See something on your credit card bill or your online account that doesn’t look right? Make sure you act on these charges right away. Unfamiliar items on your account could be evidence of fraudulent charges, identity theft, or even just basic clerical error. Whatever the cause, you have the right and the responsibility to dispute any charges on your American Express account that you believe to be incorrect.
So how can you dispute charges on your American Express card and what does the dispute process look like?
We’ll get to that in a moment. But first, make sure you’re taking all the appropriate precautions to protect your accounts, your information, and your identity from bad actors. Check out our article on the steps you need to take to keep yourself safe.
Or read on to find out when and how you can dispute charges on your American Express Card.
When should I dispute charges on my AmEx?
The simple answer is–as soon as possible! The sooner you report incorrect charges, the easier it will be to correct them.
This underscores the importance of regularly reviewing your account using your online dashboard at Americanexpress.com or your AmEx mobile app. Wherever you prefer to manage your account, it is simply important that you are regularly reviewing charges, managing payments, and keeping a lookout for anything that doesn’t look right.
According to American Express, situations which might call for you to initiate the disputes process might include:
- Any charges on your online account or monthly statement that you don’t recognize;
- Incorrect charges including duplicate charges, multiple charges with the same merchant, or charges that are larger than what you recall spending on specific purchases.
- Charges for canceled services, returned items or goods you never received.
Any of these charges could be an indication of an honest mistake, or an indication of fraud or identity theft. Whichever the case, it is your responsibility to initiate the dispute process immediately to both correct the erroneous charges and limit any further misuse of your American Express credit card account.
How do I initiate the dispute process?
According to American Express, when you spot an unfamiliar or erroneous charge, you can initiate the dispute process online in these five easy steps:
- Log in to your account at Americanexpress.com.
- Click on the Account Services tab.
- Click on the link to the Inquiry & Dispute Center.
- Select ‘Open a Billing Dispute’ from the Dispute Center menu.
- Identify transactions that you wish to dispute, then provide the requested information in order to complete and submit your dispute claim.
How do I report fraud?
As noted above, some disputes will be based on erroneous charges. For instance, if you note that your credit card has been charged two identical sums for the one bill at a restaurant where you dined last month, this is likely a simple error that can be quickly corrected through the online dispute channel outlined above.
On the other hand, if you spot a dozen charges for extravagant purchases at a list of unfamiliar stores in a country that you’ve never been to, there’s a good chance you’ve been the victim of fraud and identity theft. In this case, you’ll want to skip directly to a phone call.
American Express advises “if you think you’ve been a victim of fraud, we’re here to help. Call us immediately at 1-800-528-4800 (toll free) or log in to your account and chat with us live.”
American Express notes that its security team is available both through 24/7 live chat and by phone to travelers abroad who find themselves in need of urgent round the clock support. So when you see charges that look wrong, don’t hesitate to reach out for live, human support. The sooner you act, the easier it will be to mitigate the damage.
If you have specific questions about what happens next and how you can protect yourself against future misuse of your accounts, reach out to customer service at American Express. Check out our list of contacts to see how you can receive 24/7 support online or by phone.
Tips for Protecting Your American Express Account From Fraud
If you see charges that look wrong, it’s important to act quickly. But a few preventative measures could also save you a whole lot of trouble in the long run. American Express offers a few tips for how to protect yourself against fraudulent or erroneous charges.
- The first step, American Express advises, is to download the AmEx mobile app. This is your direct channel into account management and oversight anywhere, anytime. The best way to protect your accounts is to react quickly to any evidence of misuse. The AmEx mobile app puts all of your statements and purchase information directly at your fingertips at all times. Use this resource to stay on top of all charges at all times.
- AmEx also suggests switching to paperless statements, and using your online account to review your purchases and spending. While you’ll only receive paper statements by mail once a month, managing your account online will give you real-time, 24/7 access to updates and changes in your account.
- And with AmEx alerts, you can receive up to the minute notifications when those changes do occur. The American Express website explains that you can register for card alerts through the online portal or mobile app. This will provide you with real time account monitoring and updates on purchases and charges through text or email. This gives you a chance to respond right away, in real time, when unfamiliar charges pop up.
Curious what other steps your credit card companies must take to ensure your protection, privacy and information security? Check out our article on the ways that your credit card company is working to prevent fraud and identity theft.
How does American Express help merchants manage disputes?
Consumers aren’t the only ones who have to navigate the billing dispute process. Merchants must also deal with disputed charges from customers. Each business has its own unique challenges when it comes to managing and processing these disputes. AmEx offers merchants the tools and resources to effectively navigate the disputes process including a comprehensive Disputes Reference Guide.