Q: It is possible to apply for the card online, or by phone, although online is quicker.  To apply by phone, contact the Apply By Phone Team at 877-621-2639. They are open 24 hours a day. Once on the phone simply answer the questions, and be sure to have your social security number ready. To apply online, follow the remaining steps. Choose the option for the Platinum Card and click "Apply now."  If you have an existing American Express account, sign in. If you are a new customer, choose the option to create a new account. You must complete the American Express Platinum Card application in a single online session. Navigating away from the application or closing your browser will cause the application to time out for security reasons. Make sure to follow instructions carefully and not leave any required spaces blank.  Enter your name as you want it to appear on the charge card. Enter your name, your email and home addresses, your social security number and your date of birth in the designated spaces in the personal data section. Provide any additional information requested on the Platinum Card application. Fill in the employment section with your company's name, city, state and business phone number. Proceed to the financial information section.  Enter your total annual household income and choose the income source from the drop-down menu.  Check the boxes to indicate whether you have a checking account and money market/savings account. Indicate whether you would like to obtain additional American Express Platinum Cards on your account and fill out the information requested for additional cardholders. American Express may notify you of a decision within 60 seconds. You should receive notification by mail within 10 days.
A: Choose an application method. Open the American Express website to begin your application. Fill in the required information. Verify your information and submit the application.

Article: Another approach is to talk to people who might be able to provide information about your loved one's policy. A good place to start is with people your loved one worked for.  Ask employers if your loved one purchased life insurance as part of a company benefits package.  Additionally, you can inquire with unions or associations that your loved one belonged to. Sometimes these entities offer life insurance. Close associates of your loved one like friends or other family members might know if she or he had insurance. They may be able to tell you where to find information about the policy. People often discuss their insurance policies with these individuals. Try to speak with the attorney who drafted your loved one’s will. They may have discussed life insurance during the drafting of the will. Often consumers will buy more than one insurance product through the same agent. Contact any agent or agents who sold your loved one an automobile or property insurance policy and ask if they also sold a life insurance policy. These agents may have also sold your loved one a life insurance policy or referred him or her to someone who did.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Talk to employers. Talk to friends or family members. Ask your loved one's attorney or accountant. Talk to the insurance agent for a different policy.

Q: Credit reporting companies offer free or lower cost credit locks, which are not the same as a credit freeze. A credit lock is just a contractual agreement between you and a reporting bureau. While locks and freezes essentially do the same thing, credit freezes are guaranteed by state law, so you'll have absolutely no risk of financial liability.  If you freeze your credit and someone opens a new line of credit in your name, you’ll be legally protected from any financial liability. A credit lock doesn’t offer this same legal protection. Furthermore, a lock contract with the reporting company could include undesirable terms. For example, a credit lock agreement could prohibit you from participating in a class action lawsuit if something goes wrong. Freezes do not involve a contractual agreement, and the reporting bureau would be liable for any losses. Note that credit freezes and locks do not affect your credit score. In order to freeze your credit, you have to contact all 3 nationwide credit reporting companies. Inform the customer service agent that you want a credit freeze. You’ll need to provide your name, date of birth, Social Security number, and other personal information.  Call Equifax at 1-800-349-9960 or visit https://www.freeze.equifax.com/Freeze/jsp/SFF_PersonalIDInfo.jsp. Call Experian at 1‑888‑397‑3742 or visit https://www.experian.com/freeze/center.html. Call TransUnion at 1-888-909-8872 or visit http://www.transunion.com/freeze. Fees depend on your location and are typically between $5 and $10. In some states, credit freezes are free if you’re 65 or older. When you’re on the phone with the reporting companies, ask each for a mailing address. If you filed online, check their website for the mailing address that processes freeze requests. Include your name, address, date of birth, and the date that you requested the freeze.  If you’re the victim of identity theft, include a police report with the letter you send to the reporting companies. A written letter will provide proof that you requested a freeze on a certain date. If something goes wrong, such as someone opening a line of credit in your name, it's helpful to have documentation that you exercised due diligence. You'll be able to prove that you shouldn't be liable for fraudulent charges because the reporting bureau failed to execute your freeze request. Each reporting company will send a written confirmation. It will include instructions about lifting the freeze and a PIN you’ll need in order to lift it. Store these documents in a secure place, such as a safe. A credit freeze will prevent anyone from running an inquiry into your credit history. While freezes expire after 7 years in some states, they remain in place indefinitely in the vast majority of states. If you apply for a new line of credit, job, or apartment lease, you’ll need to lift the freeze so the company can run an inquiry.  If you'll frequently be applying for lines of credit, leases, and jobs, you might want to lift your security freezes permanently instead of paying fees to temporarily thaw them every few months. Ask a new creditor, leasing company, or potential employer which reporting company they’ll use to check your credit. That way, you can lift the freeze with that company alone instead of having to pay fees to have all 3 lift your freeze. Follow the instructions in the confirmation letters to lift the freeze. You’ll call the reporting company or go online, provide your personal information and PIN, and specify the dates you want the freeze thawed.
A:
Opt for a freeze instead of a lock. Call each of the credit reporting companies. Pay each reporting company a fee. Send written freeze requests to each reporting agency. Keep your confirmation letters and PINs safe. Lift the freeze if you’re applying for new credit, a lease, or a job.