How To Fix American Express Credit Card Fraud (2026 guide)

This article will walk you through my proprietary 4 step process to delete both fraudulent charges and fraudulently opened American Express accounts from your credit reports.

Im Ali Zane, a credit advocate with 20 years of experience at Imax Credit Repair

My associate attorneys and I have resolved 100% of legitimate American Express fraud cases using this process.

Here is the 4 step process we’ll follow:

• 1️⃣ Call American Express’s fraud dept (try to resolve immediately)
• 2️⃣ File FTC + police reports (this activates your strongest rights)
• 3️⃣ Mail disputes to American Express + bureaus (with proof)
• 4️⃣: Pursue legal remedies + money damages if they don’t resolve issue

Here’s the best part – I offer free help‼️ (seriously)

If you’ve got Amex fraud charges or fraudulently opened account,.

as a credit advocate I can help you with $0 cost out of your pocket.

As I can get our legal fees paid by the bank, per F.C.R.A provisions

Most people don’t know this BUT there’s no reason for you do this alone.

Use the link below Now👇

✅ BOOK YOUR FREE GUIDANCE CALL WITH ME

WATCH THIS: American Express fraud & ID theft recovery video

Watch this first. It explains how investigations really work and why your documentation + timeline matters.

Podcast: Removing Fraud Charges Off Your Credit Report

STEP 1️⃣ : Call the American Express Fraud Dept

Start here because American Express can sometimes fix fraud in minutes. ⏱️ If they stall, deny, or tell you to “write in,” you’ll move to Step 2 and Step 3.

Scenario 1: For fraud charges on your American Express card:

• Call the number on the back of your card (or 1-800-528-4800).
• List each fraud charge by date + amount + merchant.
• Many times they issue a temporary credit while they investigate (can take up to ~60 days).
• If they deny or drag it out → go to Step 2 & Step 3.

Scenario 2: For fraudulently opened American Express card:

• Call 1-800-528-4800 and request fraud/identity theft.
• Ask what address/email/phone was used to open it (ID thieves often use different info).
• Demand they close the account and stop reporting it.
• If they say “write to us,” don’t panic — you’ll do it correctly in Step 3.

GOOD NEWS: If Amex doesn’t agree to fix the issue, we may get you monetary damages

If you’re a legitimate victim and the fraud reporting isn’t corrected after proper notice + documentation, it can become an actionable compliance issue. In many cases we can help with no upfront fees.

Free Help: If American Express or the bureaus don’t correct the fraud after you follow the steps below, you may have an FCRA/FCBA violation — and we can often help with $0 out of pocket.

Call/Text: (323) 983-8973
✅ BOOK YOUR FREE GUIDANCE CALL WITH ME

STEP 2️⃣ – Filing your American Express ID theft reports (with FTC and police)

Most people lose here because they dispute “light.” ❌ A basic dispute does not force serious handling. Your strongest rights usually kick in when you include: FTC identity theft report + police report. ✅

The 2-anchor stack

FTC Report ✅ + Police Report ✅ = your strongest dispute package

STEP 2A – File an FTC ID theft Affidavit

• File here: IdentityTheft.gov
• List American Express and any fraud accounts/charges/inquiries you found.
• Save/print the final report (you’ll attach it in Step 3).

STEP 2B – File a ID theft Police report

• ️ File online if your department allows it; otherwise file in person.
• Bring ID + proof of address + statements + credit report pages (if a new account is reporting).
• Make sure the report lists American Express and the fraudulent activity.

One Master “American Express Fraud” Letter (Use for Police + Your Dispute Packet)

✅ Edit the brackets. Paste it into your police report narrative box AND include it inside your dispute packets.

[YOUR FULL NAME]
[YOUR ADDRESS]
[DOB / Last 4 ssn]
[EMAIL/ MOBILE # ]

I am a victim of identity theft and fraud. The following American Express accounts, charges, and/or credit inquiries are fraudulent. I did not authorize them, did not benefit from them, and did not give anyone permission to use my personal information.

A) Unauthorized Charges on an Existing American Express Account (if applicable)
- Account ending in: [XXXX]
- Fraud charge(s): [DATE] – [$AMOUNT] – [MERCHANT], [DATE] – [$AMOUNT] – [MERCHANT]
- Reason: I did not make these transactions and did not benefit from them.

