B2BWHLS

Just was notified that B2BWHLS is on my America Express online transaction alert. Did not recognize the merchant and started to think the transaction was fraud. Read some of the comments on this site and a couple posts recommend to wait for the actual post as B2BWHLS behaved as a bridge/temporary transaction entity, until actual posting. i found this to be true, as when the transaction actually posted it changed from B2BWHLS to the legitimate merchant - in my case, Mail Safe Express. Odd but valid...

I just received a large transaction alert from AMEX for $680 paid to B2BWHLS.

I called American Express and spoke with an agent, and they explained that there are 2 steps for a credit card transaction, especially for small businesses like home renovation contractors. The first step is an authorization, which comes from your contractors payment processor. For American Express, all they have is the payment processors name and the amount. Then after initial authorization is received, and payment is made, then American Express receives the actual vendor information, and they update the transaction that you see to display the real vendor's information.

The agent I spoke with was familiar with "B2BWHLS", and said that it's too early in the transaction process to know if this is a valid or fraudulent charge, and that we'd need to wait about a day or two when American Express has the actual vendor's information.

For me, the timing and amount of this charge line up with a down payment that we just placed on a new garage door. So I believe that this charge is valid, but I will check back on my American Express account tomorrow to see if this transaction has been updated to name the real vendor.

Best advice - don't panic. wait a day or two, and then check your American Express account online and confirm that the transaction has the correct vendor's name. If at that time you don't recognize the vendor or the transaction, then call American Express and report the charge as fraudulent.

Hope that helps.

I had the same charge on my Amex card but it was a refund from a legit company

A large transaction alert arrived from American Express today, with B2BWHLS as the listed merchant. It was a completely bogus charge for nearly $3k from a company 2500 miles away from us. AmEx's FRAUD ALERT TEAM has been activated and they are taking care of it.