What to Do If You Get a Credit Card You Didn’t Apply For
Received an unsolicited credit card? Learn crucial steps to assess its origin, investigate potential issues, and secure your financial information.
Receiving an unsolicited credit card can be a confusing and concerning experience. An unsolicited credit card refers to a card opened in a consumer’s name without their explicit permission. It is illegal for a credit card company to send you a credit card you did not request. While this might seem like a simple error, it could indicate a more serious issue, such as identity theft. Taking immediate steps protects your financial well-being.
Initial Actions and Assessment
Upon receiving an unsolicited credit card, avoid activating it. Activating the card, or even using it, can be interpreted as acceptance, potentially making you liable for any charges incurred. Examine the card and its accompanying documentation. Look for details such as the issuer’s name, account number, personal information, and activation instructions.
Assess the sender of the card. Determine if it is from a recognized financial institution or an unfamiliar entity. Sometimes, a bank with which you already have an account might send a card due to an error, as an upgrade to an existing account, or as a replacement.
Document everything related to the unsolicited card, including the envelope, the card itself, and all accompanying communications. Maintaining a detailed record will be helpful for any subsequent investigations. Distinguish between receiving an actual, usable credit card and a pre-approved offer to apply for a card, as the latter is a common marketing practice and does not typically indicate fraud.
Investigating the Origin
After initial steps, investigate why you received the card to determine if it is a legitimate mistake or a sign of identity theft. Review your credit reports from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. You are entitled to a free copy from each agency annually via AnnualCreditReport.com. When reviewing your reports, look for new accounts opened in your name that you do not recognize, hard inquiries that you did not authorize, or any incorrect personal information.
If the card issuer is identifiable, contact their fraud department directly. Find the official contact number from their website, rather than using any contact information provided with the unsolicited card, as that could be part of a scam. Provide them with the details of the unsolicited card and ask when and how the account was opened. The information gathered from your credit reports and discussions with the card issuer will help you differentiate between a mailing error, an account upgrade or replacement, or a fraudulent new account.
Reporting and Securing Your Information
Once you have investigated the origin of the unsolicited credit card and understand the situation, specific actions are necessary. If the card was sent due to a mailing error or as a legitimate upgrade or replacement, contact the issuer to confirm the situation. Ensure the account is correctly handled and follow their instructions for securely destroying the card, such as shredding it.
If your investigation confirms that the card is a result of identity theft or fraud, formally report the incident. First, report the fraudulent account to the card issuer’s fraud department. Confirm that the account will be closed and ensure your liability for any charges is denied. Obtain a confirmation number for your report.
Next, place a fraud alert or a credit freeze on your credit reports with Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. A fraud alert advises creditors to verify your identity before extending new credit, lasting for one year. A credit freeze restricts access to your credit report, making it harder for new credit to be opened. While a fraud alert can be placed by contacting one bureau, which then notifies the others, a credit freeze requires you to contact each bureau individually.
File an identity theft report with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) through IdentityTheft.gov. This report helps dispute fraudulent activity and serves as an official record of the identity theft. Filing a police report may also be advisable, as some creditors may require it for identity theft claims, and it can be helpful for adding an extended fraud alert. Secure your other online accounts by changing passwords and enabling multi-factor authentication wherever possible. This helps prevent further unauthorized access to your personal and financial information.