Selling Tradelines / Piggybacking Part II: $1000+/hr, 20-40k/yr. Side Gig

[JL9berg13]

Thanks arebelspy and Bstache for the replies.

[CanuckExpat]

I don't think about it from an ethical standpoint, but as a form of an arbitrage opportunity (abusing the term arbitrage slightly).

Say I had an 18 year old child and I added them as an authorized user solely for the purpose of increasing their credit score, and then destroyed their card as soon is it arrived. Would anyone really think anything of it? You would probably be lauded for doing it.

There are other people who want their credit scores increased, and don't have someone who is willing or able to do it for them, but they would pay good money for an increased credit score.

It's roughly analogous to having two different markets with price discrepancies. Selling your tradeline is exploiting the price difference between those two markets. Generally, people believe arbitrage should be encouraged, as it contributes to market efficiency. Which I guess in this case would be pricing the two markets to be equivalent, or shutting down the mechanism of moving between the two (adding as authorized users).

I don't think those ideas are fully formed, but there you have my two cents

[DavidAnnArbor]

Someone who audits mortgages said that he often pulls up credit reports that bars authorized user credit lines from appearing on the credit report. So I don't think all credit reports are created equal. Car lenders might not be as strict about the credit report as compared to home mortgage lenders.

[dragoncar]

Credit Sesame just sent me a message saying there was a "paid tradeline" alert on my account.  I was like, shit, they make a note of suspicious activity on my credit report now?  But now, when I logged in it just said "Congratulations! A creditor has reported that you recently paid one of your accounts down to $0."  Well yeah I do that every month.

[MasterStache]

Credit Sesame just sent me a message saying there was a "paid tradeline" alert on my account.  I was like, shit, they make a note of suspicious activity on my credit report now?  But now, when I logged in it just said "Congratulations! A creditor has reported that you recently paid one of your accounts down to $0."  Well yeah I do that every month.

Huh, weird I got a similar message for the first time ever. Guess I can expect to get a lot more of those.

[arebelspy]

Credit Sesame just sent me a message saying there was a "paid tradeline" alert on my account.  I was like, shit, they make a note of suspicious activity on my credit report now?  But now, when I logged in it just said "Congratulations! A creditor has reported that you recently paid one of your accounts down to $0."  Well yeah I do that every month.

Huh, weird I got a similar message for the first time ever. Guess I can expect to get a lot more of those.

That sounds like something new credit sesame decided to implement.

It has nothing to do with authorized user tradelines.

Seems annoying if you get it every time you pay a CC to zero--that should happen every month.

[katsiki]

It is fairly new and yes, it is annoying!  :)

[arebelspy]

On the plus side, any card you sell tradelines on, you won't get this message, as it'll have a tiny charge on it. ;)

[MasterStache]

Mine originated from Credit Karma. And yes it will get annoying if they send them out every time I pay off my balance. 

[dragoncar]

Credit Sesame just sent me a message saying there was a "paid tradeline" alert on my account.  I was like, shit, they make a note of suspicious activity on my credit report now?  But now, when I logged in it just said "Congratulations! A creditor has reported that you recently paid one of your accounts down to $0."  Well yeah I do that every month.

Huh, weird I got a similar message for the first time ever. Guess I can expect to get a lot more of those.

That sounds like something new credit sesame decided to implement.

It has nothing to do with authorized user tradelines.

Seems annoying if you get it every time you pay a CC to zero--that should happen every month.

CreditSesame seems pretty desparate for me to log in.  They are always sending me BS messages like "There's a 65% chance your credit score has changed!" and so forth.  I guess it's just below my threshold for unsubscribing, but these new alerts will probably be the last straw.  I rarely even use CreditSesame because CreditKarma is so much better (more detailed information, two credit bureaus).  Between CK and the free annual credit reports, I feel like I'm covered for finding fraudulent accounts.

edit: ok, I just realized I've been getting almost 1 email per day from CS.  This really started in the last 1-2 months.  In March it was still a healthy 11 emails.  To be fair, it's easy to unsubscribe so I'm not sure why I didn't... I guess they boiled my frog.

