I received a phone call from an 800# tonight to ask about potential fraud attempts on my Amex Platinum card. The number was 1-800-525-3355. When I search for that number online it shows that this is the number for the concierge desk.
I speak with the person on the phone who reports two attempts to use my card that they have flagged as potential fraud. He states the last five-digits on my card and asks me to confirm that i still have the card with me. I live in California and still have my card with me. A $600+ purchase attempt at a Walmart in Florida and a $400 ATM withdrawal attempt in the same state. I was looking for the charges on my mobile app but could not find them. I denied that both of the charges were mine and the representative on the phone said he would cancel my card. But here’s where it got fishy...
He said he needed to confirm the four-digits on the front of my card in order to cancel it (for Amex it is four-digits and on the front of the card, but similar to the three-digits on the back of the card for most other credit cards). That seemed strange that they would call me and then need to confirm my information after identifying fraud. I told the person I was uncomfortable with that and that I would call Amex directly.
Once I called Amex directly, they confirmed that my card was not flagged for fraud and that they don’t show any of those charge attempts that were reported to me. So, it seems like someone had my name, card number, and phone number, but still needed the four-digits on the front to commit fraud. Amex immediately cancelled my card and they are rushing a new one to me.
Just a heads up to always be vigilant and to always make sure you are talking to an actual representative at your credit card company!
Submitted May 03, 2019 at 10:02PM by hennyfive http://bit.ly/2VNsbae
