What is a Compromised Card?
A Compromised Card is a Credit or Charge Card that is at risk of being used for fraudulent activity. Cards can be compromised following the theft of a computer, an unauthorised network intrusion, or other types of suspicious activity. Cards can also be compromised during a transaction where you shop or as your Card number and payment information travel electronically through a processing system. Examples of this include:
- Shop clerks taking extra imprints of your Card.
- Thieves obtaining your Card Account details from discarded receipts.
- A cashier swipes your Card in a handheld device known as a skimmer.
- Phishing attacks.
How does American Express Middle East react to compromise notifications?
We take every compromise case very seriously. If you are the victim of a compromise case, we will issue you a Replacement Card. Moreover, if we come to learn of a known attack in advance, we will endeavor to notify you over the phone or by e-mail and/or written notification.
What is a Replacement Card? Will this be different from the Card I hold now?
A Replacement Card is identical to the current Card you hold, however the number on your Card will be changed to prevent any fraudulent activity. Please note that your Card Account Number will remain the same and all your previous Account history will remain.
What do I do when I receive my new Card?
Cut up the old Compromised Card and start using the Replacement Card immediately. Your Replacement Card will need to be activated.
Is there a charge for the Replacement Card?
No, there is no charge for your Replacement Card.
What if I do not want to have my Compromised Card blocked?
Compromises are serious. Fraudulent activity may occur if the Card is not blocked and it could occur days, weeks, or months later. While many Cardmembers do not experience fraud when a compromise is reported, the risk of exposure still exists if the Card is not blocked and replaced. To protect our Cardmembers and minimise inconvenience and losses, American Express Middle East blocks/replaces all Compromised Cards.
What if I have preauthorised transactions made to my Compromised Card Number?
You should contact the merchant(s) immediately upon receipt of your Replacement Card(s) and provide them with the new Card number and expiration date.
There are other Supplementary Cardmembers on these Card Accounts; does this affect their Card(s) too?
It may, but each Card Number is unique. If your Supplementary Cardmembers were also compromised, we will take the same measures with each of those Cards as we have with yours.
Can this information be used to steal my Identity?
The information encoded on the Compromised Card pertains strictly to the Card, potentially including the Card number and expiration date. Confidential information such as national ID or passport number, addresses and dates of birth are not stored on the Card.