Bank opened a credit card in my name without authorization?I recently went into my bank to ask about lowering my interest rate, and they said there was nothing they could do. They did, however, say that I could open up a new credit card and do a balance transfer with 0% interest for 6 months. I declined the offer, but the woman helping me opened one up in my name anyway.... |
Do not go in and say that you will be filing a FDCPA complaint. The FDCPA is for collectors and not for original creditors.
If you clearly stated to the CSR that you did not want to apply for a card then that CSR was in the wrong. (sounds like that CSR may have been going after the bonus money in signing a new account)
If that was the case:
Since a new account or even a new inquiry can end up screwing you on your mortgage app., you may be past trying to deal with this by speaking to the CSR's. You may need to involve the higher ups in the bank. The higher the better.
If you cannot get them to quickly close it and remove it from your reports, and it is a regular bank, you should file a complaint with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency.
Office of the Comptroller of the Currency
Customer Assistance Group
1301 McKinney Street, Suite 3710
Houston, TX 77010
800-613-6743
fax 713-336-4301
[email protected]
www.occ.treas.gov
If you had expressed interest in the new card then they may have been able to pull your credit, but they should not have been able to open the account without your agreement.
You should be able to close the credit card. Make sure you do this rather than just not using it because an open card will show up on your credit report, even if it carries a zero balance. If the bank refuses to close it, tell them you will take your business elsewhere. Ask to speak to the bank manager if you have to, and you can also send a letter to the credit reporting companies stating that you did not request this card and that it was opened without you signing or authorizing it. Also, state that you requested they close it. You can even send a letter to the bank outlining this and sending a copy of that letter to the credit reporting company. Keep a copy for yourself. Document everything. I would personally not do business with a bank that did something like this and wouldn't correct it. They are in a service business, and if they are not serving your needs, take your business elsewhere.
Go to the bank and tell them you are filing a complaint with the FDCPA, next if it shows up on your credit report which it will dispute it as not opened by you. You can also write the Attorney Generals office (online) your congressman (online) and file complaints not only with them but the FTC, the BBB and the banking commission for unfair and unscrupulous business practices. What they did was illegal and they should be held accountable but you will have to press the case
No, that's not legal. If you really want to pursue it, I'd demand that the account be closed and that the inquiry on your credit be removed. It will be a lot of work and you'll have to go WAY BEYOND just the employee at the bank who did it. Start with the Branch Manager. Then the Branch Manager's boss. Then his/her boss.
Write to the bank canceling the new account. Write to the credit reporting agencies explaining the error (the agencies have forms to do so) Also, write to the state department of banking reporting the event.
Tell the bank to close it (just cutting up the card does NOT close the account).
Don't use the card and immediatly close the account.
That's an overdraft protection card. Don't use it but certainly don't close it. You can cut up the card if you don't want to use it.
