American Express ‘Merchant Reward’ Email Scam [Explained]
Written by: Stelian
Published on:
Phishing scams impersonating legitimate companies continue to evolve in sophistication, using convincing branding and urgency tactics to deceive victims. One such scam is the “American Express Merchant Reward” phishing email claiming users have pending credit payments, aimed to steal sensitive information. This article will examine how this scam works, how to identify it, and steps to take if one falls prey.
What is the American Express ‘Merchant Reward’ Email Scam?
The “American Express Merchant Reward” phishing email pretends the recipient has an incoming credit payment from American Express as a “Merchant Reward” ranging from thousands to ten thousands of dollars. To supposedly receive this payment, the email instructs victims to download an attached HTML file disguised as an American Express sign-in page to “verify their account ownership.”
In reality, this is a phishing scam unaffiliated with American Express. The attachment is designed to steal account login credentials and other personal data when victims try to collect their non-existent rewards. This information is then used by scammers for financial fraud or identity theft.
Here is how the American Express ‘Merchant Reward’ email scam may look:
Subject: You Have New Pending Credit Payment on Your Account
AMERICAN EXPRESS
Merchant Reward Credit of $5789.78 was issued to your account
For safety reasons, Please download attachment to review payment.
Update and verify your account ownership is required as a means to accept your payment.
Notice: Account wlll be credited within 24hrs after you verify your ownership
Thank you for choosing American Express
How Does the American Express ‘Merchant Reward’ Scam Work?
The American Express “Merchant Reward” phishing scam email starts off by appearing legitimate on the surface. The scam email is carefully designed to mimic a real message from American Express, using the company’s branding, logos, and messaging style. This is done to trick recipients into thinking the email originates from American Express.
The subject line often states something like “You Have New Pending Credit Payment on Your Account” to grab the victim’s attention. In the body of the email, scammers inform recipients they have been issued a “Merchant Reward Credit” ranging from several thousand dollars to over ten thousand dollars. This fictional reward credit is intended to excite recipients with the promise of a large sum of unexpected money.
To supposedly obtain this reward payment, the fraudulent email instructs victims to download an attached HTML file. This attachment is made to resemble the legitimate American Express account login page. Recipients are told they must use this file to verify their account ownership in order to accept and receive their big reward credit.
However, in reality, this attachment is a phishing file completely unassociated with American Express. The fake login page is a trap aimed at stealing sensitive personal and financial data from victims once they try to input their account credentials. The scam email stresses the importance of immediate action, claiming the reward payment will expire if account ownership is not verified quickly. This creates a sense of urgency to pressure victims into downloading the file and providing their information without deeper scrutiny.
As soon as victims open the deceptive attachment and enter their American Express username and password into what they believe is a real company login page, this highly sensitive information is harvested by the scammers behind the phishing attack. With access to username and password credentials, as well as any other personal data entered, the scammers can infiltrate the victim’s real American Express account.
From here, the stolen account can be used to make fraudulent purchases and transactions, steal money, or access even more personal information that could facilitate identity theft. The scammers may also sell off the account details to other cybercriminals looking to exploit compromised accounts and identities for financial gain. Essentially, the phishing scam leverages a fictitious reward ploy and impersonation of American Express to trick well-meaning recipients into unwittingly surrendering the keys to their account and identity.
How to Spot the American Express ‘Merchant Reward’ Scam
While sophisticated, some tips can help identify and avoid this phishing scam:
Suspicious sender: Email address does not match official American Express domains. Sender is random or spoofed.
Spelling errors: Phishing emails tend to contain typos, grammar errors, and other mistakes.
Generic greeting: Scam emails will use generic greetings like “Dear cardholder” rather than your name.
Request for information: American Express would never ask for sensitive account information over email. Any such request is a red flag.
Sense of urgency: Tactics pressuring immediate action are used to short-circuit better judgment.
Attachments and links: American Express would not send account login pages as attachments in emails. These are phishing links/files.
Overly generous rewards: Extremely high fake payment amounts like $10,000 are used as bait but are atypical of real rewards.
Call for account verification: American Express does not verify user accounts through emailed files or urgent payments. Delete any such emails.
