What do you do if you receive a debit/credit card you didn't apply for? (2024)

FAQs

What do you do if you receive a debit/credit card you didn't apply for? ›

If you receive a card you didn't apply for, contact the bank, explain you didn't apply for the card and ask for the account to be closed. Also ask the bank to remove the account from your credit history. If you want to sound an alarm, you should also file a complaint with the CFPB about the unsolicited card.

If you receive a debit/credit card that you didn't apply for from a bank that you don't bank with, call the card's bank immediately. The bank will be able to clarify why you received the card or tell you if it's a scam. Do NOT use the contact numbers provided in the mail with the card.

Occasionally, a bank may issue a credit card in error. In such a case, you should direct the bank to close the account and remove any record of the account from your credit history. Receiving an unsolicited card also could mean that a third party has applied for the card after stealing your identity.

What to Do When You Receive a Credit Card You Didn't Apply For. If you receive a credit card you didn't request, you don't have to accept it. But don't use the card. Once you use an unsolicited credit card, you've accepted it and become responsible for the charges on it.

The best way to find out if someone has opened an account in your name is to pull your own credit reports to check. Note that you'll need to pull your credit reports from all three bureaus — Experian, Equifax and TransUnion — to check for fraud since each report may have different information and reporting.

If you receive a debit card that you didn't apply for from a bank that you don't bank with, you should: Call the card's bank immediately. Do not use the contact numbers provided in the mail with the card.

Why accounts are opened in other people's names. Scammers may open a bank account fraudulently in someone else's name to bounce checks or overdraw the account. Others may intend to use the account for storing illicitly obtained funds.

Address fraud is a type of identity theft that occurs when a fraudster uses someone else's address, or a fake one, to facilitate illegal activities. This can include obtaining credit, goods, or services under false pretenses, or it can be used to facilitate other criminal activities.

Check your Experian Credit Report

You can do this by requesting your free statutory credit report, or by signing up to CreditExpert. This will let you see if there's anything you don't recognise. If there is, we can help you query it with the lender.

Banks need your permission to open a credit card account

The Truth in Lending Act says banks cannot issue you a credit card unless it is in response to a request or application you make, in writing or orally, to the issuer. So, banks can't just issue you a card you did not apply for out of the blue.

Do banks send unsolicited debit cards? ›

A financial institution may issue an unsolicited access device (such as the combination of a debit card and PIN) if the institution's ATM system has been programmed not to accept the access device until after the consumer requests and the institution validates the device.

If you open a new account in a branch, the bank may provide a temporary card in the branch and then mail the debit card to you. The card and the PIN will arrive separately in the mail. After you receive your debit card, you will need to activate your debit card before you can use it.

If someone stole your identity and is using it to open up credit accounts, you could've received a store credit card that the thief signed up for. Identity theft is a serious issue and also qualifies as fraud.

Someone has opened an account in my name

If this happens, contact your bank straight away and make sure you keep all correspondence. Also contact credit reference agencies if someone has applied for a loan or credit card in your name.

Activate a credit freeze or extended fraud alert

As an alternative, you can also set up a credit freeze with each of the credit bureaus, which will prevent anyone from opening new accounts in your name until you personally take steps to “unfreeze” your reports.

A financial institution may issue an unsolicited access device (such as the combination of a debit card and PIN) if the institution's ATM system has been programmed not to accept the access device until after the consumer requests and the institution validates the device.

A bank cannot create a credit card account for you without your express permission. In case you get a card you did not sign up for, you should contact the issuer and ask it to close the account. Don't use the card if you don't want to be held responsible for it.

Immediately notify the bank and identify by date and dollar amount the transactions that you did not authorize. The bank will review your claim and may ask you to complete an affidavit unauthorized use.

Criminals may also be able to access your debit card information through a process called card skimming. Card skimming can happen anywhere — a shop, a restaurant, or an entertainment venue. People will utilize devices to capture card information, which they can later use to clone a card or make online purchases.