topic Re: What would you do? in Credit Cards

What would you do?

Anonymous — Mon, 24 Aug 2015 01:54:22 GMT

I started a thread on here, not too long ago, about... starting out, and getting starter cards to begin my Credit Journey.

Now, as hard as I tried, I could never get my reports to pull directly from (Annual Credit Report) However... I was able to get FAKO scores via Credit Karma, Quizzle & Credit Seasme, without any problems, and didn't notice anything in-correct.

Anyhow.... Temptation got the best of me, and I re-applied for a Chase Freedom card a few days ago. (Keep in mind, I had just been declined a week or so prior for "lack of credit history"... yet, I had a pre-approved offer on Chase.com)

Once Again, I get the 7-10 Day message and I call in. This time, I'm told I was approved... and I was given a $4,200 limit...

(*In my mind* Ugh.. Okay, a little much but I'll go with it )

But... before my card could be mailed out, I needed to speak with the Verification Team, because.... the representative, couldn't bypass the prompt herself. (I'm new to Credit, I didn't think much of it)

So, that same night, I decided to get my FICO score from Experian.com . Once, my accounts signed up.. I notice something.

On the right side, it says something about "Credit Usage on your FIA CSNA account decreased significantly to 2%." But... it won't let me click on it. And it's nowhere on my credit reports.

So, I try Googleing FIA CSNA, and it's Bank of America. (I have a checking & savings account with them) Hmmmm... I'm pretty sure, I didn't opt-in for overdraft protection, I don't have a Credit Card with them either... I should call in and ask what that is.

I reach the Consumer Banking side, and I'm told it's a Credit Card account... then I'm transferred over to Card Services. (Computer Voice) It says "Hello (MY NAME)... are you calling about your "Credit Card ending in blah blah" and I say "Yes"... and I'm connected to a representative.

(I ask the representative, *since I apparently have a account*) What is my Credit Limit? How much do I owe at the moment? When is my payment due?

And the lady, spills it all. I have a $26,000 Credit Line, I owe $314 (and some change, I didn't write down the exact amount), and "my" account has auto-bill pay setup (I'm assuming, in Full) from my Regions Bank checking account. (I've never had a account with Regions.)

I didn't tell the representative, it's not my account... because, I'd like to get more information out of them (Like the address "my" statements are being sent to.)

Now.... most people, would be probably freaking out at this point. But... in my head, I'm not convinced my identity hasn't been stolen. I mean... I've been to the Bank of America branch, countless times, over the years, and I'm sure the lady handling my account *would* have noticed me having a Credit Card.

Not only that... but the account is *actually* being paid. What kind of identity thief does that? And the account isin't maxed out either. And wouldn't it *actually* appear on my credit reports? I'm still going to follow through with putting a Security Freeze & Fraud Alert on my reports.

But, I'm thinking, this is more of a Cross-Up... or an error. I mean... I'm no identity thief, but... if you we're going to open a account in someone's name, and get a good limit, why wouldn't you max it out, and let it default? Why constantly make payments on it, and utilize so little?

I'm posting this for, just general advice. What would you do in this situation? Should I be super concerned, or... is it more likely a mixup of some sort?

Re: What would you do?

Anonymous — Mon, 24 Aug 2015 01:57:26 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
I started a thread on here, not too long ago, about... starting out, and getting starter cards to begin my Credit Journey.

Now, as hard as I tried, I could never get my reports to pull directly from (Annual Credit Report) However... I was able to get FAKO scores via Credit Karma, Quizzle & Credit Seasme, without any problems, and didn't notice anything in-correct.

Anyhow.... Temptation got the best of me, and I re-applied for a Chase Freedom card a few days ago. (Keep in mind, I had just been declined a week or so prior for "lack of credit history"... yet, I had a pre-approved offer on Chase.com)

Once Again, I get the 7-10 Day message and I call in. This time, I'm told I was approved... and I was given a $4,200 limit...

(*In my mind* Ugh.. Okay, a little much but I'll go with it )

But... before my card could be mailed out, I needed to speak with the Verification Team, because.... the representative, couldn't bypass the prompt herself. (I'm new to Credit, I didn't think much of it)

So, that same night, I decided to get my FICO score from Experian.com . Once, my accounts signed up.. I notice something.

