American Express Alert: Potential Data Breach

American Express Co. has recently notified a select group of its cardholders regarding a possible breach of their account details. This breach took place at a merchant processor, although the precise number of affected customers has not been disclosed.

In a notice filed last week with Massachusetts regulators, American Express stated that both current and previously issued card account numbers, expiration dates, and customer names may have been compromised.

Anneke Covell, the vice president of U.S. & AENB privacy at AmEx, clarified that the breach occurred at a third-party service provider used by multiple merchants. However, AmEx’s internal systems remained untouched by this incident.

Despite the breach, the AmEx team assured customers that they are actively monitoring the affected accounts for any signs of fraudulent activity. They emphasized that customers will not be held liable for any unauthorized charges. To stay vigilant, AmEx urged its customers to regularly review their accounts for fraudulent activities and ensure that their contact information is up to date. It also encouraged customers to sign up for instant notifications of suspicious activities.

In response to inquiries, AmEx declined to disclose the exact number of potentially affected customers or the geographical extent of the breach. However, it reiterated that the breach did not directly target American Express or any of its service providers.

For those who notice any suspicious activities on their accounts, AmEx provided a dedicated helpline: 1-855-693-2213.

Financial institutions like AmEx are required to report such incidents under various circumstances. For example, if a breach occurs at a retailer where a consumer used their bank-issued card, the financial institution must report it, according to a blog post on the Massachusetts state website cited by AmEx.

While American Express assured customers of its sophisticated monitoring systems and internal safeguards, it urged customers to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities promptly.