[Shade00]

I got the text and email this morning to add a new AU to my Discover. Just logged in and went through the process. Got to the final screen for AU submitted and it said look here for the decision on your add, but there was no decision - and the new AU add isn't showing up in the Manage AU section. Has this happened to anyone else? I don't want to get ahead of myself and try to add them again.

[CanuckExpat]

I got the text and email this morning to add a new AU to my Discover. Just logged in and went through the process. Got to the final screen for AU submitted and it said look here for the decision on your add, but there was no decision - and the new AU add isn't showing up in the Manage AU section. Has this happened to anyone else? I don't want to get ahead of myself and try to add them again.

This sounds similar to what RedwoodDreams and I have been encountering with Discover. So far works out in end, but looks like some kind of increased monitoring or auditing?:
Report
Update

[Shade00]

I got the text and email this morning to add a new AU to my Discover. Just logged in and went through the process. Got to the final screen for AU submitted and it said look here for the decision on your add, but there was no decision - and the new AU add isn't showing up in the Manage AU section. Has this happened to anyone else? I don't want to get ahead of myself and try to add them again.

This sounds similar to what RedwoodDreams have been encountering with Discover. So far works out in end, but looks like some kind of increased monitoring or auditing?:
Report
Update

Thank you for the link - that does sound exactly like it. I'll chat with them and then cross my fingers that I can get it approved in time.

UPDATE: I chatted through the online portal and asked for status. The first agent transferred me to their "specialty team," who told me they could review the application right then. They asked for my DOB and then took a minute or two before telling me the application was approved. The AU is now on my account. Seems like online chat is the way to go if you have this issue.

[dragoncar]

I honestly think it's better to give it a day or two before chatting.  Sending you to the "specialty team" seem s like it would raise flags after you do it a few times

[Shade00]

I honestly think it's better to give it a day or two before chatting.  Sending you to the "specialty team" seem s like it would raise flags after you do it a few times

That may be true, but typically the add has to be completed the day it's requested or you won't get credit for it, right?

[secondcor521]

I honestly think it's better to give it a day or two before chatting.  Sending you to the "specialty team" seem s like it would raise flags after you do it a few times

That may be true, but typically the add has to be completed the day it's requested or you won't get credit for it, right?

Nope.  They will ask you to add it the day they notify you, and doing so is the most conservative way to go to ensure getting paid, but - with me at least - they build in a few days of wiggle room.  My last add was on a Friday, and I added them that same day but just forgot to press the "Yup, I've added them" button in the online portal.  I got an email from them four days later asking if I had added them yet and if not it was still OK but needed to be done that day.  I reassured them via email and pressed the button in the portal.

[dragoncar]

I honestly think it's better to give it a day or two before chatting.  Sending you to the "specialty team" seem s like it would raise flags after you do it a few times

That may be true, but typically the add has to be completed the day it's requested or you won't get credit for it, right?

Nope.  They will ask you to add it the day they notify you, and doing so is the most conservative way to go to ensure getting paid, but - with me at least - they build in a few days of wiggle room.  My last add was on a Friday, and I added them that same day but just forgot to press the "Yup, I've added them" button in the online portal.  I got an email from them four days later asking if I had added them yet and if not it was still OK but needed to be done that day.  I reassured them via email and pressed the button in the portal.

I think if it's approved by statement closing date it will post

[BikeFanatic]

Canukexpat wrote

This sounds similar to what RedwoodDreams and I have been encountering with Discover. So far works out in end, but looks like some kind of increased monitoring or auditing?

I tried to Login to my Discover and they locked me out and made me contact account verification or fraud or some such department. They asked about the AU and lucky I had their names and good records. More like a friendly conversation versus an interrogation, but I think they are obviously monitoring the AU situation. Now I have a new add for today and not sure if I should add them today or wait, any opinions? I will contact the recommended company when they open. Hate to have my Discover card rest as it is the only card I get adds on so far. Just one every other month.

