Your question was answered in post #8. Amex reports one month in the past. So when they update your reports in February 2010, it's showing the balance of your January 2010 statement, and so on.
Here's a tip... Expect a hard inquiry and be thankful if it's a soft. Regardless of what he/she/they said, the fact that you expected a soft inquiry is the problem.
Get over the whole ID checking thing already. I don't like it myself. But have you honestly calculated the % of time retailers actually ask for your ID? I always say you have to pick your battles in life. This one is so minor to the point of being trivial.