American Express Card Details Exposed in Data Breach

American Express (Amex) has notified its customers of a data breach that affected a third-party merchant processor, leading to the exposure of sensitive credit card information. The breach was first reported on March 4, with American Express taking quick action to inform impacted cardholders and regulatory authorities.

The company confirmed in a data breach notification filed with the state of Massachusetts that the compromised data includes American Express card account numbers, customer names, and expiration dates. This breach occurred within a service provider engaged by numerous merchants to process Amex card member data.

American Express has stressed that its own systems were not compromised in this incident. It described the notification sent to customers as a precautionary measure, emphasizing its commitment to protecting cardholder information and maintaining transparency in the face of potential security threats.

The exact number of customers affected by this breach has not been disclosed. However, American Express has assured its cardholders that they will not be held responsible for any fraudulent charges detected on their accounts as a result of the breach.

American Express has recommended that customers vigilantly monitor their account statements over the next 12 to 24 months for signs of fraud. Additionally, cardholders are encouraged to enable instant notifications on the American Express mobile app to receive real-time alerts about potentially suspicious activities on their accounts. Alternatively, cardholders may sign up for email or text alerts.

Given the risk of stolen card information being sold on cybercrime marketplaces, individuals affected by this breach should consider requesting a new card to safeguard against potential fraudulent activities.

That being said, American Express is currently closely monitoring all affected accounts for signs of fraud. The company has also stated to its customers that they have the right to file a police report if they become a victim of fraud due to this incident.