What to Do If You Fell Victim to This Scam
If you entered your American Express account details into one of these phishing attachments, take these steps quickly to minimize damages:
Contact American Express: Alert them your credentials were compromised through a phishing scam so they can secure your account.
Reset account password: Immediately change your American Express password so scammers lose access. Enable two-factor authentication if possible.
Review statements: Check statements regularly for any unauthorized transactions made using stolen account data. Report any found.
Contact banks: For accounts with linked payment sources, contact associated financial institutions regarding potential fraudulent charges.
Place fraud alert: Consider placing an initial 90-day fraud alert with credit bureaus to be notified of any suspicious activity.
Monitor credit reports: Order free credit reports to watch for signs of identity theft stemming from lost personal information.
Report phishing email: Forward the phishing scam to American Express, the FTC, and cybersecurity authorities to help warn and protect others.
Is Your Device Infected? Run a Free Malware Scan
Slow performance, constant pop-ups, or strange behavior? These are classic signs of a malware infection. The fastest way to find out is to scan your device with Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Free — one of the most trusted malware removal tools available.
The free version detects and removes the most common threats, including:
Adware — the cause of those annoying pop-ups
Browser hijackers — unwanted redirects and changed homepages
Trojans and spyware — hidden programs stealing your data
Potentially unwanted programs (PUPs) — software you never asked for
👉 Select your device below — Windows, Mac, or Android — then follow the simple steps to download Malwarebytes, scan your system, and remove any threats it finds. The whole process takes about 5 minutes.
Malwarebytes for WindowsMalwarebytes for MacMalwarebytes for Android
Run a Malware Scan with Malwarebytes for Windows
Malwarebytes is one of the most popular and trusted anti-malware tools for Windows — and it’s completely free for removing infections. It catches threats that many antivirus programs miss, including adware, browser hijackers, and trojans. Follow the steps below to scan and clean your PC in just a few minutes.
Download Malwarebytes
Click the button below to download the latest version of Malwarebytes for Windows from the official source. The free version is all you need — it will scan your computer and remove adware, browser hijackers, and other malicious software at no cost.
(The link opens in a new page where your download will start)
Install Malwarebytes
When the download finishes, open your Downloads folder and double-click the MBSetup file. If Windows shows a User Account Control pop-up, click “Yes” to allow the installation.
Follow the On-Screen Prompts to Install Malwarebytes
The setup wizard will walk you through a few quick screens:
Choose where you’re installing the program — “Personal Computer” or “Work Computer” — then click Next.
Malwarebytes will now install on your device. This usually takes under a minute.
When installation is complete, the “Welcome to Malwarebytes” screen will open automatically.
On the final screen, click Open Malwarebytes to launch the program.
Enable “Scan for Rootkits”
Before scanning, turn on rootkit detection so Malwarebytes can find even the most hidden threats. Click the Settings gear icon on the left side of the screen.
In the settings menu, find “Scan for rootkits” and click the toggle so it turns blue.
Done? Click “Dashboard” in the left pane to return to the main screen.
Start the Scan
Click the blue Scan button. Malwarebytes will automatically update its virus database and start checking your computer for malware.
Wait for the Scan to Finish
The scan checks your entire system for browser hijackers and other malicious programs, so it can take several minutes. Feel free to do something else — just check back occasionally to see the progress.
Quarantine the Detected Threats
When the scan is done, you’ll see a list of everything Malwarebytes found — malware, adware, and potentially unwanted programs. Click the “Quarantine” button to remove all of them at once.
Malwarebytes will now remove the malicious files and registry entries and move them safely into quarantine.
Restart Your Computer
Some threats can only be fully removed after a reboot. If Malwarebytes asks you to restart, click Yes. Once you’re logged back in, your PC is clean and you can continue with the next steps in this guide.
When the scan finishes, click Quarantine to remove everything Malwarebytes found. That’s it — your Windows PC is now clean of trojans, adware, and other malware, and should be back to running smoothly.