[ditkanate]

Ok, so I have a US Bank card enrolled with the recommended TL company.  The portal says "Month Limit: 2", which I take to mean 2 additional AU's on the card per month.  I had one add in May which I'm scheduled to remove on 7/28.  Then I got another sale on that card on 6/21 and successfully added the AU.  Now today I get another add for that card, which will put the total AU's at 3 for July.  Should I have any concern about that, or just add the new sale as instructed?

[secondcor521]

Ok, so I have a US Bank card enrolled with the recommended TL company.  The portal says "Month Limit: 2", which I take to mean 2 additional AU's on the card per month.  I had one add in May which I'm scheduled to remove on 7/28.  Then I got another sale on that card on 6/21 and successfully added the AU.  Now today I get another add for that card, which will put the total AU's at 3 for July.  Should I have any concern about that, or just add the new sale as instructed?

In situations like this, I usually send an email to the TL company asking them to confirm that they want me to add the AU.  If they say yes and I feel comfortable with the situation, I'll go ahead with the add.  If I feel *really* uncomfortable or have a problem with the add, I'll email the TL company and tell them I don't feel comfortable or it didn't work; the TL company will then move the sale to some other card.

The 2 AU limit on USBank is a recommendation.  I have had the TL company ask me to exceed the recommendation a time or two.  Up to each individual here if they're comfortable doing that or not.  In my case, each time it was on a USAA card and I think USAA won't allow more than 2 at a time, so I had to tell the TL company it didn't work.

[ditkanate]

Ok, so I have a US Bank card enrolled with the recommended TL company.  The portal says "Month Limit: 2", which I take to mean 2 additional AU's on the card per month.  I had one add in May which I'm scheduled to remove on 7/28.  Then I got another sale on that card on 6/21 and successfully added the AU.  Now today I get another add for that card, which will put the total AU's at 3 for July.  Should I have any concern about that, or just add the new sale as instructed?

In situations like this, I usually send an email to the TL company asking them to confirm that they want me to add the AU.  If they say yes and I feel comfortable with the situation, I'll go ahead with the add.  If I feel *really* uncomfortable or have a problem with the add, I'll email the TL company and tell them I don't feel comfortable or it didn't work; the TL company will then move the sale to some other card.

The 2 AU limit on USBank is a recommendation.  I have had the TL company ask me to exceed the recommendation a time or two.  Up to each individual here if they're comfortable doing that or not.  In my case, each time it was on a USAA card and I think USAA won't allow more than 2 at a time, so I had to tell the TL company it didn't work.

Ok thanks - that's kind of what I thought but haven't had enough sales until now to worry about it.  I've emailed the TL company.  The deadline to get them added is soon so I'll likely go ahead with the add. 

[threepacballer]

Got first add today from recommended company on Discover Card. I signed up on 5/15 so it did not take that long. The online form rejected the address as it was a PO Box company address. I sent the TL company an email letting them know and they said call them to add. I was a little apprehensive given it was a name very hard to pronounce but I told the rep that upfront and just spelled it. They said fine and card is on its way. Smooth sailing so far.

[The Fake Cheap]

I assume these companies on deal with US credit/trade lines.   

Anyone know of any trade line companies where Canadians can catch a piece of this action?

[arebelspy]

Anyone know of any trade line companies where Canadians can catch a piece of this action?

It doesn't work in Canada; they don't report the same way for credit reporting purposes, so it doesn't do anything for an AU's score.  US only, unfortunately.

[RedwoodDreams]

Canukexpat wrote

This sounds similar to what RedwoodDreams and I have been encountering with Discover. So far works out in end, but looks like some kind of increased monitoring or auditing?

I tried to Login to my Discover and they locked me out and made me contact account verification or fraud or some such department. They asked about the AU and lucky I had their names and good records. More like a friendly conversation versus an interrogation, but I think they are obviously monitoring the AU situation. Now I have a new add for today and not sure if I should add them today or wait, any opinions? I will contact the recommended company when they open. Hate to have my Discover card rest as it is the only card I get adds on so far. Just one every other month.