On the right side, it says something about "Credit Usage on your FIA CSNA account decreased significantly to 2%." But... it won't let me click on it. And it's nowhere on my credit reports.

So, I try Googleing FIA CSNA, and it's Bank of America. (I have a checking & savings account with them) Hmmmm... I'm pretty sure, I didn't opt-in for overdraft protection, I don't have a Credit Card with them either... I should call in and ask what that is.

I reach the Consumer Banking side, and I'm told it's a Credit Card account... then I'm transferred over to Card Services. (Computer Voice) It says "Hello (MY NAME)... are you calling about your "Credit Card ending in blah blah" and I say "Yes"... and I'm connected to a representative.

(I ask the representative, *since I apparently have a account*) What is my Credit Limit? How much do I owe at the moment? When is my payment due?

And the lady, spills it all. I have a $26,000 Credit Line, I owe $314 (and some change, I didn't write down the exact amount), and "my" account has auto-bill pay setup (I'm assuming, in Full) from my Regions Bank checking account. (I've never had a account with Regions.)

I didn't tell the representative, it's not my account... because, I'd like to get more information out of them (Like the address "my" statements are being sent to.)

Now.... most people, would be probably freaking out at this point. But... in my head, I'm not convinced my identity hasn't been stolen. I mean... I've been to the Bank of America branch, countless times, over the years, and I'm sure the lady handling my account *would* have noticed me having a Credit Card.

Not only that... but the account is *actually* being paid. What kind of identity thief does that? And the account isin't maxed out either. And wouldn't it *actually* appear on my credit reports? I'm still going to follow through with putting a Security Freeze & Fraud Alert on my reports.

But, I'm thinking, this is more of a Cross-Up... or an error. I mean... I'm no identity thief, but... if you we're going to open a account in someone's name, and get a good limit, why wouldn't you max it out, and let it default? Why constantly make payments on it, and utilize so little?

I'm posting this for, just general advice. What would you do in this situation? Should I be super concerned, or... is it more likely a mixup of some sort?

Get them to send you this card.

Re: What would you do?

Callandra — Mon, 24 Aug 2015 02:01:15 GMT

Have you been able to pull your reports from here? It's possible someone has the exact same name as you and the files have somehow gotten mixed up (I don't remember your other posts, but do you have a SSN from when you were born or do you have newly issued one?).

It could also be identity theft as well but it's weird that someone would make payments on it.

I would be concerned though because FIA thinks it's your account when it's not if they were willing to give you info about it on the phone. I suggest nipping this in the bud NOW.

Re: What would you do?

myjourney — Mon, 24 Aug 2015 02:05:13 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
I started a thread on here, not too long ago, about... starting out, and getting starter cards to begin my Credit Journey.

Now, as hard as I tried, I could never get my reports to pull directly from (Annual Credit Report) However... I was able to get FAKO scores via Credit Karma, Quizzle & Credit Seasme, without any problems, and didn't notice anything in-correct.

Anyhow.... Temptation got the best of me, and I re-applied for a Chase Freedom card a few days ago. (Keep in mind, I had just been declined a week or so prior for "lack of credit history"... yet, I had a pre-approved offer on Chase.com)

Once Again, I get the 7-10 Day message and I call in. This time, I'm told I was approved... and I was given a $4,200 limit...

(*In my mind* Ugh.. Okay, a little much but I'll go with it )

But... before my card could be mailed out, I needed to speak with the Verification Team, because.... the representative, couldn't bypass the prompt herself. (I'm new to Credit, I didn't think much of it)

So, that same night, I decided to get my FICO score from Experian.com . Once, my accounts signed up.. I notice something.

On the right side, it says something about "Credit Usage on your FIA CSNA account decreased significantly to 2%." But... it won't let me click on it. And it's nowhere on my credit reports.

So, I try Googleing FIA CSNA, and it's Bank of America. (I have a checking & savings account with them) Hmmmm... I'm pretty sure, I didn't opt-in for overdraft protection, I don't have a Credit Card with them either... I should call in and ask what that is.

I reach the Consumer Banking side, and I'm told it's a Credit Card account... then I'm transferred over to Card Services. (Computer Voice) It says "Hello (MY NAME)... are you calling about your "Credit Card ending in blah blah" and I say "Yes"... and I'm connected to a representative.