If your current antivirus allowed this malicious program on your computer, you may want to consider purchasing Malwarebytes Premium to protect against these types of threats in the future. If you are still having problems with your computer after completing these instructions, then please follow one of the steps:
Malwarebytes for Mac is a free on-demand scanner that removes the malware other security software tends to miss — adware, browser hijackers, and unwanted programs included. Cleaning an infected Mac with Malwarebytes has always been completely free, and it’s our go-to recommendation. Follow the steps below to scan and clean your Mac in just a few minutes.
Download Malwarebytes for Mac
Click the button below to download the latest version of Malwarebytes for Mac.
When the download finishes, open your Downloads folder and double-click the setup file to begin the installation.
Follow the On-Screen Prompts to Install Malwarebytes
The Malwarebytes for Mac Installer will guide you through a few quick screens. Click “Continue” and keep following the prompts until the installation completes.
When the installation is complete, Malwarebytes opens to the Welcome to Malwarebytes screen. Click “Get started“.
Select “Personal Computer” or “Work Computer”
Malwarebytes will ask what type of computer you’re installing it on. Click either Personal Computer or Work Computer, whichever applies.
Start the Scan
Click the “Scan” button. Malwarebytes will automatically update its detection database and begin checking your Mac for malware.
Wait for the Scan to Finish
Malwarebytes will scan your Mac for adware, browser hijackers, and other malicious programs. This can take a few minutes, so feel free to do something else — just check back occasionally to see the progress.
Quarantine the Detected Threats
When the scan is done, you’ll see a list of everything Malwarebytes found. Click the “Quarantine” button to remove all the threats at once.
Restart Your Mac
Malwarebytes will now remove all the malicious files it found. Some threats can only be fully removed after a reboot — if Malwarebytes asks you to restart, allow it. Once you’re logged back in, your Mac is clean.
Once the scan is done, remove every threat it detected. Your Mac is now free of adware, rogue browser extensions, and other potentially harmful software.
If your current antivirus allowed a malicious program on your computer, you might want to consider purchasing the full-featured version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware to protect against these types of threats in the future. If you are still experiencing problems while trying to remove a malicious program from your computer, please ask for help in our Mac Malware Removal Help & Support forum.
Run a Malware Scan with Malwarebytes for Android
Malwarebytes for Android automatically detects and removes dangerous threats like malware and ransomware so you don’t have to worry about your most-used device being compromised. Aggressive detection of adware and potentially unwanted programs keeps your Android phone or tablet running smooth.
Download Malwarebytes for Android.
You can download Malwarebytes for Android by clicking the link below.
In the Google Play Store, tap “Install” to install Malwarebytes for Android on your device.
When the installation process has finished, tap “Open” to begin using Malwarebytes for Android. You can also open Malwarebytes by tapping on its icon in your phone menu or home screen.
Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the setup process
When Malwarebytes will open, you will see the Malwarebytes Setup Wizard which will guide you through a series of permissions and other setup options. This is the first of two screens that explain the difference between the Premium and Free versions. Swipe this screen to continue. Tap on “Got it” to proceed to the next step. Malwarebytes for Android will now ask for a set of permissions that are required to scan your device and protect it from malware. Tap on “Give permission” to continue. Tap on “Allow” to permit Malwarebytes to access the files on your phone.
Update database and run a scan with Malwarebytes for Android
You will now be prompted to update the Malwarebytes database and run a full system scan.
Click on “Update database” to update the Malwarebytes for Android definitions to the latest version, then click on “Run full scan” to perform a system scan.
Wait for the Malwarebytes scan to complete.
Malwarebytes will now start scanning your phone for adware and other malicious apps. This process can take a few minutes, so we suggest you do something else and periodically check on the status of the scan to see when it is finished.
Click on “Remove Selected”.
When the scan has been completed, you will be presented with a screen showing the malware infections that Malwarebytes for Android has detected. To remove the malicious apps that Malwarebytes has found, tap on the “Remove Selected” button.
Restart your phone.
Malwarebytes for Android will now remove all the malicious apps that it has found. To complete the malware removal process, Malwarebytes may ask you to restart your device.
After the scan, tap Remove Selected to delete all detected threats. Your Android phone is now clean — no more malicious apps, adware, or browser redirects.
