for me. I'm not sure about now but if you can get the passport office to certify it, it will work as IRS requires the certification from the issuing agency. If you can get the passport certified, you don't even need their service.



I was quite lucky doing it when the Amazon royalty income method still worked and the US consulate certified my passport. Heard it didn't work these days. You can check w-7 instructions and see if you can make one of those in exception tables work. I think it is much easier to just get CAA to do it. It costs 3-4 times more but you will definitely get it. Even with Amazon method in the past, I heard some people had to do it like 3 to 4 times. I was lucky and got it on my first try.

A cheaper way is if you happen to be in the US, go to IRS in person. Or send your passport by mail which is quite risky even if you use an exiring one.

Do you mean to say if you have a Thai passport and the consulate in a melbpurne certifies it , that’s most of the process done for you ?

Post automatically merged: Wednesday at 6:38 PM

Was anyone able to get their first Chase Business card expedited to Aus? I have 2 Chase Personal cards and was approved for Ink Cash yesterday. Asked for card to be expedited and was transferred to fraud and verified successfully using questions and OTP text to Tello but they still won't expedite it overseas. Is this a case of HUACA or is it some kind of Chase rule for each category of Credit card that they must be sent to physical US address first?

I had my first ink sent to oz directly a few weeks ago .

 

[georgie23]

Did you have to wait long for your call to be answered? And did you call during US business hours? I think calls outside of US business hours are handled by their Indian call centres.

maybe - I can't remember - maybe I will try during US business hours and see how I go - it was a pretty quick no we can't help you, you need to send in this

Post automatically merged: Wednesday at 7:03 PM

I'm still half hearted. I like that I can use my Australian address for priority pass and get the physical card. I find digital one not that convenient at some places but I still have 6 other PP accounts AUs are free and get their own PP as well. Then that $300 credit, I tried to book qantas domestic and and it was $40 more expensive for $200 flight. Hotels are more expensive as well so maybe I get about $250 value which makes it $145 ($95+$50) for 10,000 anniversary bonus points. Still not sure if it's a good card to have. This will be my 3rd renewal too and still not much change in benefits.



That happened to me maybe in 2020/21 and it went nowhere after faxing ITIN and ID. Then 2022, I signed up again with a new email (I did about 4 times ) and one or 2 questions applied to me and I got in.

yes it seems a bit of a luck of the draw as to the questions you get asked - if they happen to relate to you it seems like it might be a win - might try with incognito and see how i go too

 

[Finale]

Do you mean to say if you have a Thai passport and the consulate in a melbpurne certifies it , that’s most of the process done for you ?

Post automatically merged: Wednesday at 6:38 PM

I had my first ink sent to oz directly a few weeks ago .

The issue is US consulates will certify it if you tick box a/h on w-7 form. You will pretty much need a document to support it. For example, in my case, rotalty income. I used Amazon premade letter saying I would be earning some royalty income (which I heard did not work now). It was pretty funny as well as the signature on that letter was from the guy who no loner worked for Amazon I tried to go the bank interest route before but the bank didn't understand what document I needed. (I needed the bank to issue a letter saying I would be earning interest that was subject to withholding with their official letterhead)

If you tick box b (Nonresident alien filing a U.S. federal tax return) which is what these CAAs do to get ITIN for you, the consulate won't certify it. This box b is the easier as you can just make up the income you earn without having to send any extra document to IRS.

IRS will accept the passport that is certified from the issuing agency so if you can get the Australian passport office to certify it, you can use box b without having to go through CAAs or visit IRS in person.

Actually last year, Canadian passport office stopped embossing the letter causing quite a bit of an issue to some but after some explaining, IRS accepted it. IRS Rejecting Certified True Copies of Canadian Passports | Frugal Flyer

I think the issue in Australia is we do not need the government agency to certify the documents. It can be certified by JP and people in some occupations.

My knowledge might be outdated though. You might need to check if the consulate will certify if box b is ticked or if Australia passport office will certify the passport now.

 

[albyd]

I still have $300 in t-mobile acc.

i have a fair amount of credit in my t-mobile account and they keep emailing me reminders to top up or else I’ll lose my number. Doesn’t make sense as everyone I’ve spoken to at T mobile asks me to top up though I have so much credit why would I top up further?

 

[blacksultan]

The issue is US consulates will certify it if you tick box a/h on w-7 form. You will pretty much need a document to support it. For example, in my case, rotalty income. I used Amazon premade letter saying I would be earning some royalty income (which I heard did not work now). It was pretty funny as well as the signature on that letter was from the guy who no loner worked for Amazon I tried to go the bank interest route before but the bank didn't understand what document I needed. (I needed the bank to issue a letter saying I would be earning interest that was subject to withholding with their official letterhead)

If you tick box b (Nonresident alien filing a U.S. federal tax return) which is what these CAAs do to get ITIN for you, the consulate won't certify it. This box b is the easier as you can just make up the income you earn without having to send any extra document to IRS.

