Amex referral scam!

[Sriim]

Hi

I would like to share my experience about how I got scammed here in TF by @MAXXCARD.

I joined TF in November 2023 and have been frequenting here since then. I've learnt a lot and maximised my rewards after joining TF. I also got introduced to the world of American Express and got my first 2 cards in MRCC and Gold in January.

Ever since Amex increased the referral benefits to 12k MR points, I've been on the lookout to exchange my referral with someone, where I'll get a Platinum travel card in exchange for someone using my referral for their 2nd or 3rd card. I thought I was being smart, but have been proved wrong.

I thought I finally found the right person when I saw @MAXXCARD posting his referral link in various threads. Seeing that he's been on this forum since 2022, I wasn't very sceptical as I've largely had a very positive experience here in TF, more so with long term users.

I DM'ed @MAXXCARD about the offer and he seemed enthusiastic towards the exchange. We exchanged referral links and he was promptly replying for the 2-3 days we (I?) took to apply and complete vKYC.

But the day I mentioned that my card has been approved, he stopped responding to DMs even though he's visiting the site daily according to the last seen function.

I was disappointed, but held hope that he was just being busy. But as days went by, the feeling that I've got scammed got stronger and stronger.

I understand that I made myself vulnerable with the offer. I also remember a post by Amex legend @coolguy1 asking a different user about what will happen if one person's application was not approved during an exchange. I thought that an existing user had high chances of getting approved for a 2nd card. And to be honest, if his application wasn't approved, I wouldn't be this disappointed.

Because right now, I've no idea if he even applied as he's ghosted me since and ignored all my messages. Let my story be a warning to all users that such scammers do exist even here in TF. But just like everything else on TF, this has also taught me something and will be careful from here on.

And if you, @MAXXCARD finally reply to my message and I'm mistaken (even though it looks unlikely with you not responding to DMs), I'll take down this post. But if you have tried to scam me, i wish you'll grow a conscience and really apply for a card with my referral link or provide me with 4K Apay vocuher (equivalent to 12k MR points).

Sorry for the long post. Be careful everyone. Attaching screenshots of the DM and last seen as on 11.30 AM, July 7

 

[Sriim]

You already had 2 cards, you were willing to take another one just to get the bonus without even thinking if you really need the card or not.

Guilty as charged

 

[Adith]

Hey @Sriim , did you get the referral bonus ? My card is approved and activated.

 

[drsel]

Hey @Sriim , did you get the referral bonus ? My card is approved and activated.

Did you get your gift of Amazon pay from Sriim?

 

[Adith]

Did you get your gift of Amazon pay from Sriim?

No actually , still haven't got confirmation that he recieved the referral benefit since I already activated the card .

 

[drsel]

No actually , still haven't got confirmation that he recieved the referral benefit since I already activated the card .

How much Amazon pay did he offer you?
Now he is on the other side of the fence.
Let's see if he follows the example of Maxxcard or not

 

[Adith]

How much Amazon pay did he offer you?
Now he is on the other side of the fence.
Let's see if you follows in the food steps of Maxxcard or not

He actually dint offer any and i just wanted to help out. If he wants to give something I'd happily accept. Even if he doesn't, it's fine . It's a bit sad that he dint even acknowledge whether he got the referral bonus or not.

 

[Adith]

I might look like a fool for not asking for any Amazon gift card , but I learned more from this community in the last month than I've learnt from anything else and i just wanted to contribute something back .

 

[Sriim]

Hey @Sriim , did you get the referral bonus ? My card is approved and activated.

I got the referral bonus the day you card was approved. That's why I DM'ed you asking if it was your application that was approved.

 

[Adith]

Awesome thanks ! Enjoy !

 

[Sriim]

He actually dint offer any and i just wanted to help out. If he wants to give something I'd happily accept. Even if he doesn't, it's fine . It's a bit sad that he dint even acknowledge whether he got the referral bonus or not..

I thanked you in the meaning that referral points were from your application.

Sorry i wasn't more specific.

Amex always credits the referral points as soon as application is approved. Thought you knew that. My apologies

 

[Adith]

No , I'm new to amex so thought it takes time . Was waiting for confirmation that you recieved the points , else I might have done something wrong . Now I've learnt . Thanks !

 

[drsel]

I might look like a fool for not asking for any Amazon gift card , but I learned more from this community in the last month than I've learnt from anything else and i just wanted to contribute something back .

Lovely if you want any advice about any card just ask me!
I have no vested interest because I am not getting any commission on any card, so I will be honest, blunt and critical of every card

 

[Adith]

Lovely if you want any advice about any card just ask me!
I have no vested interest because I am not getting any commission on any card, so I will be honest, blunt and critical of every card

Awesome!! Thanks for that . Just one major question. I have two LTF ICICI cards , do I have to use it every month atleast once or i can use it once in two months or something? I'm already offered Sapphiro but it's not LTF so gonna wait for it.

 

[Sriim]

Awesome!! Thanks for that . Just one major question. I have two LTF ICICI cards , do I have to use it every month atleast once or i can use it once in two months or something? I'm already offered Sapphiro but it's not LTF so gonna wait for i

You have to use any card once every year to keep it active

 

[Adith]

You have to use any card once every year to keep it active

Oh I thought had to do it monthly. Sweet , that really helps my management even better. Now I understand how people have so many cards and don't go mad

 

[drsel]

Awesome!! Thanks for that . Just one major question. I have two LTF ICICI cards , do I have to use it every month atleast once or i can use it once in two months or something? I'm already offered Sapphiro but it's not LTF so gonna wait for it.

I also have lifetime free ICICI cards which I don't use, exccept when I get 33% offers like visa tap and pay.
There is no compulsion to use them at all

 

[RAMESH BABU N]

Some cards, like RuPay Select from PNB n UBoI, insist yhat you use their card, at least once in each calendar quarter, to be eligible for annual fee waiver.

So, read the MITC and T&C of each CC/DC.

 

[SSV]

Lovely if you want any advice about any card just ask me!
I have no vested interest because I am not getting any commission on any card, so I will be honest, blunt and critical of every card

Except for cards !!

 

[Adith]

Some cards, like RuPay Select from PNB n UBoI, insist yhat you use their card, at least once in each calendar quarter, to be eligible for annual fee waiver.

So, read the MITC and T&C of each CC/DC.

Understood, I'm already doing that but I'll check it a lot more.

I also have lifetime free ICICI cards which I don't use, exccept when I get 33% offers like visa tap and pay.
There is no compulsion to use them at all

This frees up a lot for me since I was forcing myself to use coral , rubyx and money-back+ every month for something or other.

Thanks !

 

[drsel]

Except for cards !!

What to do, Axis has given me a fifth card without doing anything.
They also almost doubled my credit limit.

Let's hope that they buy out some more banks which issue credit cards.
After buying out one major foreign bank Citibank they may now want to buy out another major foreign bank American express in India!