My American Express financial dilemma: I was a credit card fraud victim

What was my American Express financial problem, my financial dilemma? I was a credit card fraud victim, prompting my association with the financial professionals from American Express, who solved the problem.

What took place is why I like the American Express credit protection tools and make this simple credit protecting recommendation:

Get an American Express Gold Card

Credit Card Fraud Victim

I noticed my American Express financial statement had some entries I did not recognize. Most were purchases at a specific gas station at first, but then other gas stations began to show up as well.

I decided to check some previous statements to see if there were any other purchases that were not mine. Sure enough, the previous month's statement showed the same pattern of unauthorized credit card purchases -- all were in even dollar amounts that were more than a tank of gas would cost.

Credit Card Fraud Troubleshooting

Now the financial fraud strategy that unfolded made me an extremely satisfied American Express customer. In fact, my association with financial professionals was very delightful and profitable.

I called the number listed on my bill and talked to an American Express representative whose goal was to solve my credit card problem, not to doubt my word.

In fact, their approach was to prompt me to diligently search for other credit card charges I may have missed that were not originated by me or my wife.

Effective Financial Reporting Consultant

Good customer service wins customer confidence every time! They actually treated me as if "the customer is always right!". The courtesy of this financial reporting consultant caused me to be a very satisfied credit card customer.

Dynamic Financial Content

On the American Express financial website I found some dynamic financial content providing information regarding credit card fraud protection.

An article entitled "Fraud Protection tools and services from American Express" is an example of some of the free financial content you can access on their website.

I was relieved that obviously credit card fraud is to American Express a financial concern they take seriously.

Credit card fraud happens whenever someone obtains your credit card account number, and then uses it to make fraudulent purchases. How does this happen?

Credit Card Fraud Possibilities

I had not lost my card. Gasoline purchases on my American Express card were always entered by me at the pump, with no individual actually handling the card. Nor had I lost my credit card, nor had it been stolen.

Here are the credit card fraud possibilities explained to me:

• A dishonest store clerk might make an extra imprint of your card
• A thief can get your account number and expiration date from a discarded receipt
• Someone pretending to be a telemarketer might ask for your card number with the stated intention of entering you in a contest
• A restaurant cashier might swipe your credit card in a small handheld device known as a skimmer, which copies the information on your card including your PIN, in order to make a counterfeit copy of your card.

Credit Card Identity Theft Precautions

American Express Fraud Division's challenge is that we learn more regarding how credit card fraud operators work. Following are some of the tactics credit card fraud thieves use.

Identity theft is a type of fraud in which someone uses your name and personal information to open new accounts, and then makes fraudulent purchases. There are a number of ways your identity can be stolen:

• Discarded credit card and bank statements, insurance notices, and other documents that have your address, account numbers, Social Security number, and other personal information can be used to hijack your identity and open accounts in your name.
• Pre-approved credit card offers that you have discarded (or that a thief intercepts in your mail) can be used by those who steal your identity.