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When the AMX card # was stolen the first time there was a $1 charge in Bangkok. Then it was backed out a minute later. Then about an hour later a $59 charge in Australia and a $35 charge in New Zealand.

Apparently the $1 charge to test whether the number is good.

I had used it a day before at the local Thai restaurant. Somebody there probably sold the number to their cousin back home. I called the owner and told her. Never heard another word. I also stopped going there.

The only other time I got an email alert and text from AMX was when I charged my BullFrog hot tub. It went through, but my wife and I got multiple alerts

Yes. Those are probing charges. If the $2 charge goes thru, a huge charge follows in a few days. That's only happened to me twice in twelve years. The great thing about Amex is that if you dispute a charge, the vendor or merchant has the burden of proof to authenticate the charge. If they can't prove it was purchased by you at that place and time, they credit the charge. They also credit you the charge while it's in dispute. One time we had fourteen airfares on my card , which I disputed. Then I found the charges were really just our four tickets with all kinds of secondary fee charges. Amex kept them in dispute until we sorted it all out. Then I paid them.

I know they are a bit of a progressive company which I don't like, but they are extremely good at what they do. And they do it well.