SafeKey & Online Safety
Shop confidently with SafeKey
A safe way to shop. A secure way to pay.
SafeKey. What is it?
Smart authentication technology that works behind the scenes, protecting you against fraud while you shop online by checking it's really you when making a purchase.
How does SafeKey work?
Our smart anti-fraud technology checks each transaction against numerous data points. We may, however, need to check it's really you, if so, we'll send you a text, email or push notification.
Push notification experience
Verification code experience
Verification experience
How to verify your purchase
The Amex App makes verifiying yourself quicker and easier.
Download it here and enable push notifications.
Don't have the Amex App? At times we may need to verify it's really you, so we'll send you a verification code by text and/or email. Once you get it, just tap it in, and you're good to go.
Online Safety
In addition to SafeKey, here are some things to be aware of to help protect yourself when shopping online:
The web address should start with ‘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).
Using a secure password manager may be helpful.
Keep your anti-virus software up to date and install a firewall.
Make sure your spam filter is switched on.
SafeKey FAQ's
American Express SafeKey® is an authentication service which helps prevent unauthorized use of your American Express® Card online by confirming your identity with additional verification information. You may be asked to provide a dynamic One-time Code (OTC) that you receive by email or at your mobile phone number for transactions you make with participating online merchants.
American Express SafeKey® is an authentication service which helps prevent unauthorized use of your American Express® Card online by confirming your identity with additional verification information. You may be asked to provide a dynamic One-time Code (OTC) that you receive by email or at your mobile phone number for transactions you make with participating online merchants.
When you enter your American Express® Card number for payment at a participating online merchant, an American Express SafeKey window will appear automatically. You will be prompted to enter some additional information for verification purposes, which may include an OTC, which will be sent to the mobile phone and/or email address on file for that account. Once you enter the information requested and it is verified, your online transaction will be processed. In some instances, you may be prompted to enter the three-digit number on the back of your Card (3CSC), an OTC, or both the 3CSC and OTC. After the OTC is sent to you, it is valid for 10 minutes. If you do not enter the OTC and complete your transaction during the 10 minutes, you will need to restart the transaction with the merchant.
When you enter your American Express® Card number for payment at a participating online merchant, an American Express SafeKey window will appear automatically. You will be prompted to enter some additional information for verification purposes, which may include an OTC, which will be sent to the mobile phone and/or email address on file for that account. Once you enter the information requested and it is verified, your online transaction will be processed. In some instances, you may be prompted to enter the three-digit number on the back of your Card (3CSC), an OTC, or both the 3CSC and OTC. After the OTC is sent to you, it is valid for 10 minutes. If you do not enter the OTC and complete your transaction during the 10 minutes, you will need to restart the transaction with the merchant.
No, American Express does not charge a fee for this service.
No, American Express does not charge a fee for this service.
As a Card Member, you have been automatically enrolled in American Express SafeKey, so you don't need to take any additional steps to benefit from this online security feature. However, please make sure that any mobile phone numbers and/or email addresses you have on file with us are up-to-date for all your Cards, and advise any Additional Card Members that you may have on your account to update their own information on file with us as well.
As a Card Member, you have been automatically enrolled in American Express SafeKey, so you don't need to take any additional steps to benefit from this online security feature. However, please make sure that any mobile phone numbers and/or email addresses you have on file with us are up-to-date for all your Cards, and advise any Additional Card Members that you may have on your account to update their own information on file with us as well.
You can confirm the mobile phone number and email address you have on file for your American Express Cards either by logging into your online account at americanexpress.com/accountservices to view your Personal Details or by calling the number on the back of your Card.
You can confirm the mobile phone number and email address you have on file for your American Express Cards either by logging into your online account at americanexpress.com/accountservices to view your Personal Details or by calling the number on the back of your Card.
When you check out at a participating online merchant, a portion of your mobile phone number and/or email address to which we have sent the OTC will be displayed. The OTC is automatically sent to both your mobile phone number and email address if we have them on file. If you need to update your contact information, you can follow the prompts within the SafeKey experience or call the number on the back of your Card.
