What to Do If You Get a Credit Card You Didn’t Request (2024)

A company can’t send you a credit card you didn’t request. Here’s what to do if you get a random, unsolicited credit card in the mail.

An "unsolicited" credit card is a credit card opened in a consumer's name without that person's permission. Under Regulation Z, which implements the Truth in Lending Act, it's illegal for a credit card company, store, or other entity to send you a credit card you didn't request. (12 C.F.R. § 226.12).

So, most companies don't send out straightforward, unsolicited cards. But some companies try to get around the law by sending "replacement" credit cards for accounts that are no longer active. Sending these types of cards, if unsolicited, still violates the law.

However, if your card is active or if you made an oral or written request for the card, a company may send a replacement card even if the new card has different features. And, occasionally, a bank might issue a credit card in error.

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.

However, even if you don't want the card, you shouldn't just throw it away. Take the following steps instead (before cutting up and trashing the card).

1. Close the Account

First, close the account. If you don't, your credit file might show that you have an account with an open line of credit. Some creditors won't extend credit to people they believe already have too much credit. Having an unused account could be grounds for denying you future credit or limiting increases on existing accounts. (But see "What to Do When You're Misled Into Signing Up for a Card" below, which covers how your credit utilization ratio affects your credit. This section assumes you didn't accidently sign up for the card, which means the card shouldn't appear on your credit, even as a hard inquiry, and you should close the account to protect your credit.)

Before you cut up and toss the card, make a copy, and then call the issuer. But don't call the activation phone number on the sticker on the front of the card. You'll probably reach an automated system, and you might not be able to talk to a representative. Instead, contact the customer service number or the fraud department. Inform the representative who you speak to that:

  • you believe the company sent you the unsolicited card in violation of the law
  • you don't want the card
  • the company must cancel the account, and
  • it must provide you with written evidence that it did not—and will not—report the account to any credit reporting agency.

2. Send a Confirmation Letter

After you call, send a confirmation letter by certified mail, return receipt requested to the company. Keep a copy for your files, along with information about the credit card, like the account number and name on the account.

3. Figure Out If You're a Victim of Identity Theft

Unfortunately, it's possible that someone applied for the credit card in your name, which means you're a victim of identity theft. If that's the case or you have any other reason to suspect identity theft, you'll need to take steps to prevent further fraud on other accounts.

For one thing, you should immediately place a freeze on your credit files. Also, consider filing a report with your local police station if your identity was stolen.

Get Your Credit Reports and Review Them Carefully for Identity Theft

Get weekly copies of your credit reports and check to be sure the account is not on the reports. (It should fall off after a few weeks.) Also, look for accounts you didn't open. The credit reporting agencies provide free weekly reports online. Go to AnnualCreditReport.com to get your reports.

If you find other accounts on your reports that don't belong to you, you need to file a dispute with the credit reporting agency about any suspicious activity you find and contact those companies immediately. You can use the FTC's Sample Identity Theft Letter to a Credit Bureau and Section 605B(a) of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) as an enclosure. (15 U.S.C. § 1681c-2). You must send each agency:

  • proof of your identity
  • a copy of an identity theft report (see below)
  • the disputed information (such as a copy of your credit report identifying the fraudulent debts), and
  • a statement the information doesn't relate to any transaction you made.

The agency usually must block reporting of the information within four business days and inform the creditor that provided the information. But a credit reporting agency is allowed to decline to block or rescind a block if you got goods, services, or money as a result of the blocked transaction. The creditor can't re-report the information to credit reporting agencies. (15 U.S.C. § 1681s-2).

How to Report Identity Theft

To report identity theft, go to the FTC website IdentityTheft.gov, get a recovery plan, and get an identity theft report.

4. File a Complaint With the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

Also, consider sending a complaint to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau or the Federal Trade Commission.

Unsolicited Credit Card Offers

Sometimes, when you get credit cards in the mail that you haven't applied for, those are credit card offers—not actual, usable cards. You have to submit an application and be approved for credit before you get access to a functioning card.

If you want to stop these unsolicited credit card offers, the FCRA gives you the right to opt out of them. (15 U.S.C. § 1681b(c)). To opt out, call 888-5-OPTOUT (888-567-8688) or go to www.optoutprescreen.com. You can opt out for five years or permanently.

What to Do When You're Misled Into Signing Up for a Card

Here's what to do if you get tricked into signing up for a credit card. For example, say you sign up to receive "free points" at a store, but the personal information you provided is used for a credit card application.

First, it's generally pretty hard to accidentally sign up for a credit card. You'd need to provide a lot of personal information as part of the process. You shouldn't have to give lots of your confidential information, like your Social Security number, date of birth, and income, just to get something like free points or perks.

Also, the card issuer must disclose important details about the card, such as the interest rate and any other charges or fees that come with the card. (12 C.F.R. § 1026.60). So, it would be unusual to accidentally apply for a card. Still, if you didn't understand you were signing up for a card and didn't mean to open up a new credit account, you have a few options.

You could close the account. You'll probably have a hard inquiry on your credit because of the application, which will slightly damage your credit scores. But this damage will only last for a short time.