I would go for it and add the AU. After my experience with Discover for last month's three adds, I feel more comfortable with the fact that they're just now being careful about adding any AUs. My sense is that they mostly want to make sure YOU as the cardholder are the one doing the adding, someone hasn't hacked your account, etc. All three posted fine and tomorrow is payday.

[coolshemp]

Canukexpat wrote

This sounds similar to what RedwoodDreams and I have been encountering with Discover. So far works out in end, but looks like some kind of increased monitoring or auditing?

I tried to Login to my Discover and they locked me out and made me contact account verification or fraud or some such department. They asked about the AU and lucky I had their names and good records. More like a friendly conversation versus an interrogation, but I think they are obviously monitoring the AU situation. Now I have a new add for today and not sure if I should add them today or wait, any opinions? I will contact the recommended company when they open. Hate to have my Discover card rest as it is the only card I get adds on so far. Just one every other month.

I would go for it and add the AU. After my experience with Discover for last month's three adds, I feel more comfortable with the fact that they're just now being careful about adding any AUs. My sense is that they mostly want to make sure YOU as the cardholder are the one doing the adding, someone hasn't hacked your account, etc. All three posted fine and tomorrow is payday.

Really?  Was payday today?  Nothing was added to my account...

[MasterStache]

Ok, so I have a US Bank card enrolled with the recommended TL company.  The portal says "Month Limit: 2", which I take to mean 2 additional AU's on the card per month.  I had one add in May which I'm scheduled to remove on 7/28.  Then I got another sale on that card on 6/21 and successfully added the AU.  Now today I get another add for that card, which will put the total AU's at 3 for July.  Should I have any concern about that, or just add the new sale as instructed?

In situations like this, I usually send an email to the TL company asking them to confirm that they want me to add the AU.  If they say yes and I feel comfortable with the situation, I'll go ahead with the add.  If I feel *really* uncomfortable or have a problem with the add, I'll email the TL company and tell them I don't feel comfortable or it didn't work; the TL company will then move the sale to some other card.

The 2 AU limit on USBank is a recommendation.  I have had the TL company ask me to exceed the recommendation a time or two.  Up to each individual here if they're comfortable doing that or not.  In my case, each time it was on a USAA card and I think USAA won't allow more than 2 at a time, so I had to tell the TL company it didn't work.

I had 3 on my USAA card the first few months of the year. Wasn't a problem with USAA. Not sure I would do it again though.

[secondcor521]

Canukexpat wrote

This sounds similar to what RedwoodDreams and I have been encountering with Discover. So far works out in end, but looks like some kind of increased monitoring or auditing?

I tried to Login to my Discover and they locked me out and made me contact account verification or fraud or some such department. They asked about the AU and lucky I had their names and good records. More like a friendly conversation versus an interrogation, but I think they are obviously monitoring the AU situation. Now I have a new add for today and not sure if I should add them today or wait, any opinions? I will contact the recommended company when they open. Hate to have my Discover card rest as it is the only card I get adds on so far. Just one every other month.

I would go for it and add the AU. After my experience with Discover for last month's three adds, I feel more comfortable with the fact that they're just now being careful about adding any AUs. My sense is that they mostly want to make sure YOU as the cardholder are the one doing the adding, someone hasn't hacked your account, etc. All three posted fine and tomorrow is payday.

Really?  Was payday today?  Nothing was added to my account...

For some reason I think it will be around 7/7.

[o2bfree]

I read this in the FAQs:

"In a worst-case scenario, the credit card company may shut down other lines and accounts you have with them besides that one card, and/or refuse to issue you new cards.  Chase is the only one I'm aware of that does this, so be careful with them, but the other companies, if they shut your card down (which is rare) will likely only shut down that one single card, not any other accounts with them, nor refuse to issue you any new credit."

I have a 3-year old Visa with a $17,000 limit issued by Elan Financial via Fidelity. Fidelity handles my 401k and several other of my investment accounts. The card is just a backup card for traveling, so I might try selling some spots on it. I don't know if Fidelity would care if the card got closed since they're not the issuer, but being the cautious sort I'm a little nervous about doing anything to mess up my retirement accounts.