When you check out at a participating online merchant, a portion of your mobile phone number and/or email address to which we have sent the OTC will be displayed. The OTC is automatically sent to both your mobile phone number and email address if we have them on file. If you need to update your contact information, you can follow the prompts within the SafeKey experience or call the number on the back of your Card.
The OTC helps to protect you against online fraud. It is an additional security measure to verify the identity of our Card Members.
The OTC helps to protect you against online fraud. It is an additional security measure to verify the identity of our Card Members.
You will receive the OTC by text message and/or email, depending on which contact details you have on file for the Card that you are using to make your purchase.
You will receive the OTC by text message and/or email, depending on which contact details you have on file for the Card that you are using to make your purchase.
No. This measure only applies for purchases made at participating merchants and only when prompted by the American Express SafeKey verification page. Some transactions will not require an OTC, but may require different verification information, such as your 3CSC.
No. This measure only applies for purchases made at participating merchants and only when prompted by the American Express SafeKey verification page. Some transactions will not require an OTC, but may require different verification information, such as your 3CSC.
Yes, if you do not have a mobile phone number or email address on file you will be prompted to enter this information to receive the OTC and complete your transaction. If you do not have a mobile phone number, you can choose to receive the OTC by email.
Yes, if you do not have a mobile phone number or email address on file you will be prompted to enter this information to receive the OTC and complete your transaction. If you do not have a mobile phone number, you can choose to receive the OTC by email.
You can update your contact details in multiple ways, including:
- Through your online account at americanexpress.com/accountservices
- Via the "Update Contact Details" link on the OTC entry page displayed during checkout, or
- By calling the number on the back of your Card
You can update your contact details in multiple ways, including:
- Through your online account at americanexpress.com/accountservices
- Via the "Update Contact Details" link on the OTC entry page displayed during checkout, or
- By calling the number on the back of your Card
After the OTC is sent to you, it is valid for 10 minutes. If you do not enter the OTC and complete your transaction during the 10 minutes, you will need to restart the transaction with the merchant.
After the OTC is sent to you, it is valid for 10 minutes. If you do not enter the OTC and complete your transaction during the 10 minutes, you will need to restart the transaction with the merchant.
The OTC is valid for 10 minutes after it is generated. The SafeKey page will also expire after 10 minutes, which means you will have to start the entire transaction process again with a new OTC. If you still have not received your OTC after clicking "Resend OTC", check your email junk/spam folder if it was sent to you by email. If you still have not received your OTC, call the number on the back of your Card for support.
The OTC is valid for 10 minutes after it is generated. The SafeKey page will also expire after 10 minutes, which means you will have to start the entire transaction process again with a new OTC. If you still have not received your OTC after clicking "Resend OTC", check your email junk/spam folder if it was sent to you by email. If you still have not received your OTC, call the number on the back of your Card for support.
If the merchant is not participating in American Express® SafeKey, you will not be asked for any SafeKey verification information. Even at participating merchant websites, you may not be required to provide the OTC if other information is requested on the SafeKey screen.
If the merchant is not participating in American Express® SafeKey, you will not be asked for any SafeKey verification information. Even at participating merchant websites, you may not be required to provide the OTC if other information is requested on the SafeKey screen.
No, each Card can have a different mobile phone number or email address associated with it. If a mobile phone number and/or email address has not been put on file for the Additional Cards, you should advise the Additional Card Members on your account to provide that information by logging into their account at americanexpress.com or by calling the number on the back of their Card.
No, each Card can have a different mobile phone number or email address associated with it. If a mobile phone number and/or email address has not been put on file for the Additional Cards, you should advise the Additional Card Members on your account to provide that information by logging into their account at americanexpress.com or by calling the number on the back of their Card.
After the OTC is sent to you, it is valid for 10 minutes. If you do not enter the OTC and complete your transaction during the 10 minutes, you will need to restart the transaction with the merchant.
After the OTC is sent to you, it is valid for 10 minutes. If you do not enter the OTC and complete your transaction during the 10 minutes, you will need to restart the transaction with the merchant.
