Protection

Credit card fraud is a form of theft. A criminal uses your card account to buy merchandise, either to keep or to sell for cash.

There are many ways thieves can access your account. The most obvious way is to steal the card itself, but there are several more devious methods. Crooks may go through your trash to find discarded receipts or statements; that’s called dumpster diving. A dishonest store clerk or restaurant worker may make an extra imprint of your card, or use an illegal device that stores data collected from card swipes; that’s called skimming. A huckster on the phone may manipulate a victim in to divulging card information under a legitimate-sounding pretext, or send an email that looks like it’s from your bank or card company, requesting account details; this is phishing or spoofing.

Remember that when you use your American Express Card, you are not liable for fraudulent purchases. In addition, American Express has sophisticated monitoring systems and controls in place to detect fraudulent activity and protect our Cardmembers’ Accounts from misuse. If we detect activity on your account that we believe is fraudulent, we may contact you for verification.

Here are a few steps you can take to protect yourself. For more information, visit the American Express Fraud Protection Center.

Do:

• Sign your card as soon as it arrives.
• Only carry cards when you know you’ll be using them, to reduce the chances of loss or theft.
• Keep a record of your account numbers, their expiration dates, and the phone number and address of each issuer in a secure place, so that you can quickly report a lost or stolen card.
• Keep a watchful eye on your card when it’s being swiped, and get it back as quickly as possible.
• Save all of your receipts to compare with monthly billing statements.
• Open bills and reconcile accounts promptly.
• Report any questionable charges to the card issuer as soon as you identify them. Depending on the card company, you may need to make your report in writing. American Express Cardmembers can report questionable charges simply by calling the customer service number of the back of the Card.
• Notify card companies promptly of a change in address.
• Shred statements, unused balance transfer convenience checks or credit card applications, and any other correspondence or documents with your name, address and account number on them.
• Check your credit history at least once a year with the three credit reporting agencies: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.
• Sign up for a fraud-alert service, which is offered by the three credit reporting agencies as well as by many card companies. If a new card account has been opened, by you or anyone pretending to be you, or if there are any changes to your credit file, you’ll see it on the report.

Don’t:

• Lend your card to anyone.
• Leave cards or receipts lying around — at your house or on a table in a restaurant.
• Sign a blank receipt.
• Give out your account number over the phone unless you initiate the call and you trust the company or organization you’re calling.
• Enter your account number on an unsecured website. A secured website has a URL that begins with HTTS, rather than HTTP.
• Recite your credit card number when you’re using a cell phone in public.
• Respond to any e-mail that requests personal information for “verification” or any other reason, even if you are directed to a website that looks legitimate.
• Divulge the three- or four-digit security number on your card to a telemarketer, even if that person claims to represent the anti-fraud department of your card company.

Reporting Losses and Fraud

If you lose a credit or charge card, if you think it’s been lost or stolen, or if you think you are the victim of card fraud, immediately call the issuer. By law, once you report the loss or theft, your maximum liability for unauthorized charges is $50 per card.

If you suspect fraud, you may be asked to sign a statement that you did not make the purchase(s) in question.

For More Information:

The Federal Trade Commission works to prevent fraudulent, deceptive and unfair business practices in the marketplace. To file a complaint or to get free information on consumer issues, visit www.ftc.gov or call 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357); TTY: 1-866-653-4261.