Title says it all. Maxed out the CC on a big project and thought I would pay for the assets that we require with our MUFG Corporate debit card on Amazon. Ordered about 30 things – the next day my inbox flooded with several bounced payments.
I call up the MUFG Busniess to ask if it's some kind of security trigger – it happens with CCs all the time so I get it. They are like "Security is very strict these days, if you create more than one order from a given vendor (including amazon) in a 24 hour period then you must wait to make another purchase."
I'm like… this has to be horseshit – So I insisted on escalating the call. The person above said more or less the same thing with extra steps (more reasoning than customer support scripts.)
So I'm like, fine, just make a note that I'm making purchases and suspend the security flag for a day or two. They're like "大変申し訳ございませんがそれはできません we cannot possible do that… perhaps you could try another payment method?"
So I'm like, "are you kidding me? Most major banks can suspend security willy-nilly for CC's if you get flagged"
and they are like "We still can't do it."
And I'm like… "so you are telling me – that if for example, I purchase a shinkansen ticket for myself and then I need to buy another one separately in the span of 24 hours for, say, my kohai on the KK Debit… you won't do it?"
And they are like "Yes, and perhaps there may be other reasons."
I'm like… "Other reasons? Like what?"
And they are like "We cannot divulge them because it is related to security."
So then finally I'm like – so you are telling me that every major Japanese company who has to use their Debit card, can not buy more than a single item from a single seller on Amazon? And they are like, yes. If the CEO of Coca-f*ing-Cola Japan has to buy something from Amazon, do they only get one purchase every 24 hours?
This just beggars belief. I called back and asked a different agent, because it just seems ridiculous on it's face.. and they gave me the same answer, so it must indeed be true.
I have a bag of money with a yen sign on it and can't purchase goods and services for my enterprise.
Am I the one that's crazy here? If so by all means, please, let me know – I'd rather learn something from this experience than be ignorant if this is indeed my bad somehow.
… my gut instinct screams to just go open an account with literally any other bank in Japan.
by Desperate_Tutor1372
5 comments
Have you tried Upsider Credit Card? They approved me for ¥300,000 initially, and after 3-4 months they upped me to ¥1,000,000 without me asking. I make many purchases without issues. Also has a good online interface. Hope your project goes well.
Not that I have experience with MUFG or debit cards (I rarely use mine), but I can say that I never had this problem with a proper credit card.
Given the fact that some businesses don’t accept debit cards at all I’d my only suggestion would be to apply for a separate credit card.
Lol. Try EPOS or other more consumer oriented company. Problem with large banks in Japan is that they have been family owned since the beginning and because they are protected by the government there is no real competition. I use EPOS Owner Credit card and Platinum card to do most of my business in Japan. I use wise for my debit card since I don’t manage my cash in Japanese yen anyways.
If they’re that bad, you could always look at something with a few less protections like a Wise Business account (debit card incl.)
Not saying they’ll work everywhere like gas stations or ATMs but online payments should be simple and it’s not a loan application.
Use the debit card to buy a bunch of Amazon Gift Cards **FROM AMAZON**. (Don’t use the 3rd party sites, you will find some of the cards on them are fake.)
Then add the gift card amounts to your Amazon account and use them as you need.
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