When You’re Issued a Credit Card You Didn’t Apply For

Posted by: Michael S. | Jun 06,2008


Yep, it can happen.  You can open your mailbox and find a credit card that’s ready to use, just as if you applied for the card yourself.  The card will include an activation sticker on the card, signaling that you need to call a number to have the card activated, but this is the case with every card.  Why does this happen?  Consider this the next wave of pre-approval.  Credit card companies are sending out cards to make it that much easier to start spending on credit.  If people are actually holding a credit card in their hands, rather than just a pre-approved application, they’ll be much more likely to use the card.  

So what should you do if you get a card like this.  My recommendation is to cut the card into tiny pieces and shred the accompanying letter.  Chances are that this card will not have the best rate/limit/and fees for your credit history.  If you really want a credit card, you should shop around between different issuers, rather than take the first card that’s offered.  

You should also be wary.  Getting a card in the mail could be the result of identity fraud – a sort of cross in the wires – and you should immediately order a copy of your credit report to see if there have been any other inquiries made in your name.  If these types of credit card applications bother you, you could also think about contacting the three main credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion) and have yourself removed from pre-approved credit card lists.  This both alleviates a threat from identity thieves, as they can use the info on a pre-approved application, as well as being more environmentally-friendly.  

As I wouldn’t recommend signing up for any by-mail credit card application, it really makes sense to cut these out. As I mentioned, you’re much more likely to find a good credit card deal if you compare offers online.  By-mail offers are a product of the past – the pre-Internet days.  So you can avoid the hassle of being sent a full-bore credit card by requesting a block on new credit card offers.  

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