Amex checks

I carried American Express (Amex) travelers' checks when I traveled to the U.S. in September 1997. The checks were stolen in Los Angeles. Immediately after the incident, I reported it to the local police, the local Amex office and the Amex office in Jakarta. I have the supporting documents thereto. The local Amex office in the U.S. promised me that I would receive a refund in one month's time.

Back in Jakarta, I had to wait several months before the Amex office advised me about the refund, which I could receive in full.

When I went to the Amex office in Jakarta, they told me that the refund was not for the full amount because a number of checks had been cashed. Proof of the cashed checks has never been given to me. I only got a 20 percent refund of the actual value of my travelers' checks.

For that 20 percent refund I am obliged to go in person to the Amex office in Jakarta. To do it by proxy is not possible. If I were abroad at the moment I would have to return to Indonesia to get the refund and wait for processing, which lasts several hours. Besides, I am obliged to sign a statement saying that I have received the refund in full.

I think the bank is acting in a high-handed fashion toward me, an old customer. I would appeal to the community to be careful with foreign banks that conduct themselves arbitrarily toward their clients.

TAHIR

Jakarta