If your current antivirus allowed a malicious app on your phone, you may want to consider purchasing the full-featured version of Malwarebytes to protect against these types of threats in the future. If you are still having problems with your phone after completing these instructions, then please follow one of the steps:
Restore your phone to factory settings by going to Settings > General management > Reset > Factory data reset.
Now that your device is clean, keep it that way. Most infections start with a malicious ad or a fake download button — so blocking them at the source is your best defense.
We recommend AdGuard, which blocks malicious ads, phishing pages, and dangerous redirects before they can reach you.
The “American Express Merchant Reward” phishing scam exhibits the importance of identifying and avoiding such frauds attempting to impersonate trusted institutions. With scam awareness, enough skepticism of emails demanding sensitive data, and overall cybersecurity vigilance, users can evade this scam and other phishing attempts targeting their valuable personal and financial information.
10 Rules to Avoid Online Scams
Here are 10 practical safety rules to help you avoid malware, online shopping scams, crypto scams, and other online fraud. Each tip includes a quick “if you already got hit” action.
Stop and verify before you click, log in, download, or pay.
Most scams win by creating urgency. Verify using a trusted method: type the website address yourself, use the official app, or call a known number (not the one in the message).
If you already clicked: close the page, do not enter passwords, and run a malware scan.
Keep your operating system, browser, and apps updated.
Updates patch security holes used by malware and malicious ads. Turn on automatic updates where possible.
If you saw a scary “update now” pop-up: close it and update only through your device settings or the official app store.
Use layered protection: antivirus plus an ad blocker.
Antivirus helps block malware. An ad blocker reduces scam redirects, phishing pages, and malvertising.
If your browser is acting weird: remove unknown extensions, reset the browser, then run a full scan.
Install apps, software, and extensions only from official sources.
Avoid cracked software, “keygens,” and random downloads. During installs, choose Custom/Advanced and decline bundled offers you do not recognize.
If you already installed something suspicious: uninstall it, restart, and scan again.
Treat links and attachments as untrusted by default.
Phishing often impersonates delivery services, banks, and popular brands. If it is unexpected, do not open attachments or log in through the message.
If you entered credentials: change the password immediately and enable 2FA.
Shop safely: research the store, then pay with protection.
Be cautious with brand-new stores, “closing sale” stories, and prices that make no sense. Prefer credit cards or PayPal for dispute options. Avoid wire transfers, gift cards, and crypto payments.
If you already paid: contact your card issuer or PayPal quickly to dispute the transaction.
Crypto rule: never pay a “fee” to withdraw or recover money.
Common patterns include fake profits, then “tax,” “gas,” or “verification” fees. Another is a “recovery agent” who demands upfront crypto.
If you already sent crypto: stop paying, save evidence (wallet addresses, TXIDs, chats), and report the scam to the platform used.
Secure your accounts with unique passwords and 2FA (start with email).
Use a password manager and unique passwords for every account. Enable 2FA using an authenticator app when possible.
If you suspect an account takeover: change passwords, sign out of all devices, and review recent logins and recovery settings.
Back up important files and keep one backup offline.
Backups protect you from ransomware and device failure. Keep at least one backup on an external drive that is not always connected.
If you suspect infection: do not connect backup drives until the system is clean.
If you think you are a victim: stop losses, document evidence, and escalate fast.
Move quickly. Speed matters for disputes, account recovery, and limiting damage.
Stop payments and contact: do not send more money or respond to the scammer.
Call your bank or card issuer: block transactions, replace the card if needed, and start a dispute or chargeback.
Secure your email first: change the email password, enable 2FA, and remove unfamiliar recovery options.
Secure other accounts: change passwords, enable 2FA, and log out of all sessions.
Scan your device: remove suspicious apps or extensions, then run a full malware scan.
Save evidence: screenshots, emails, order pages, tracking pages, wallet addresses, TXIDs, and chat logs.
Report it: to the payment provider, marketplace, social platform, exchange, or wallet service involved.
These rules are intentionally simple. Most online losses happen when decisions are rushed. Slow down, verify independently, and use payment methods and account controls that give you recourse.
About Stelian
Stelian leverages over a decade of cybersecurity expertise to lead malware analysis and removal, uncover scams, and educate people. His experience provides insightful analysis and valuable perspective.
