If this is your primary job, what do you use as a job title when you do a credit card shop?

I see no reason to state my true occupation as long as I do not inflate my income. My tax return says "consultant" on my Schedule C. That is good enough for the IRS. I just financed a new (to me) vehicle. Asked for more detail I said that I did free lance work helping companies develop effective employee training materials.

Based in MD, near DC
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel

Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.

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My point was more about people using differnt occupations each time they open a new credit card. To me, it seems more sensible to pick one and stick with it. Like I posted earlier in response to bgriffin, there's no need to go into detail about it. Consultant, self-employed, etc. is good enough to use each time.

At this point in time, if shopping for a Lamborghini, I am a "Football" commentator wife. (Commentator because of my age. Otherwise, I'm a cougar

). My husband is away working games. As for who he is, I AM an avid football fan, and can definitely identify an appropriate college or pro commentator.

When you learn, teach, when you get, give. Maya Angelou

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/22/2019 06:16PM by CureMS.

@JASFLALMT wrote:

When you open credit card accounts like the OP did, shouldn't you keep your employment title consistent and truthful, though? I thought it was illegal to give false information on a credit card application?

@sestrahelena wrote:

"House cleaning", if the scenario doesn't require a large net worth. "Recently inherited a lot of money" if it does.

Sorry, I did not see where an actual application was submitted. I read it as an inquiry with a banker/rep about a credit card. Maybe I've done too many role-playing inquiry shops!

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/23/2019 12:58AM by sestrahelena.

@JASFLALMT wrote:

Market research specialist

I also use that one more than any other. However, when I first met my wife and she asked me what I did for a living, I told her I was a spy. I once told a customs officer, when entering the U.S., that I was a private investigator. He said welcome back.

My most recent credit card shops were inquiry not opens so I embellish more to find out what cards they will sell to a more affluent client. If you're opening a card up, you absolutely should not do that.

This may sound naive, but I thought when you applied they checked with the IRS for:

1.) income
2.) accuracy of job title
3.) sufficient income (don't you need to make like $12,000-ish to qualify for a credit card?....I know I DON'T make that much from ms-ing....not even gross sadly....net is way, way, way lower)

I know they check something/some system....is it not the IRS? And would the IRS have your accurate deets? I know they don't just give anyone a cc, as it's a risk. And if it didn't match, would you be denied?

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/01/2019 03:18PM by shoptastic.

They check with one of the credit bureaus. The IRS would not and does not release that information without a court order. Each bank sets its own criteria for issuing a credit card, and at the bottom end (poor credit) are pre-paid and secured credit cards. As far as I can recall, the IRS has never asked for my job title on an income tax return. I don't think the credit bureaus know that either. And job titles vary from one company to another. Every bank branch I visit seems to have a Vice-President present. So - a span of control of 24 people (maybe)? A large Fortune 100 company would ikely have a vice-president with a span of control of a thousand people. Or maybe not.

@shoptastic wrote:

This may sound naive, but I thought when you applied they checked with the IRS for:

1.) income
2.) accuracy of job title
3.) sufficient income (don't you need to make like $12,000-ish to qualify for a credit card?....I know I DON'T make that much from ms-ing....not even gross sadly....net is way, way, way lower)

I know they check something/some system....is it not the IRS? And would the IRS have your accurate deets? I know they don't just give anyone a cc, as it's a risk. And if it didn't match, would you be denied?

Shopping Southeast Pennsylvania, Delaware above the canal, and South Jersey since 2008

Today I was surprised to be offered a great fee, plus a great bonus, to do a phone shop to apply for a personal loan. I had applied for this a long time ago and thought it must have been long gone. When I read the guidelines it said, "You must be employed." So, I contacted the scheduler to confirm that self-employed was acceptable (since loan qualification process is often different for SE folks.) In a nutshell, here is her response,
SE is fine. Just do not give your occupation as Mystery Shopper. I have had two different shoppers do that already this month.:"

Based in MD, near DC
Shopping from the Carolinas to New York
Have video cam; will travel

Poor customer service? Don't get mad; get video.

@walesmaven wrote:

Today I was surprised to be offered a great fee, plus a great bonus, to do a phone shop to apply for a personal loan. I had applied for this a long time ago and thought it must have been long gone. When I read the guidelines it said, "You must be employed." So, I contacted the scheduler to confirm that self-employed was acceptable (since loan qualification process is often different for SE folks.) In a nutshell, here is her response,
SE is fine. Just do not give your occupation as Mystery Shopper. I have had two different shoppers do that already this month.:"

Oh brother!

I should be surprised, but I am not. Yikes!

@walesmaven wrote:

"... In a nutshell, here is her response, SE is fine. Just do not give your occupation as Mystery Shopper. I have had two different shoppers do that already this month.:"

Shopping Southeast Pennsylvania, Delaware above the canal, and South Jersey since 2008

@myst4au wrote:

As far as I can recall, the IRS has never asked for my job title on an income tax return.

I wrote in secret shopper (teacher and tutor) on mine. Not sure if it's required, but I recall a box for it. (maybe just optional)

Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 10/13/2019 08:19AM by shoptastic.

@walesmaven wrote:

Today I was surprised to be offered a great fee, plus a great bonus, to do a phone shop to apply for a personal loan. I had applied for this a long time ago and thought it must have been long gone. When I read the guidelines it said, "You must be employed." So, I contacted the scheduler to confirm that self-employed was acceptable (since loan qualification process is often different for SE folks.) In a nutshell, here is her response,
SE is fine. Just do not give your occupation as Mystery Shopper. I have had two different shoppers do that already this month.:"

I saw a shop similar to that and did not apply for it. The shop rules said you needed to be employed. I just assumed they did not include mystery shopping as obviously anyone who applied for and got that job would be employed as a mystery shopper so why even mention it? I guess it could be your first job so you are not yet a mystery shopper. But as for employment, at my age I can easily say I am retired. Since much of the wealth in this country is concentrated in us older people that should not be a deal breaker. In fact I got a new credit card last month..no one ever asked me for my occupation. For the same reason I see no reason why someone who says they receive social security should be rejected. A social security check is much more stable than a job you might get fired from. And just because you receive social security that does not mean you have no other sources of money.

I did that once the guy said " thats not really a job is it?" I said "no, just kidding, I do merchandising" lol

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If this is your primary job, what do you use as a job title when you do a credit card shop?

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