(I ask the representative, *since I apparently have a account*) What is my Credit Limit? How much do I owe at the moment? When is my payment due?

And the lady, spills it all. I have a $26,000 Credit Line, I owe $314 (and some change, I didn't write down the exact amount), and "my" account has auto-bill pay setup (I'm assuming, in Full) from my Regions Bank checking account. (I've never had a account with Regions.)

I didn't tell the representative, it's not my account... because, I'd like to get more information out of them (Like the address "my" statements are being sent to.)

Now.... most people, would be probably freaking out at this point. But... in my head, I'm not convinced my identity hasn't been stolen. I mean... I've been to the Bank of America branch, countless times, over the years, and I'm sure the lady handling my account *would* have noticed me having a Credit Card.

Not only that... but the account is *actually* being paid. What kind of identity thief does that? And the account isin't maxed out either. And wouldn't it *actually* appear on my credit reports? I'm still going to follow through with putting a Security Freeze & Fraud Alert on my reports.

But, I'm thinking, this is more of a Cross-Up... or an error. I mean... I'm no identity thief, but... if you we're going to open a account in someone's name, and get a good limit, why wouldn't you max it out, and let it default? Why constantly make payments on it, and utilize so little?

I'm posting this for, just general advice. What would you do in this situation? Should I be super concerned, or... is it more likely a mixup of some sort?

Its done so that they can apply for 20 more cards down the road and then max them all out and disapppear

Shut the card down.... pull all reports, freeze all CB's and file a police report

Re: What would you do?

core — Mon, 24 Aug 2015 02:09:46 GMT

This is a good story! I don't think it's identity theft, because if someone stole your identity with your "lack of credit history" (according to Chase) you would not have received a $26k limit from FIA.

So obviously it's somebody else's card. As for what to do about it, well since you said it's not reporting on any of your reports, I don't see a way to get much out of this. On the other hand, I don't see why Experian would notify you of the decrease to 2% if it's not on your reports. Are you absolutely sure? Get a paper copy.

If it's reporting on EX, I'd find a lender that pulls EX and apply for a card! You might get a nice fat limit.

If Mr. X ever gets late on his FIA card you can always dispute it off with 'not mine' because that's the truth.

Re: What would you do?

Anonymous — Mon, 24 Aug 2015 02:11:58 GMT

once, when i used to work in that realm..i had a coworker somehow open an account for a european vistor here on a temp visa..hoping to find work..with no social..

but somehow the account was opened with a social anyways.

guy comes back, w8/w9 form and obviously back office wanted more paperwork.

he was confused as he knows he doesn't have a tax payer ID.

so, we manipulated the system manually to correct this error.

but while it was in process, another branch in florida called and apparently someone with that exact social decided within that week we were clearing it up, to go in and apply for a cc only to find that he already has a profile on system (even though he has no products with us prior) and that he "tried for a card" but was rejected.

long story short you'd think this coworker of mine was scheming but no, he really is just that big of a dork because there was another case (after he was fired for that instance) where a mom and daughter had come in to open account and SOMEHOW even with them both having socials, he manages to make the mom have the daughter's social, and the daughter is goodness knows what social..and we only figured it out when the mom came in perplexed as to why when she called in to get info that the rep said her answers didn't match..one of the questions being her social, and she looked at me like..i know what my social is..

point is, mistakes happen.. and more than likely something happened there, for that person who does bank with region's bank..probably has a super high income too to get a CL like that alongside your good credit..

Re: What would you do?

CH-7-Mission-Accomplished — Mon, 24 Aug 2015 03:50:49 GMT

I would not glibly brush this off. I would go to a BofA branch and sit there until you are dead certain they do not think this person is you. How did the automated system identify you? By your phone number? Did they ask you to confirm your social security number, date of birth, etc.?

Even if it is an honest mixup, get it straightened out now. You don't want to be associated with somebody else using an account with your namea and info.

It's easy enough to say, Yeah let it go you can always dispute it later. Try telling that to people who spend five years trying to get their credit life back after ID theft. You don't know what a living hell is until you have been there.

Get it cleared it up now.

Re: What would you do?

Anonymous — Mon, 24 Aug 2015 04:16:58 GMT

The limit and payment amount almost made me think of a car loan or something.

Re: What would you do?

