What do I do when my bank opens up a credit card for me that I never requested?

Question

I received a credit card in the mail from my bank. I activated it thinking it was my renewed checking account card. Upon looking at the date of my checking account card I noticed it does not expire for another year. What was the new card for? I called the credit card company to ask them what the new card was for and who requested it. They told me that the bank preapproved a credit card for me and sent it. I did not personally sign or request this card. Can they do this without my permission? If I close it out will it drop my FICA score?

Answer 1

I would call the bank and find out why they sent a card you didnt ask for, and ask their policy on that and explain that the similarity of the cards caused you to activate a card you didnt want.  

It's possible that it can lower your credit score - cancelling cards instead of just letting them carry a zero balance can lower it.  With no transactions on it, though, I'm not sure.

Answer 2

call your bank immediately, this could be fraudulent activity on your account. also cancel the card! it will show that a card was opened on your credit report but since you didn't spend and closed the account, it shouldn't effect your score

Answer 3

Just call the issuing bank and cancel the card.  It will not affect your credit rating.

Answer 4

Having it open affects your credit score.  I would cancel it and tell them (in the cancellation letter) that you don't want this to affect your credit score (the fact that they opened it).  It may be too late, though, since you activated the account.  Since you never used it, it will only affect you by a point or two.

Answer 5

Just cancel the card nothing will be affected.

Answer 6

Call the 800# and tell them that you activated it thinking it was something else and that you don't want it and that you want it cancelled.

It will probably still go on your credit rating.  And yeah, you gave them permission when you activated it.

Answer 7

cut it up send it back -- phone them and tell them you've done so and ensure the account is CLOSED