Prankster Gets An Amex For Obama

[tylerdee]

Can't he get in trouble for this?

John Hargrave, from the comedy Web site Zug.com, called American Express posing as Barack Obama's assistant. He said Obama wanted a Centurion card and asked if the high-dollar requirements could be waived. The card links to the prankster's bank account, but it looks like Obama is making the purchase every time Hargrave buys something. Hargrave's next step is to decide what to buy and whom to send it to. He is taking suggestions, but so far sending a ham to John McCain’s house is in the lead.
Rest of story here

[TornadoTN]

1. Isn't that frauduently representing yourself to gain credit?

I can guarantee if I had done this, I would be be in deep trouble.

[ET Awful]

3. He did NOT apply for credit or use Obamas name to get credit, he already had an account

and added Obama as an authorized user.

Anyone can be added as an authorized user to an account. It's an odd loophole (especially since if you have an account that's been in good standing for 15 years, and you add an authorized user to your account, they all of a sudden have that 15 year history on their credit report. This "AU" game is one method that was used to boost FICO scores of people with poor credit to help them get mortgage approvals).

[TornadoTN]

5. Ah gotcha - I admit I didnt read that far

Thanks for the clarification.

[ET Awful]

7. Actually, I was only half-right.

He TRIED to get the Centurion verbally and was shot down. After that, he went the AU route.

[kirby]

2. Sounds like Identity Theft to me... Bad move n/t

[mrcheerful]

4. I call BS, thats identity theft and that is a crime even if the person does nothing with

the card. Could it happen? Do you really think Obama's is that lax on security of his identity? Maybe it could have happened in 1999 when identity theft was rare, but in 2008?

[tylerdee]

8. I'm just surprised the Obama campaign hasn't dealt with this yet

[darkism]

6. The Centurion is one sweet card.

Also the minimum spending requirement is $250k a year so Joe the Plumber won't be getting one!