Credit Card Scare

So I’m sitting in my hotel room here in Vegas a few days ago, working, when an email shows up, apparently from American Express.

The subject of the email was “Fraud Protection Alert” and it said that they recently refused to authorize a charge on my AmEx card, as they suspected fraud.  They asked me to confirm that I had recently attempted to make a purchase from “Stone Mountain Park Silver Dollar.”  It was a small charge, only $12.50.

I never heard of Stone Mountain Park Silver Dollar.  Clearly, this wasn’t me.  I started to access the website included in the email to dispute it, but then stopped myself.  I knew that it there are nefarious people out there sending out “phishing” emails to steal your identity and your credit card numbers.  It looked like it was from American Express.  But the crookes are really good at making it look like their scam emails are official.

In fact, I almost fell for one a few months back.  I got something that looked like it came from PayPal, telling me my account would be deactivated if I didn’t click the link they provided and update some of my personal information.  I actually started to log onto the site when I suspected something phishy.  I called the PayPal folks and was told they had sent me no such email.  Phew.  Just to be safe, I changed my password.

So rather than use the link provided, I got my AmEx card and started calling the number on the back.  Before I finished dialing, I got a call, took it, and it was a recorded announcement, presumably from AmEx, asking me about a charge.  Now I was pretty sure it was legit, but to be safe, I hung up and called AmEx directly.

Well, indeed, they had just declined two attempts to charge something from Stony Mountain Park Silver Dollar.  Since I had my credit card with me—and there’s only one card in my name—they had somehow gotten my card number.  I wonder how?

I also wondered why they suspected that it was not me using the card. My account is in good order and they rejected it not because I was over my credit limit, but because they suspected something was wrong.  I didn’t get an answer for that, but I think the source attempting to charge my card is somewhat suspect.

But...good job, AmEx, for catching this before it resulted in a massive headache for me.

Anyway, there was no alternative but to immediately cancel my card and send me a replacement with a new card number.  Fortunately, I have other credit cards I could use until the replacement card arrived.

Of course, I won’t be home for awhile, so I had them FedEx the replacement card to the hotel where I’m staying.  And in fact, it arrived here yesterday, and I’m good to go.

Still, it’s scary, and let this be a warning to all of you.