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Learning, Sharing, and Teaching => Ask a Mustachian => Topic started by: RosieTR on August 27, 2015, 08:32:51 PM

Title: Surprise! Have a credit card!
Post by: RosieTR on August 27, 2015, 08:32:51 PM
Ooookkkkaaayyy. So DH received a credit card AND a joint card with a woman's name on it. Not my name. Nor anyone he's ever heard of. Obviously we did not order the card. When he called the number on the back the CC customer service disconnected him, twice, after he gave the card number. He was not being rude or anything. Finally called VISA fraud number to get to the bottom of this.

So-what should he do, other than credit monitoring? Anything? We did get a (different) card from the same bank a couple months ago, so wondering if we should cancel that. May just wait to see if CC sends us a new one. Odd because the recent card was not used at any of the known current scandals (Target, Home Depot etc) but the main card we use was and we've had no issues with that.
Title: Re: Surprise! Have a credit card!
Post by: Dicey on August 27, 2015, 08:56:32 PM
Start monitoring your credit report vigilantly. In fact, I'd put a freeze on everything so they have to contact you first.
Title: Re: Surprise! Have a credit card!
Post by: vagon on August 27, 2015, 09:07:27 PM
+! freeze you cards and monitor your transactions.
Also ask your bank to provide you with the names of anyone with authority to act on your accounts.

Scan your PC with an anti-virus.
After the scan change your passwords to new secure ones.

No, I am not being facetious.
Title: Re: Surprise! Have a credit card!
Post by: JAYSLOL on August 27, 2015, 09:39:54 PM
It is probably just a screw up at the credit card company, but do check your credit, scan computer and change passwords.  Also contact the bank and follow up with VISA again to find out what in the hell is going on. 
Don't be checking your credit report every day, over monitoring of credit can actually lower your score.
Title: Re: Surprise! Have a credit card!
Post by: MustachianAccountant on August 28, 2015, 03:49:59 AM
+! freeze you cards and monitor your transactions.
Also ask your bank to provide you with the names of anyone with authority to act on your accounts.

Scan your PC with an anti-virus.
After the scan change your passwords to new secure ones.

No, I am not being facetious.

Don't freeze your CARDS, freeze your CREDIT with Experian, Transunion, and Equifax. It may cost a few bucks, but will be well worth it. Doing this will require that the credit bureaus contact you before anything is opened, and anyone trying to sign up for a credit card or loan with your information will be denied. (The downside is that you need to "unfreeze" your credit to open such accounts for yourself.)s
Title: Re: Surprise! Have a credit card!
Post by: FLBiker on August 28, 2015, 01:52:30 PM
I'm sorry that I don't remember the exact name, but when someone tried to open a bank account using my info, I was able to put some sort of "watch" on my credit for free.  I think it lasted 18 months.  It didn't freeze things, but it meant that I got a call whenever someone (including me) tried to open a new line of credit.

In googling this, I found that you can put a free 90-day fraud alert on your account via the credit bureaus.  I think mine was longer, but it was several years ago.