B) Fraudulently Opened American Express Account (if applicable)
- Account ending in: [XXXX]
- Open date (if known): [__/____]
- Reported balance: [$____]
- Reason: This account was opened without my knowledge or consent. I have never used it and received no benefit from it.

C) Unauthorized Credit Inquiry (if applicable)
- Creditor: American Express
- Inquiry date: [__/____]
- Reason: I did not authorize this application/inquiry.

Suspect information: I (do / do not) know who the suspect may be.

I am reporting this issue so that the credit bureaus can block this information and the creditors can close/remove fraudulent accounts, and correct any inaccurate reporting to the credit bureaus.

Sincerely,

Want a deeper bureau template? Identity theft credit bureau dispute letter

STEP 3️⃣ – Mailing your id theft/fraud dispute letter to American Express & the credit bureaus

Now you build the paper trail. This matters if anyone denies your claim later.

If the account is reporting on your credit file, you also need dispute with the bureaus . ✅

✅ What to include (simple)

• Master narrative letter (See Step1B above)
• FTC report
• Police report
• ID + proof of address ( eg, recent utility bill, cell bill, or bank statement)
• Credit report pages showing the fraud (if applicable)

Tip: If you mail disputes, consider a service like LetterStream so your exact letter + attachments + proof of mailing are preserved digitally.

STEP 4️⃣ – If American Express or the credit bureaus don’t fix:

YOU MAY BE ENTITLED TO MONEY DAMAGES 💰

WE GUIDE YOU FOR FREE ‼️

At that point, you may be facing FCRA and/or FCBA violations. This is where my team can step in to pursue:

• Removal/correction of fraudulent tradelines
• Refunds for unauthorized charges (when applicable)
• Monetary damages (credit harm + stress/emotional distress)
• ⚖️ Attorney’s fees paid by the other side (not you)

Call ME: (323) 983-8973

EMAIL Fraud@imaxcredit.com
✅ BOOK YOUR FREE GUIDANCE CALL WITH ME

RELATED AMEX FRAUD ARTICLES

• How to Repair Credit After Identity Theft and Fraud
• Identity Theft Credit Bureau Dispute Letter
• What to Do If American Express Sues You
• How to Settle American Express Debt for Less
• How to negotiate payment in exchange for deletion with Amex
• How to fix Capital One fraud
• How to Remove Fraudulent American Express Account from Credit Report

FAQ: American Express Fraud

What is the American Express fraud department phone number?

Safest option: use the number on the back of your American Express card or the in-app call button (to avoid fake “fraud lines”). Otherwise call Amex general fraud ph# 800-528-4800 which is the number listed on their website

A fraudulent American Express account was opened in my name and showing on my credit report, what do I do ?

Treat this like identity theft (because it is). Here’s the clean order:

• Call American Express and tell them to close the account + flag it as fraud.
• File the FTC report + police report (Step 2).
• Mail disputes to American Express + bureaus (Step 3) so you have proof.

✅ This protects you even if American Express investigates slowly or makes an initial mistake.

How does a American Express fraud investigation work?

It depends on which type of fraud you’re dealing with:

• Fraud charges on your existing card: American Express often issues a temporary credit while they investigate (sometimes up to ~60 days).
• Fraudulently opened account: reporting may not be corrected immediately — that’s why Step 2 + Step 3 matter (FTC/police + mailed disputes).

Your job: track dates, amounts, rep names, and case numbers.

What if American Express denies or refuses my fraud claim or says the fraud is “verified”?

⚠️ Don’t accept a vague denial. Make it factual and documented:

• Ask what evidence they relied on and request the reason in writing (or notes in your file).
• Send your FTC + police report packet by mail (Step 3) so you have proof of notice.
• ⚖️ If incorrect reporting hits your credit file and the reinvestigation isn’t handled correctly after notice, compliance issues can appear.

How do I report fraud charges made on my Amex card ?

✅ Start with the fastest method:

• Report by phone (number on card) or through the app.
• Keep a simple log: date/time, rep name, and case/reference number.
• If they don’t rule in your favor, follow the documentation steps in this article (FTC + police + mailed disputes).