No, the contact detail update for the Additional Card will not change any details on file for the Basic Card or other Additional Cards. It applies to that Additional Card only.
No, the contact detail update for the Additional Card will not change any details on file for the Basic Card or other Additional Cards. It applies to that Additional Card only.
We will use personal information collected through SafeKey for the purpose of providing the American Express® SafeKey service (for example, to verify your identity or to authorize transactions) and to update your contact details in American Express' systems. Log in to your account on americanexpress.com to view your personal details or make additional changes.
We will use personal information collected through SafeKey for the purpose of providing the American Express® SafeKey service (for example, to verify your identity or to authorize transactions) and to update your contact details in American Express' systems. Log in to your account on americanexpress.com to view your personal details or make additional changes.
Yes, American Express provides online protection for all of our Card Members. As part of our ongoing commitment to protecting your account's security, we launched American Express SafeKey to allow you to shop in an even more secure online environment. Please be assured that you are not liable for fraudulent charges on your account.
Yes, American Express provides online protection for all of our Card Members. As part of our ongoing commitment to protecting your account's security, we launched American Express SafeKey to allow you to shop in an even more secure online environment. Please be assured that you are not liable for fraudulent charges on your account.
If you ever suspect that fraudulent contact information changes or purchases have been made on your account, please call us immediately at the number on the back of your Card.
If you ever suspect that fraudulent contact information changes or purchases have been made on your account, please call us immediately at the number on the back of your Card.
No, you can only use Credit and Charge Cards issued by American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc., American Express National Bank excluding the following:
- American Express® Prepaid Cards
- American Express® Gift Cards
- American Express® Corporate Defined Expense Program Corporate Cards (CDEP)
- American Express® Business Travel Accounts (BTA)
- Buyer Initiated Payments (BIP)
- American Express® Central Bill Meeting Cards (CMC)
- Single use virtual account numbers such as vPayments
- Any other plasticless products
No, you can only use Credit and Charge Cards issued by American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc., American Express National Bank excluding the following:
- American Express® Prepaid Cards
- American Express® Gift Cards
- American Express® Corporate Defined Expense Program Corporate Cards (CDEP)
- American Express® Business Travel Accounts (BTA)
- Buyer Initiated Payments (BIP)
- American Express® Central Bill Meeting Cards (CMC)
- Single use virtual account numbers such as vPayments
- Any other plasticless products
The SafeKey program is designed to require an OTC on some, but not all transactions. Instead of an OTC, you may be asked to provide other verification information, such as your 3CSC.
The SafeKey program is designed to require an OTC on some, but not all transactions. Instead of an OTC, you may be asked to provide other verification information, such as your 3CSC.
Yes, if prompted, you are required to enter the OTC or other verification information to complete a transaction with an American Express SafeKey merchant.
Yes, if prompted, you are required to enter the OTC or other verification information to complete a transaction with an American Express SafeKey merchant.
A transaction could fail for various reasons. If you enter the OTC incorrectly or did not answer certain security questions correctly, access to SafeKey may be blocked. If the OTC wasn't entered within 10 minutes, the transaction will expire. Technical issues in the merchant's payment service could also interrupt the transaction. In each of these cases, you will receive an on-screen notification letting you know what went wrong. If you have any questions, you can always call the number on the back of your Card for help.
American Express will never email you to ask you for sensitive information. If you receive a suspicious email which claims to be from American Express, do not click on any links. If you have any questions, please call the number on the back of your Card.
A transaction could fail for various reasons. If you enter the OTC incorrectly or did not answer certain security questions correctly, access to SafeKey may be blocked. If the OTC wasn't entered within 10 minutes, the transaction will expire. Technical issues in the merchant's payment service could also interrupt the transaction. In each of these cases, you will receive an on-screen notification letting you know what went wrong. If you have any questions, you can always call the number on the back of your Card for help.
American Express will never email you to ask you for sensitive information. If you receive a suspicious email which claims to be from American Express, do not click on any links. If you have any questions, please call the number on the back of your Card.
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