I hope you all can give me some perspective here. I’ll post this on the AA site as well as the AMEX site…..thanks in advance.

I was reviewing my AMEX account on-line tonight since I was anticipating a large charge for a Sept cruise. What I found was two charges that did not add up to what I was expecting for the trip. One was from the cruise company ( less than I was expecting) and another from American Airlines for over $1600. Since the cruise included air, I was curious when adding the two, that they did not add up to the total I had agreed to pay.

Thinking I could get more exact information from AA since the AMEX reference had a ticket number, I called AA (gold desk). They informed me that the ticket was in the name of a person that I did not know, and that it was for travel over last weekend (Memorial Day) and that it had been used. I said that I did not know that person, and they suggested I contact the AMEX fraud unit.

I called AMEX and talked with their fraud unit. Since I have an AMEX bill due in about a week, and since this particular charge will be on the following bill, they said there was nothing to be done. They took my information, noted that when my next month’s bill was ready to “post”, they would note the fraud charge, credit me at that point, and then contact AA about the fraud. If they determine fraud (will write me in 4-6 weeks), then they will replace my card with another ---- the second such imposition on me in as many years. How many places do I have the card number “on file”???

Help me with your thoughts, please:

1. Should I be outraged that someone could use my card to travel, using a name other than mine, and not be required to prove something as creditable for the charge card before getting the actual boarding pass?
2. Where should I vent, if at all? AA, who accepted the last minute reservation using my Amex, but for an individual whose name did not remotely resemble mine?
3. Amex for not having a system that questions such transactions?
4. Both since the fraud has occurred and neither is going to take any action at all until at least a month from now?
5. Am I too hyper and should just get on with life?

Thanks for your thoughts. If anyone would prefer to offer you advice directly, rather than in the public forum (public is better, right?), then please do so at [email protected].

Tom