Anonymous — Mon, 24 Aug 2015 04:21:20 GMT

@CH-7-Mission-Accomplished wrote:
I would not glibly brush this off. I would go to a BofA branch and sit there until you are dead certain they do not think this person is you. How did the automated system identify you? By your phone number? Did they ask you to confirm your social security number, date of birth, etc.?

Even if it is an honest mixup, get it straightened out now. You don't want to be associated with somebody else using an account with your namea and info.

It's easy enough to say, Yeah let it go you can always dispute it later. Try telling that to people who spend five years trying to get their credit life back after ID theft. You don't know what a living hell is until you have been there.

Get it cleared it up now.

Re: What would you do?

Cotton_Britches — Mon, 24 Aug 2015 04:54:46 GMT

It's paid now but what if they file bankruptcy and that shows up on your credit reports? Correct it immediately. Best to prevent a disaster than clean it up later on.

Re: What would you do?

core — Mon, 24 Aug 2015 05:10:30 GMT

A person that owed $314 on a $26k limit is not going to file BK in the next month, so I see nothing wrong with waiting just a couple weeks before getting this taken care of. In that time, if it's possible to milk something out of it in those few weeks, that is. After all, how long as this been going on previously before the OP discovered it? The fact that it was just now discovered doesn't mean that bad things are going to suddenly happen by coincidence.

Who knows, this could be a 20 year old line and we know for certain it's $26k. That might be an easy ticket to a 10-15k line with a new creditor. I'm sure many folks here would rather spend all the years building up their credit the hard/honest way, but me I'm going to take opportunities when they present themselves. Nothing is without risk in this world. Calculating those risks is what it's all about. This one seems like a good gamble to me, depending on what the CRA reports say when the "real" ones are pulled. Because whoever this card belongs to seems like a good payer to me.

If it were me I'd even go so far as to leave it alone for years, and only bail on it if I saw that the balance was increasing. After all, it's only this card, not the person's entire history. If they have trouble, as long as it doesn't have to do with this card then I see no issues. You don't IIB a $0 balance.

Re: What would you do?

CH-7-Mission-Accomplished — Mon, 24 Aug 2015 05:20:28 GMT

This is the worst advce I've ever read on MyFICO.

Re: What would you do?

core — Mon, 24 Aug 2015 05:24:55 GMT

@CH-7-Mission-Accomplished wrote:
This is the worst advce I've ever read on MyFICO.

Thank you, that's quite the honor. But it was not quite "advice". I was merely answering the question of the topic, which was what would I do. That's what I would do. But then again I live for this kind of stuff.

Re: What would you do?

Anonymous — Tue, 25 Aug 2015 19:30:46 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:

Get them to send you this card.

I'd be lieing if I didn't say, I really did think about this How nice, a instant credit card. No INQ.

Re: What would you do?

Anonymous — Tue, 25 Aug 2015 19:32:57 GMT

@Callandra wrote:
Have you been able to pull your reports from here? It's possible someone has the exact same name as you and the files have somehow gotten mixed up (I don't remember your other posts, but do you have a SSN from when you were born or do you have newly issued one?).

It could also be identity theft as well but it's weird that someone would make payments on it.

I would be concerned though because FIA thinks it's your account when it's not if they were willing to give you info about it on the phone. I suggest nipping this in the bud NOW.

I ordered my TU, EQ, EXP reports over the phone, Monday night. According to one lady, I spoke with at TU.... the paper reports are more detailed, and are more likely to have account information (that could be missing online).

I guess I'll have my answer in a few days though

Re: What would you do?

Anonymous — Tue, 25 Aug 2015 19:36:06 GMT

@Cotton_Britches wrote:
It's paid now but what if they file bankruptcy and that shows up on your credit reports? Correct it immediately. Best to prevent a disaster than clean it up later on.

I've gotta figure out exactly what's happening first. I made a appointment with my Banker for later this week, so I'll see exactly how I'm assocaited with this card.

Part of me wonders, if the account was opened by accident with My Social (BOFA Call System Lookup) and that's why I'm able to hear about it. But.... wouldn't the Credit Reports tell me if someone was out there, using my social under a different name?

Re: What would you do?

EddieK — Tue, 25 Aug 2015 19:52:15 GMT

Albeit a very small chance, but would a family member have you as an AU on one of their BOA cards?