Scams, phishing and online safety
There is a range of simple and effective ways to protect yourself online. Our tips will show you how
to avoid scams, how to spot phishing emails, how to stay safe online and how to keep your Account
details private and secure.
Email phishing is when a fraudster attempts to trick you into doing things, often handing over passwords or verification codes, directed in an email that may initially seem legitimate. Always be cautious when you see emails from recipients you don't recognise.
- The sender calls you something general like 'customer' instead of your name
- They ask you to act urgently, or tell you that unless you do something right away, your account may be suspended or closed
- They ask for your username, password and bank details
- They ask you for a verification code that has been sent to you by text or email
- They want you to open an attachment you weren't expecting
- The email has been sent from a different address from what it appears or it is a free website address
- The email contains spelling or grammar mistakes
- Hover over the senders email address to check it's the same as it appears in an email.
- Don't give out your PIN, password, log-in details or card details
- Don't give out a verification code if you weren't expecting it, even if it's from American Express
- Keep your anti-virus software up to date and install a firewall
- Make sure your spam filter is switched on
Check the sender's address. We will normally email you from these addresses:
@americanexpress.com
@aexp.com
@welcome.aexp.com
@americanexpress.co.uk
@email.americanexpress.com
@welcome.americanexpress.com
@aexpfeedback.com
@alerts.americanexpress.com
@executiveassist.americanexpress.com
Fraudsters may send you a text message that asks you to confirm your Account details. You can spot them in the same way you can spot a phishing email. Contact us straight away if something seems odd.
Report a suspicious email
Report a suspicious email by sending it to:
UKemailfraud@americanexpress.com
Fraudsters may create a fake website that appears legitimate to attempt to trick you into entering your personal information such as your password or PIN. Find out how to check if it's a legitimate website.
- The web address should start with 'http' and end in 's': 'https://' - the 's' stands for secure
- It should have a padlock symbol in the browser address bar
- In some browsers, the address bar or the company name is in green
- Log out of every site, every time you've registered your details. Simply closing the browser isn't enough
- Choose strong, unique passwords (not your child's birthday, for example)
- Keep your anti-virus software up to date and install a firewall
- Hover over the URL to check it's the same as it appears in an email or search engine before clicking it
Check the URL, our websites will normally start with:
https://americanexpress.com
https://network.americanexpress.com
https://global.americanexpress.com
https://online.americanexpress.com
https://consumer-travel.americanexpress.com
Report a suspicious website
Report a suspicious website by sending it to:
UKemailfraud@americanexpress.com
Fraudsters may call you pretending to be from
American Express. This can also be done via 'spoofing', where a fraudster presents their number as ours. They will often ask for personal information such as your account details or a verification code (something we would never, ever do). Find out how to protect yourself against them.
- Someone calls you asking to confirm your Account details
- Someone calls you asking for your PIN, Card details and/or Card security code
- Someone calls you asking for a verification code that has just been sent to you by email or SMS
- They ask you to act urgently, or tell you that unless you do something right away, your Account may be suspended or closed
- Never divulge your Account details or verification codes over the phone
- We will never ask for the 4-digit or 3-digit security code on your Card
- If something doesn't feel right, simply hang up, then call us on the number on the back of your Card
- If we call you, we will only ever ask security questions which require answers in partial form, we will never ask you for your PIN or password
- We will never ask for the 4-digit or 3-digit security code on your Card
- If we call you, we will not send you a verification code via email or text and ask you to confirm it over the phone
- If something doesn't feel right, simply hang up, then call us on the number on the back of your Card
Report a phone scam
Contact us straight away if you think you've been a victim of a phone scam, we're here to help and protect you.
Contact us
Identity Theft
Your details are private. Let's keep it that way.
How we keep your Account safe
Fraud Protection Guarantee
If you do become a victim of fraud, our Fraud Protection Guarantee means you won't be held responsible for any fraudulent charges, provided you've taken resonable care to protect your Account details, PIN and any device you store your Account information on.
Account and fraud alerts
If we spot anything unusual on your Account, we will contact you by text, email or phone call straight away and help you get back on track.