Or you could keep the card and just not use it, which could actually help your credit. The new credit limit would increase your available credit, which could help lower your credit utilization ratio. Your "credit utilization ratio" is the percentage of your total credit lines that you're currently using. And when it comes to credit scores, a lower credit utilization ratio is better.

When to Talk to a Lawyer

If an identity thief has opened new accounts in your name and you need help dealing with the aftermath, consider talking to a consumer protection lawyer.

What to Do If You Get a Credit Card You Didn’t Request (2024)

FAQs

What to Do If You Get a Credit Card You Didn’t Request? ›

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 if you get an unsolicited credit card? ›

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.

How to see if someone opened a credit card in your name? ›

Pulling your credit report and credit score is the most accurate and convenient way to find all of the accounts that have been reported in your name. Your credit report will display every open account in your name, from bank accounts to credit cards and more.

What if I accidentally gave credit card info to scammer? ›

Contact your bank or credit card issuer

Alert your credit card issuer that your credit card information was compromised so they can resolve any fraudulent charges, cancel your compromised card and issue you a new one. Inform your bank if you used your debit card so that you can get a new one as well.

Why would someone open a credit card using my address? ›

Identity theft.

If identity thieves have your address, they may be able to misrepresent you.

What to do if scammer opens credit card in your name? ›

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.

What to do if someone applies for a credit card in your name? ›

How to report identity theft
  1. Call your credit card issuer. ...
  2. Ask your issuer to freeze your account. ...
  3. Update your passwords. ...
  4. Activate fraud alerts on your credit reports. ...
  5. Report the fraud to the FTC.
Mar 22, 2024

How can I check if someone has applied for credit in my name? ›

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.

How do I check if someone is using my name? ›

So, here's a list of the most common ways to determine if someone is using your identity without your knowledge.
  1. Credit report. ...
  2. Fishy transactions and bank statements. ...
  3. Unknown or missed bills. ...
  4. Tax refund issues. ...
  5. Unauthorized changes in online accounts. ...
  6. Missing physical mail. ...
  7. Identity theft protection service alerts.
Oct 27, 2023

What to do if someone opens an account in your name? ›

To report identity theft, contact: The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) online at IdentityTheft.gov or call 1-877-438-4338. The three major credit reporting agencies. Ask them to place fraud alerts and a credit freeze on your accounts.

What to do after giving credit card info to scammer? ›

5 steps to take if you're a victim of credit card fraud
  1. Call your credit card company immediately.
  2. Check your credit card accounts and change your passwords.
  3. Notify the credit bureaus and call the police if necessary.
  4. Monitor your statements and credit reports.
  5. Check your online shopping accounts.
Oct 15, 2023

Can you track someone who used your credit card online? ›

Unlike in-person (or card-present) fraud, there is usually no witness or security camera footage to track or identify the person using the card, so finding the culprit can be significantly more challenging. The first thing you must do once you spot a suspicious transaction is contact your bank.

How did the scammer get my credit card number? ›

Scammers steal credit card numbers in a variety of ways, such as through phishing attacks, hijacking payment forms, intercepting public Wi-Fi, and more. Last year, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) received 1.1 million identity theft reports, with nearly half of those involving credit card fraud [*].

Why did I receive a credit card without applying? ›

Receiving an unsolicited card also could mean that a third party has applied for the card after stealing your identity. If you suspect identity theft, you should order a copy of your credit report. You can order one free credit report every 12 months through www.annualcreditreport.com or by calling (877) 322-8228.

How did someone use my credit card without having it? ›

These details can be stolen electronically without obtaining the physical card. The theft of credit card data for use in card-not-present fraud most commonly occurs through online phishing or through theft of a customer's credit card information by dishonest employees.

Why am I getting mail with someone else's name at my address? ›

Most of the time, if you're getting mail intended for someone else it's for one of two reasons: (1) it's for a neighbor and your postal carrier made a mistake, or (2) it's for the previous tenant or homeowner who lived at your address. Is it illegal to open someone else's mail? Yes.

Why would I receive a credit card I didn't apply for? ›

Receiving an unsolicited card also could mean that a third party has applied for the card after stealing your identity. If you suspect identity theft, you should order a copy of your credit report. You can order one free credit report every 12 months through www.annualcreditreport.com or by calling (877) 322-8228.

How do I dispute a credit card that is not mine? ›

5 Steps To Take if Someone Opens a Credit Card in Your Name
  1. Contact the Credit Card Issuer's Fraud Department. ...
  2. Report the Identity Theft. ...
  3. Consider a Fraud Alert or Credit Freeze. ...
  4. Review Your Credit Reports. ...
  5. Dispute Fraudulent Information With the Credit Bureaus.
Aug 22, 2019

How do I stop getting unsolicited credit card offers? ›

You can stop receiving unsolicited "preapproved" credit card offers by having your name removed from the credit reporting agency mailing lists. Call (888) 5-OPT-OUT (that is, (888) 567-8688) or visit OptOutPrescreen.com.

What happens if I get an unsolicited debit card in the mail? ›

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.

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