I received a Brinks Pre-paid MasterCard that I didn't apply for.

[Anonymous]

I'm trying to call customer service to determine why and how I received this.  Is this just a promotional thing, and that they send this out to everyone, is it automatically activated due to someone stealing my identity?  If it's the latter, why would they have the card sent to my home?  I'm really worred about this.  When I called, I couldn't get a live agent because I had to verify my identity with my social security number, which I was NOT going to provide.  What can I do?  I need to call and inquire, but I'm not going to be a victim of some phishing scam.

Please help.  

[FinStar]

Did you recently participate in any type of marketing promotion with a vendor or merchant?  Anyone in your family enter a drawing or something recently?  Is the pre-paid MC embossed with your name?  You could, for the sake of making sure everything is kosher, check your CRs to ensure there's no funky business going on.

[Themanwhocan]

Either way, submit a complaint with cfpb. shady practices at the very least.

http://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/

[Anonymous]

Just enter something like all 9s. 999-99-9999 just to get through.

[creditguy]

Once I received a prepaid card once from some obscure bank with my name on it. It was more or less a marketing gimmick to get me to sign up with them. Needless to say I did not and would never consider doing business with a company that uses such tactics. A quick google search shows you are not the only one receiving these brinks cards and it appears to be more marketing than scam. But you never know, so just shred the card and monitor your reports. Good Luck. 

[Anonymous]

No, I haven't participated in any promotions, but I have been searching for a job (I'm currently working, but looking).  No one in my family has done so, either.  And yes, the card does have my name on it.  I'm very worried about this as I do not want this card or the responsibility.

[Anonymous]

JohnyConsumer, great idea - Thank you!!!  

[Anonymous]

CreditGuy, thank you!  That makes me feel slightly better.