Fraudulent Charge stopped by AMEX

[VacationForever]

Tonight I got an email alert about a potentially fraudulent charge that was denied by Amex. The amount was $900 through "SQUARE". Called AMEX and the card was cancelled immediately and a replacement will be sent in a few days' time - I have a head cold but I don't remember if he said the soonest is this Wed or next Wed. I use credit card for everything and run 6-digit figure on my cc every year (yes, I need to work on controlling my spending). But this is the first time in all these years that my cc was compromised.

Which brings to mind a problem that what if it happens when I am overseas? I normally carry no more than 2 cc when I travel (separate brand - Amex and Visa). But if something like that happens when I am overseas and my card gets cancelled while waiting for a new card, I would be stranded. I do not carry ATM card with me because I think it is a security risk. Anyone encountered this issue while travelling overseas with limited credit access?

 

[Ken555]

Amex and other banks will simply send you a new credit card to your hotel. I had this done once and while they said they would have it printed and sent from Europe it actually was sent from the States...and I took about three business days to arrive (I had to have them change delivery address to a different hotel in the interim). In any case, it's no big deal - that's why you have a secondary card.

Btw, Square is a well known credit card processor. It's likely a merchant of theirs processed your card.


Sent from my iPad

 

[DeniseM]

I think you'd be OK with 2 different brands of credit cards - it's probably really unlikely that they would both be compromised at the same time.

 

[Talent312]

My DW had her wallet nicked outside Buckingham Palace and both her cards were cancelled within minutes, but not before the thief tried to use 'em at an ATM (the fools). Fortunately, I had a card from a different bank. These days, we try to leave one card in the hotel safe as a back-up.

I just rec'd a letter from Cap-One saying that my data had been stolen from a merchant with which I did business and they will cancel and replace my card. It would a been nice if they'd named the merchant. <sigh>.
.

 

[Mr. Vker]

Happened to us in Rome. My wife's wallet was stolen on the subway-from her zipped purse. They are expert!

Anyway, we always carry different CC's for this reason. She also lost her DL.

To replace her Amex, we went to an Amex Travel Center near the Spanish Steps the next morning. They created a new Amex for her on site. Worked instantly. The nice thing about Amex is that all card numbers on the same account are different. So, when I cancelled her card, mine still worked.

Great service and a great card to travel with.

 

[Ann-Marie]

We had someone steal our Amex CC number. Amex called us about it, and they over nighted us a new card. Had it the next day. Bank of America, same issue, but they wanted to send the new card via regular mail. I told them if they could not over night it, cancel my account. I had a new one the next day!

 

[pedro47]

We had someone steal our Amex CC number. Amex called us about it, and they over nighted us a new card. Had it the next day. Bank of America, same issue, but they wanted to send the new card via regular mail. I told them if they could not over night it, cancel my account. I had a new one the next day!

Thanks for sharing that suggestion.