How to identify scams & prevent fraud
Our tips will show you how to identify various scams, keep your
details secure and allow you to continue to use your
American Express® Card with confidence.
How can you be sure that it’s American Express contacting you?
We will never call you and ask for the following:
Full ID details
One-time verification codes
Logins and passwords
Your Card details or PIN
Stay safe. Here’s how to spot common scams.
How to identify a phone scam
VISHING
If you receive a call from someone claiming to be from American Express and
asking you to confirm with them any type of verification code, this is most likely
a vishing scam. Fraudsters can also use a scam called spoofing, presenting their
own number as American Express.
One time verification codes can be used to make an eCommerce transaction,
add Card details to a mobile phone (Digital Wallet) enabling fraudulent spend or
to access your MYCA account to retrieve sensitive information or carry out
unauthorised maintenance which will facilitate fraud.
Scammers will often claim that they need your SafeKey Verification Code to
confirm your identity or protect you against suspicious activity on your account.
In fact, they need SafeKey Verification Codes to approve fraudulent transactions.
The only time American Express will ask you for a one-time code is when you call
us.
How to identify an email scam
PHISHING
Email phishing is when a scammer attempts to trick you into sharing private information, often posing as the Post Office, government or other reputable organisations to obtain your Card details.
Keep an eye out for three giveaway signs:
1. The sender doesn’t use your name but asks you to take action
2. The email asks you to enter personal information
3. The email is sent from a different address or from a free email account, e.g (hotmail.com, gmail.com, yahoo.com)
How to identify a sms scam
SMISHING
Similar to phone scams, scammers may text you pretending to be from
American Express, or other well-known organisations. They may also make the
fraudulent messages appear in the same message string as a genuine SMS from
American Express.
Keep an eye out for these three giveaway signs:
1. The SMS is unexpected and asks you to take action to avoid consequences
2. The message contains a link and instructs you to click on it
3. The message has spelling and grammar mistakes
How to identify a gift card scam
If you receive a call, text message or email from someone asking you to
buy gift cards
They may be claiming to be from:
- American Express
- Your Bank
- Your boss or CEO
- HMRC
- The police
If so, this is likely to be a scam. No reputable organisation will request to
be paid using Gift Cards.
If a person you’ve met online asks for personal information
or offers you a pre-paid or Supplementary Card, it is most likely a scam.
While plenty of successful relationships begin online, scammers also use dating
sites or social media apps and chat rooms to create fake profiles.
Scammers will not ask you for your details upfront. They
will build your trust and play on your emotions until it feels safe for you to
share your personal information with them.
- They might offer you additional income or acredit or pre-paid card and tell you they will pay for it
- They might ask you to pay for expenses or to
send them gift cards because of unexpected problems they have to resolve
urgently
Stay safe. Here’s how to spot common scams.
If you’re in any doubt about a text, email or phone call you receive, call the
number on the back of your Card to speak to American Express
Important Checks
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
- 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
- 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
How we keep your Account safe
Intelligent Security
Our industry leading fraud detection technology helps protect your Account from fraud 24/7. With advanced machine learning and a team of dedicated fraud experts, you can shop with confidence anytime, anywhere.
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 reasonable 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 in your spending patterns, you’ll receive an instant alert by text or email. In one click, you can tell us if it was you or not. Our Fraud Alerts are simple, fast and come free with your Account.
SafeKey® Verification
Smart authentication technology that works behind the scenes, protecting you agathe scenes, protecting you against fraud while you shop online by checking it’s really you when making a purchase. Find out more here.
Identity Theft
Your details are private. Let’s keep it that way.