IRS will accept the passport that is certified from the issuing agency so if you can get the Australian passport office to certify it, you can use box b without having to go through CAAs or visit IRS in person.

Actually last year, Canadian passport office stopped embossing the letter causing quite a bit of an issue to some but after some explaining, IRS accepted it. IRS Rejecting Certified True Copies of Canadian Passports | Frugal Flyer

I think the issue in Australia is we do not need the government agency to certify the documents. It can be certified by JP and people in some occupations.

My knowledge might be outdated though. You might need to check if the consulate will certify if box b is ticked or if Australia passport office will certify the passport

Is a consulate of another country in australia considered the issuing office for this purpose ? Or is it only the actual passport issuing office in the home country ?

 

[wutiswrongxd]

Hi everyone!

I am having a couple of issues and trying to find out if anyone has experienced anything similar to this.

1. I seem to be unable to get a postpaid plan.

AT&T requires me to go to one of their stores, and the same applies for T-Mo as they cannot verify my identity online.

I have previously had an account with Verizon, which I had to close because they somehow used my passport number as the SSN instead of my ITIN(maybe related to the next issue?). Now, I have been trying to get a plan using the right information and confirming that they are indeed using the ITIN as my SSN. All was good with the documents and such, but I had to go through the fraud department where they could not verify my identity, despite providing them with my US Visa and CP565 notice. They were also asking for proof of address, but a bank statement would not work, as they required a utility bill. They could not provide further details. I was not trying to buy a phone or anything like that - just get a postpaid plan with BYOD. I am thinking of giving it one more go tomorrow and explaining everything thoroughly, and that would be my last shot with VZW until I get to the US and take a trip to one of their corporate stores.

Maybe this has to do with the next issue.

2. I think my credit reports/info are completely screwed, leading to issues in verifying my identity...

Before getting my ITIN, Amex has reported my passport number as my SSN to the credit bureaus. I managed to fix this with TU (they removed the SSN and used xx_xx0000 as the SSN as they could use an ITIN) and Equifax (I think, but not entirely sure as I am only able to see my C1 CC there and none of my Amex cards). With Experian, it was impossible as they could not remove the wrong SSN (once again, my passport number) and have asked me to contact Amex, which I did. So I have no idea what is on my credit file with Experian, as I was unable to get any more information.

However, they (Amex) are telling me they cannot report my CC's to the credit bureaus with an ITIN, so they will keep using the passport number (which is literally wrong, and the agent I spoke to did not really seem to care and was basically like yeah, it is what is). I cannot understand how they can just go on with reporting wrong information?? They mentioned that if I had Business CCs, then it would be fine, but it cannot be done for Personal CCs?

I did ask them to "register" my ITIN as soon as I got it, though, updated it on my profile as well, and even applied for a new card with my ITIN afterward and got it approved (had to submit ID and the CP565 letter).

Any ideas on what I could possibly do here? Did Amex report your passport number as the SSN for anybody here?

 

[Finale]

Is a consulate of another country in australia considered the issuing office for this purpose ? Or is it only the actual passport issuing office in the home country ?

I'm not sure what that means but IRS accepts the documents that are certified by US consulates/embassies and also the issuing agency. In this case, it is the actual passport office that issues your passport.

The US consulate/embassy services are different in each country. In Australia, they say they only certify the passport for ITIN if you tick box a/h and you have to send w-7 form as well. Done by mail only. However, the one in Thailand doesn't have such a restriction. You might even be able to do it in person. If you are traveling, you may be able to book an appointment and get it certified there and then complete W-7 form yourself.

https://au.usembassy.gov/itin-applications/

https://th.usembassy.gov/u-s-citize...s-citizens/notaries-public/notaries-public-2/ (under certified true copy)

i have a fair amount of credit in my t-mobile account and they keep emailing me reminders to top up or else I’ll lose my number. Doesn’t make sense as everyone I’ve spoken to at T mobile asks me to top up though I have so much credit why would I top up further?

I got those emails too. Bad IT I guess.

 

[blacksultan]

The Thai pasport is issued by the royal Thai embassy here in Canberra .as such I was querying if they would be considered the issuing authority and as such be able to certify the passport copy .

I'm not sure what that means but IRS accepts the documents that are certified by US consulates/embassies and also the issuing agency. In this case, it is the actual passport office that issues your passport.