Up to this point, has anyone had other accounts shut down by anyone other than Chase?

[BikeFanatic]

Thanks Redwooddreams!  I did post my AU to discover ( recommended company never replied to my email or my text) and the user was added without incident, guess I was just paranoid.
I am going to add another card this month a 2 year old Citibank that I have been holding back waiting fo it to turn 2 and maybe I can make 150 a month or so, worth the trouble I feel.

[TomTX]

I read this in the FAQs:

"In a worst-case scenario, the credit card company may shut down other lines and accounts you have with them besides that one card, and/or refuse to issue you new cards.  Chase is the only one I'm aware of that does this, so be careful with them, but the other companies, if they shut your card down (which is rare) will likely only shut down that one single card, not any other accounts with them, nor refuse to issue you any new credit."

I have a 3-year old Visa with a $17,000 limit issued by Elan Financial via Fidelity. Fidelity handles my 401k and several other of my investment accounts. The card is just a backup card for traveling, so I might try selling some spots on it. I don't know if Fidelity would care if the card got closed since they're not the issuer, but being the cautious sort I'm a little nervous about doing anything to mess up my retirement accounts.

Up to this point, has anyone had other accounts shut down by anyone other than Chase?

BoA was recently shutting down accounts, but it wasn't due to tradelines - it was people with 5+ BoA cards, often duplicates or triplicates. Last year there was a MLB Cash card with a juicy signup bonus ($200 on $500 spend) - and you could pick different teams. So people started collecting teams, and BoA let them.

[TomTX]

Ok, so I have a US Bank card enrolled with the recommended TL company.  The portal says "Month Limit: 2", which I take to mean 2 additional AU's on the card per month.  I had one add in May which I'm scheduled to remove on 7/28.  Then I got another sale on that card on 6/21 and successfully added the AU.  Now today I get another add for that card, which will put the total AU's at 3 for July.  Should I have any concern about that, or just add the new sale as instructed?

I would NOT put a 3rd AU on a US Bank card.

But that's me. I've already had to go through fraud verification (twice, because the first person verified me but didn't actually clear the flag)

[MasterStache]

I read this in the FAQs:

"In a worst-case scenario, the credit card company may shut down other lines and accounts you have with them besides that one card, and/or refuse to issue you new cards.  Chase is the only one I'm aware of that does this, so be careful with them, but the other companies, if they shut your card down (which is rare) will likely only shut down that one single card, not any other accounts with them, nor refuse to issue you any new credit."

I have a 3-year old Visa with a $17,000 limit issued by Elan Financial via Fidelity. Fidelity handles my 401k and several other of my investment accounts. The card is just a backup card for traveling, so I might try selling some spots on it. I don't know if Fidelity would care if the card got closed since they're not the issuer, but being the cautious sort I'm a little nervous about doing anything to mess up my retirement accounts.

Up to this point, has anyone had other accounts shut down by anyone other than Chase?

BoA was recently shutting down accounts, but it wasn't due to tradelines - it was people with 5+ BoA cards, often duplicates or triplicates. Last year there was a MLB Cash card with a juicy signup bonus ($200 on $500 spend) - and you could pick different teams. So people started collecting teams, and BoA let them.

I was just reading about this the other day. Wish I could have gotten in on some of that action. Didn't do much CC churning last year so I missed out on it.

[o2bfree]

I read this in the FAQs:

"In a worst-case scenario, the credit card company may shut down other lines and accounts you have with them besides that one card, and/or refuse to issue you new cards.  Chase is the only one I'm aware of that does this, so be careful with them, but the other companies, if they shut your card down (which is rare) will likely only shut down that one single card, not any other accounts with them, nor refuse to issue you any new credit."

I have a 3-year old Visa with a $17,000 limit issued by Elan Financial via Fidelity. Fidelity handles my 401k and several other of my investment accounts. The card is just a backup card for traveling, so I might try selling some spots on it. I don't know if Fidelity would care if the card got closed since they're not the issuer, but being the cautious sort I'm a little nervous about doing anything to mess up my retirement accounts.

