Consumer complaint received 2026-03-08 00:00:00
Product: Credit card — General-purpose credit card or charge card
Issue: Problem with a purchase shown on your statement — Card was charged for something you did not purchase with the card
Company: AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
State: FL

Complaint narrative:
Summary of the XXXX There are XXXX ( XXXX ) unauthorized transactions that occurred within minutes of each other while I was traveling in XXXX, XXXX. These transactions are clearly related and should be cross-referenced as part of the same fraud case. Important : I authorized only XXXX legitimate purchase for {$250.00}. I did not authorize the additional XXXX transactions. My signature on the disputed receipts was forged. Detailed Narrative Timeline of the Day On the day of the incident, my husband and I were visiting XXXX, XXXX while on a cruise stop. While walking through the shopping area, we were approached by staff at a store called XXXX and invited inside to look at skincare products. Inside the store, we were assisted by a man who identified himself as XXXX. He represented himself as a dermatologist from XXXX, Florida who travels to locations such as the XXXX and XXXX to teach customers how to use the products. He also stated that the company worked with American Express to offer payment plans, which I have since learned was false. After a sales demonstration, my husband decided to purchase XXXX cream priced at {$250.00}. I handed my American Express card to the salesperson for this single purchase. The salesperson left for an extended period to process the transaction. When he returned, he presented a receipt showing {$250.00}, which I reviewed and signed. I specifically requested a copy of the receipt at that time, but he refused to provide a printed copy and stated it would be emailed to me. We then left the store and returned to our cruise ship. Later that evening, after we had already set sail, I received a fraud alert from American Express for a charge of approximately {$3500.00}. I immediately responded No to indicate the charge was unauthorized. At that time, I believed the alert had successfully stopped the transaction. The following day, upon reviewing my account more closely, I discovered that XXXX separate transactions had been processed in rapid succession totaling {$20000.00}, including the {$3500.00} charge. I did not authorize these charges, I did not sign for them, and I did not provide my card again after the single {$250.00} purchase. Timeline of Events While on vacation in XXXX, my husband and I entered a store called XXXX. A salesperson identifying himself as XXXX ( claiming to be a dermatologist from XXXX, FL ) assisted us. We agreed to purchase XXXX product for {$250.00}. I signed only a receipt for {$250.00}. The salesperson refused to provide a printed receipt and said it would be emailed. Later that evening ( after returning to the cruise ship ) : I received an American Express fraud alert for approximately {$3500.00}. I immediately responded No to indicate the charge was unauthorized. Upon reviewing my account the next day, I discovered XXXX total transactions had been posted in rapid succession. Why These Charges Are Fraudulent I authorized only XXXX {$250.00} purchase. The additional receipts provided by the merchant contain forged signatures. The merchants contact numbers do not connect. The salesperson made false claims about : Being aXX/XX/XXXX Offering American Express payment plans Pattern of Organized Scam : During my investigation, I discovered substantial evidence that this appears to be an ongoing scam targeting cruise passengers in XXXX and XXXX. In addition to the public consumer reports previously provided, I identified references indicating that an independent investigator has been engaged by affected parties and has been actively examining this individual and related businesses since at least 2024. The materials I located suggest the investigation is ongoing and focused on repeated allegations of misrepresentation, forged receipts, and unauthorized credit card charges tied to the same sales persona ( XXXX ) and associated storefront operations. While I understand American Express will conduct its own independent review, I am providing this information to demonstrate that my experience is consistent with a documented pattern reported by multiple unrelated consumers. I attached the relevant screenshots and links supporting these findings to the email I sent to American Express. Key details : Individual uses the name XXXX Phone number associated : ( XXXX ) XXXX Business name involved that we saw in-person : XXXX The fraudulent merchant aliases used for the charges : - Forever Young Non-Invasive Therapy - Pharmaciopy Skin Care Similar incidents have been documented publicly Supporting reports : https : XXXX https : XXXX https : XXXX? XXXX https : XXXX? XXXX https : XXXX? XXXX https : XXXX? XXXX Prior Contact with American Express I reported these charges immediately while they were still pending and have called repeatedly since the incident. However, the disputes continue to be reversed after the merchant submits receipts that I maintain are fraudulent and forged. Requested Resolution I respectfully request that American Express : Investigate these XXXX transactions as a single coordinated fraud case Permanently remove the unauthorized charges from my account Flag this merchant for potential fraudulent activity affecting cardmembers Provide written confirmation of the investigation outcome Fraud Detection and Alert Concerns I am also requesting a careful review of the authorization and fraud-monitoring process in this case. The disputed transactions represent highly unusual activity for my account profile, including : Multiple high-dollar charges in rapid succession Charges originating overseas in XXXX Transaction amounts far exceeding my single authorized {$250.00} purchase Notably, I did receive an American Express fraud alert for approximately {$3500.00}, and I promptly responded No to indicate the charge was unauthorized. Despite this explicit denial, the charge was ultimately posted to my account. Given my long tenure as a cardmember and my established spending patterns, I respectfully request clarification on : Why this cluster of transactions was not fully blocked as suspected fraud? Why the transaction I explicitly declined via the fraud alert was still permitted to post? Whether the merchants submissions were appropriately scrutinized given the timing and location mismatch?

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation