I’ve used credit cards for about six years and never experienced fraud on my card—until recently, when someone attempted a series of charges on my American Express Platinum Travel card. There were three suspicious charges. Here’s what happened.
Credit Card Fraud Prevention
American Express Fraud Prevention in Action – The full story:
Charge #1
One afternoon I received a message from American Express notifying me of a $1 iTunes charge. I hadn’t added the card to my iTunes account and was puzzled.
Note: Small charges like this are often used to test whether a stolen card works. In this case the test charge succeeded.
Charge #2
While I was still processing the first alert, another attempt for $16 appeared. This time American Express’ security flagged and declined the transaction, and I received an alert via SMS and email.
I realized what was happening and called phone banking to block the card.
Charge #3
After explaining the situation to the customer service representative, I was connected to the security team. During that call I received another notification: a $5 charge had been attempted and, this time, it went through—likely because it was a very small amount. I reported this during the call. After a brief verification the representative blocked the card and ordered a replacement.
I was assured these fraudulent charges would not be billed to my account.
Peace. Of. Mind.Total call time: ~3 minutes
How does this protection work?
These attempted charges fall under an American Express benefit often called “Lost Card Liability.” In short, Amex investigates and disputes fraudulent transactions on your behalf. When I asked, they explained:
“American Express will dispute the transaction with the merchant using provided information and fraud intelligence. Even if the merchant wins the case, we’ll absorb the loss for you.”
That level of protection is reassuring.
Chargebacks and disputes with other banks
This was the first time I’d faced fraud, but I’ve disputed transactions before when goods or services weren’t delivered. Those disputes are similar in concept but usually more cumbersome.
For example, with some issuers you must download and fill a dispute form, provide a detailed explanation and supporting information, then wait—often up to 60 days—for a final decision. During the review you typically receive a provisional credit so you’re not billed. Many banks follow this process.
Important: With many banks you’re not fully guaranteed protection. You may win or lose the dispute; if the issuer rules against you, you may be liable for the charge.
This is where American Express stands out: their process is faster and smoother, and you can be highly confident you’ll get refunded. That reliability is a major reason I use Amex for purchases on foreign sites.
How to reduce the risk of future fraudulent charges
#1 Card cloning and contactless reading is increasingly common. A reader app on an NFC-capable phone can sometimes capture contactless card details—often everything except the CVV.
Moral: contactless cards can be vulnerable. Someone could skim card information with a quick tap near your wallet. Some foreign payment gateways can process transactions without a CVV, increasing the risk.
#2 Online transactions
No website is completely immune to data breaches. I suspect my card details leaked from a website where I previously used the card. Because of that risk, I often use American Express cards on new or less-known sites and accept slightly higher markup charges for the added fraud protection. For larger purchases I prefer cards with lower foreign-transaction markups and use PayPal where possible, since it adds another layer of security.
Pro tip: Consider replacing frequently used cards annually.
Bottom line
American Express offers strong fraud prevention, dispute handling and fast card replacement worldwide. Because Amex functions as both issuer and network, they can manage disputes directly with merchants and often provide better protection than many other issuers.
If you travel frequently or shop on many international sites, an American Express card can offer extra peace of mind. Consider which Amex product suits your needs and balance any higher fees against the protection it provides.
Have you ever faced fraudulent transactions on your credit card? Share your experience in the comments below.