Last evening, I made a number of purchases on my HHonors card (this is far from the first time I have done so, nor was the total amount anywhere near what I have purchased in one day in the past).

For my last purchase, which was for 399 shekels, ($105.62) among the least expensive ones I made that day, the store owner could not get automatic validation when he swiped the card. He was told to call Amex.

He did, they told him to check my ID and verify my identity. He did so and was told that I would have to be verified by Amex's international headquarters.

We waited for at least 10 minutes before someone there picked up the phone. I was then subjected to a series of questions like I had never gotten before. She wanted to know, among other things:

1. What is my address?
2. What is my birth date?
3. What shops had I purchased in earlier in the evening?
4. What are the last four digits of my Social Security number?
5. What cities had I been in before returning to Israel earlier this month?
6. What was the very last purchase I made in the States? (That one was easy -- I bought something at the Duty Free on board my Delta flight.)

I finally gave her my U.S. Army serial number from 48 years ago (this was a freebie -- she did not ask for it nor is it in my Amex records). At that point, she gave up and validated my purchase.

I thought the matter was finished until I got home and found this e-mail waiting for me:


Fraud Protection Alert

Please call us at 1-800-824-9289


For Your Security:

Dear Dovster,

For your security, we regularly monitor accounts for possible fraudulent activity. Please review the attempted charge below which occurred within minutes of the timestamp of this message.

Transaction Date: 03/14/12

Merchant: ELECTRO KOBY LT

Amount:399.00

Currency:ISL

Case Number:57678

Please call us as soon as possible using the number on the back of your Card to verify these attempted charges. You can also call American Express Account Security directly at 1-800-824-9289. You should have your American Express Card handy when you call.

Some transactions are pre-authorized before the final sale. These can include purchases made at gas stations, hotels, and car rental merchants. Please note the amount shown above may not reflect the exact amount of your final transaction.

If we've already spoken to you about this matter, please disregard this message. No further action is required.

Thank you for your Cardmembership.

Sincerely,

American Express Account Security
Fraud Prevention Network