The US consulate/embassy services are different in each country. In Australia, they say they only certify the passport for ITIN if you tick box a/h and you have to send w-7 form as well. Done by mail only. However, the one in Thailand doesn't have such a restriction. You might even be able to do it in person. If you are traveling, you may be able to book an appointment and get it certified there and then complete W-7 form yourself.

https://au.usembassy.gov/itin-applications/

Technical Difficulties (under certified true copy)



I got those emails too. Bad IT I guess.

 

[blacksultan]

I'm not sure what that means but IRS accepts the documents that are certified by US consulates/embassies and also the issuing agency. In this case, it is the actual passport office that issues your passport.

The US consulate/embassy services are different in each country. In Australia, they say they only certify the passport for ITIN if you tick box a/h and you have to send w-7 form as well. Done by mail only. However, the one in Thailand doesn't have such a restriction. You might even be able to do it in person. If you are traveling, you may be able to book an appointment and get it certified there and then complete W-7 form yourself.

https://au.usembassy.gov/itin-applications/

Technical Difficulties (under certified true copy)



I got those emails too. Bad IT I g

By the way the Thai embassy have offered to only certify the signature of the passport holder on the copy and not a plain photocopy .I wonder if this will suffice .

 

[Finale]

The Thai pasport is issued by the royal Thai embassy here in Canberra .as such I was querying if they would be considered the issuing authority and as such be able to certify the passport copy .

Ah you have a Thai passport. It will have to be the Thai passport office (the department at the ministry of foreign affairs). The embassy didn't issue it to you. They got it after being issued in Thailand and just gave it to you.

Hi everyone!

I am having a couple of issues and trying to find out if anyone has experienced anything similar to this.

1. I seem to be unable to get a postpaid plan.

AT&T requires me to go to one of their stores, and the same applies for T-Mo as they cannot verify my identity online.

I have previously had an account with Verizon, which I had to close because they somehow used my passport number as the SSN instead of my ITIN(maybe related to the next issue?). Now, I have been trying to get a plan using the right information and confirming that they are indeed using the ITIN as my SSN. All was good with the documents and such, but I had to go through the fraud department where they could not verify my identity, despite providing them with my US Visa and CP565 notice. They were also asking for proof of address, but a bank statement would not work, as they required a utility bill. They could not provide further details. I was not trying to buy a phone or anything like that - just get a postpaid plan with BYOD. I am thinking of giving it one more go tomorrow and explaining everything thoroughly, and that would be my last shot with VZW until I get to the US and take a trip to one of their corporate stores.

Maybe this has to do with the next issue.

2. I think my credit reports/info are completely screwed, leading to issues in verifying my identity...

Before getting my ITIN, Amex has reported my passport number as my SSN to the credit bureaus. I managed to fix this with TU (they removed the SSN and used xx_xx0000 as the SSN as they could use an ITIN) and Equifax (I think, but not entirely sure as I am only able to see my C1 CC there and none of my Amex cards). With Experian, it was impossible as they could not remove the wrong SSN (once again, my passport number) and have asked me to contact Amex, which I did. So I have no idea what is on my credit file with Experian, as I was unable to get any more information.

However, they (Amex) are telling me they cannot report my CC's to the credit bureaus with an ITIN, so they will keep using the passport number (which is literally wrong, and the agent I spoke to did not really seem to care and was basically like yeah, it is what is). I cannot understand how they can just go on with reporting wrong information?? They mentioned that if I had Business CCs, then it would be fine, but it cannot be done for Personal CCs?

I did ask them to "register" my ITIN as soon as I got it, though, updated it on my profile as well, and even applied for a new card with my ITIN afterward and got it approved (had to submit ID and the CP565 letter).

Any ideas on what I could possibly do here? Did Amex report your passport number as the SSN for anybody here?

It sounded complicated. If I were you, I would keep contacting Amex until someone was willing to help. Did you talk to the fraud department?

However, you got approved for Cap1 card earlier and Cap1 usually pulls all 3. If something was really wrong, Cap1 wouldn't approve. Or you might already have a new credit file with a correct ITIN due to Cap1. Maybe wait and see if Chase/Citi will approve your application. This might not affect your future applications.

 

[pyramidforce]

Wishful thinking, can we just all use Passport Number + 000 or whatever and just get a free SSN?

 

[glasszon]

Wishful thinking, can we just all use Passport Number + 000 or whatever and just get a free SSN?

Yes, but at that point you are effectively committing fraud as it isn't your SSN. No different to you inflating your income in order to get a credit card approved.