Up to this point, has anyone had other accounts shut down by anyone other than Chase?

BoA was recently shutting down accounts, but it wasn't due to tradelines - it was people with 5+ BoA cards, often duplicates or triplicates. Last year there was a MLB Cash card with a juicy signup bonus ($200 on $500 spend) - and you could pick different teams. So people started collecting teams, and BoA let them.

Interesting! I just signed up for a BoA card for a $150 on $500 bonus, and I'll probably mature it for tradelines. I noticed they still offer the MLB card, but with the same $150 on $500 bonus.

[TomTX]

I read this in the FAQs:

"In a worst-case scenario, the credit card company may shut down other lines and accounts you have with them besides that one card, and/or refuse to issue you new cards.  Chase is the only one I'm aware of that does this, so be careful with them, but the other companies, if they shut your card down (which is rare) will likely only shut down that one single card, not any other accounts with them, nor refuse to issue you any new credit."

I have a 3-year old Visa with a $17,000 limit issued by Elan Financial via Fidelity. Fidelity handles my 401k and several other of my investment accounts. The card is just a backup card for traveling, so I might try selling some spots on it. I don't know if Fidelity would care if the card got closed since they're not the issuer, but being the cautious sort I'm a little nervous about doing anything to mess up my retirement accounts.

Up to this point, has anyone had other accounts shut down by anyone other than Chase?

BoA was recently shutting down accounts, but it wasn't due to tradelines - it was people with 5+ BoA cards, often duplicates or triplicates. Last year there was a MLB Cash card with a juicy signup bonus ($200 on $500 spend) - and you could pick different teams. So people started collecting teams, and BoA let them.

Interesting! I just signed up for a BoA card for a $150 on $500 bonus, and I'll probably mature it for tradelines. I noticed they still offer the MLB card, but with the same $150 on $500 bonus.

The $150 on $500 are pretty common. I try to hold out for at least $200 on $500 (got one of those from BoA and one from Barclay this year) or even better $500 on $3,000 (Barclay, Chase, CapOne) when I have a chunk of travel for work coming up - I can put the travel expenses on the new card and get reimbursed.

[MasterStache]

I read this in the FAQs:

"In a worst-case scenario, the credit card company may shut down other lines and accounts you have with them besides that one card, and/or refuse to issue you new cards.  Chase is the only one I'm aware of that does this, so be careful with them, but the other companies, if they shut your card down (which is rare) will likely only shut down that one single card, not any other accounts with them, nor refuse to issue you any new credit."

I have a 3-year old Visa with a $17,000 limit issued by Elan Financial via Fidelity. Fidelity handles my 401k and several other of my investment accounts. The card is just a backup card for traveling, so I might try selling some spots on it. I don't know if Fidelity would care if the card got closed since they're not the issuer, but being the cautious sort I'm a little nervous about doing anything to mess up my retirement accounts.

Up to this point, has anyone had other accounts shut down by anyone other than Chase?

BoA was recently shutting down accounts, but it wasn't due to tradelines - it was people with 5+ BoA cards, often duplicates or triplicates. Last year there was a MLB Cash card with a juicy signup bonus ($200 on $500 spend) - and you could pick different teams. So people started collecting teams, and BoA let them.

Interesting! I just signed up for a BoA card for a $150 on $500 bonus, and I'll probably mature it for tradelines. I noticed they still offer the MLB card, but with the same $150 on $500 bonus.

The $150 on $500 are pretty common. I try to hold out for at least $200 on $500 (got one of those from BoA and one from Barclay this year) or even better $500 on $3,000 (Barclay, Chase, CapOne) when I have a chunk of travel for work coming up - I can put the travel expenses on the new card and get reimbursed.

Haven't seen a $200 for $500 lately. I signed up for the same BoA card $150 for $500. Trying to be careful on the higher spend requirement cards since Serve was getting shutdown for a whole bunch of folks.

[CanuckExpat]

FYI, for those discussing and interested in bank account opening bonuses, active thread here: Bank account churning: how to make $1600 in a year by being organized

[kudy]

Just had a repo man knock on my door (at 10pm), trying to find a former AU, so he could re-posses an Audi A8.

[arebelspy]

Just had a repo man knock on my door (at 10pm), trying to find a former AU, so he could re-posses an Audi A8.

Wow. Fun story. Not so fun to experience.

May be worth running all tradeline stuff through a post office or mail forwarding address.

[MasterStache]

Just had a repo man knock on my door (at 10pm), trying to find a former AU, so he could re-posses an Audi A8.

Wowzer. That's a bit scary!

[kudy]

Just had a repo man knock on my door (at 10pm), trying to find a former AU, so he could re-posses an Audi A8.

Wow. Fun story. Not so fun to experience.

May be worth running all tradeline stuff through a post office or mail forwarding address.

Yeah, I might consider a P.O. Box for my credit card mailing address - this one was actually my SO's former AU, so we should probably both consider changing things over. It wasn't a big inconvenience - obviously we didn't have the car here, and we just played dumb and explained to the guy that the person he was seeking did not live here - but it'd be ideal to not have creditors coming around occasionally. I am slightly surprised that they sent someone to check, since the AU lives in California. I imagine the repo man was disappointed that he didn't get a bounty for finding the car - not sure how they make their money, but I imagine it requires actual delivery of the item :)

This anecdote does further highlight the benefit of also adding the AU's address whenever possible. This was a Capital One add, so unless we call we can't add their address, so this type of thing may continue to happen with some AUs depending on the bank. We have also each received a few 'collections' calls from Capital One adds (the tradeline company told me to put in my phone number with Capital One adds) - but I just tell them they have the wrong number and they usually stop calling.

[RedwoodDreams]

Another Discover card anecdote: I went to remove two AUs from my card yesterday though the site's "Manage" section. In the past, I've just been able to remove AUs online, no fuss.

Yesterday, however, I got a message that the operation couldn't be done at the time, and to call an 800- number about lost or stolen cards.

I remembered that when I'd logged in, I'd gotten a nudge from Discover that I had AU cards to activate. So I went ahead and activated the cards of the users I wanted to remove, and after I got a confirmation email from Discover, logged back in and was able to remove the AUs from my card online.

Possibly a fluke, but possibly they want to see AU cards activated (?) before they let you easily remove 'em (?) Just something to be aware of if you run into a similar situation.

[arebelspy]

Another Discover card anecdote: I went to remove two AUs from my card yesterday though the site's "Manage" section. In the past, I've just been able to remove AUs online, no fuss.

Yesterday, however, I got a message that the operation couldn't be done at the time, and to call an 800- number about lost or stolen cards.

I remembered that when I'd logged in, I'd gotten a nudge from Discover that I had AU cards to activate. So I went ahead and activated the cards of the users I wanted to remove, and after I got a confirmation email from Discover, logged back in and was able to remove the AUs from my card online.

Possibly a fluke, but possibly they want to see AU cards activated (?) before they let you easily remove 'em (?) Just something to be aware of if you run into a similar situation.

Weird.  I always add/remove Discover online (removed two a few days ago) and have never activated their card.  I'd probably try logging out and back in, first, but good to know activating them solved it for you.

[katsiki]

FYI, I recently discovered the activation link for Discover.  I was shredding them and not even trying to activate them previously.  Previous AUs posted fine without activation.  I don't think activation is needed.

[poor]

Hi, new to MMM.  I keep a lot of cards and my friend recommended me to this thread.  I am definitely interested but looking to draw on the experiences of others.  I need to decide if it is worth the time investment or if the market is oversaturated at this point.  The 2 cards I would like to use are citibank and barclay (I think that these are two of the easier ones to use).  Each card is 2-4 years and $10k-$15k.  How much money would I expect to make off this?  Also, does it make sense to open a PO box (to keep creditors away from my home address)?

[arebelspy]

Hi, new to MMM.  I keep a lot of cards and my friend recommended me to this thread.  I am definitely interested but looking to draw on the experiences of others.  I need to decide if it is worth the time investment or if the market is oversaturated at this point.  The 2 cards I would like to use are citibank and barclay (I think that these are two of the easier ones to use).  Each card is 2-4 years and $10k-$15k.  How much money would I expect to make off this?

It's pretty saturated, so I'd expect to make hundreds (possibly low thousands), rather than thousands (or high single-digit thousands), per card per year.  Whether or not that's worth the effort is up to you.

The hourly rate on whatever you sell is pretty insane (over $1000/hr), it's a very low amount of work.

Also, does it make sense to open a PO box (to keep creditors away from my home address)?

Depends. That's just a calculation on how you value the cost of the item versus annoyance of the event times the probability that it happens.

We've (collectively, as a group) now sold thousands of tradelines, and had:
1 report of a collector knocking on someone's door.
2-3 reports of a collector placing a phone call to someone.
3-5? reports of receiving junk mail for a previous AU.

The odds of it happening are pretty low. The annoyance if it happens depends on you. The cost for the PO box varies.

I'd just run all that together and make a decision.

[lmf]

Ok, so I have a US Bank card enrolled with the recommended TL company.  The portal says "Month Limit: 2", which I take to mean 2 additional AU's on the card per month.  I had one add in May which I'm scheduled to remove on 7/28.  Then I got another sale on that card on 6/21 and successfully added the AU.  Now today I get another add for that card, which will put the total AU's at 3 for July.  Should I have any concern about that, or just add the new sale as instructed?

I just had the same thing happen with my US Bank card.  I emailed the TL company to ask if I should remove one of the other two AUs before adding the new one and they said their new policy is to leave the AUs on for 75 days rather than 60 days.  That would mean that the card would have 3 AUs for the next two weeks.  Can anyone else confirm that?

[Taz-d]

I just had the same thing happen with my US Bank card.  I emailed the TL company to ask if I should remove one of the other two AUs before adding the new one and they said their new policy is to leave the AUs on for 75 days rather than 60 days.  That would mean that the card would have 3 AUs for the next two weeks.  Can anyone else confirm that?

I can confirm a similar experience. I already had 3 AUs on my US Bank card (1 add in late March, 2 adds in April). These were my first sales (yay!) and were done before I noticed the switch to the 2 AUs recommendation for US Bank.  Last week I was asked to remove the oldest AU and add a new one. I emailed the contact at the recommended company and was told they normally like to keep to 2 AUs with US Bank but that they sometimes will request a 3rd AU be added. And the estimate I was given for removal of the 2 adds done in late April does match the 75-day time frame you just mentioned.

So I'll have 3 AUs for an overlapping two weeks as well. But hey, I've already had 3 AUs for the last 2 months so I probably shouldn't worry about another 2 weeks at this point. Either my account gets flagged or it doesn't. Either way, it's pretty neat to see some income from this endeavor and I'll report back if I get any phone calls from the folks at US Bank in the near future.

[ducky19]

We've (collectively, as a group) now sold thousands of tradelines, and had:
1 report of a collector knocking on someone's door.
2-3 reports of a collector placing a phone call to someone.
3-5? reports of receiving junk mail for a previous AU.

The odds of it happening are pretty low. The annoyance if it happens depends on you. The cost for the PO box varies.

I'd just run all that together and make a decision.

I was getting a recorded phone call about "important personal business... press '1' to hear this message in English..." I just ignored them, but they kept coming so I finally answered one day and they asked for one of my AUs. I told them they had the wrong number and haven't received a call since. I didn't report it as it was only mildly annoying. Agree though that it doesn't happen very often.

[dragoncar]

So how do we notify the tradeline company that we removed an AU.  I haven't gotten any notifications to remove, and I can't click the "remove" button on the portal, but my understanding is to remove them after a couple months

mostly worried if their system is blocking me from new sales because it thinks I still have 2 active AUs