Credit card -- Getting a credit card -- Complaint #18398268
Unauthorized Credit Card Account Opened and Closed
Complaint Overview
Complaint ID: 18398268
Company: Equifax, INC.
Product: Credit card
Sub-Product: General-purpose credit card or charge card
Issue: Getting a credit card
Sub-Issue: Card opened without my consent or knowledge
State: Illinois
ZIP Code: 60804
Date Received: 2025-12-31T12:00:00-05:00
Date Sent to Company: 2025-12-31T12:00:00-05:00
Company Response: Closed with explanation
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Submitted Via: Web
Risk Assessment
Risk Level: medium
This situation indicates a potential security breach or identity theft, which could lead to financial harm and damage to the consumer's credit score if not properly addressed.
Consumer Sentiment: negative
Topics: Identity Theft, Unauthorized Account, Credit Card Fraud
AI Analysis
CFPB complaint 18398268 was filed against EQUIFAX, INC. regarding Credit card (General-purpose credit card or charge card), specifically about "Getting a credit card". A consumer's credit card was opened without their knowledge or consent, and the account was subsequently closed with an explanation. The complaint was received on December 31, 2025 from Illinois. The company responded with "Closed with explanation".
What You Should Do -- Consumer Action Plan
Consumers should immediately review their credit reports for any unfamiliar accounts and dispute any unauthorized activity with the credit bureaus and the involved financial institution.
Legal Context & Consumer Protection Laws
Opening an account without consent may violate consumer protection laws related to identity theft and unauthorized credit access.
Regulatory Insight
Financial institutions have a responsibility to implement robust security measures to prevent account fraud and to investigate suspicious account openings promptly.
Resolution Likelihood
likely
State-Specific Consumer Protections
In Illinois, consumers have rights under state and federal laws to protect themselves from identity theft and fraudulent account openings.
Industry Comparison
This issue is common across the credit card industry, highlighting ongoing challenges with data security and identity verification.
Related Issues
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CFPB complaint 18398268 about?
CFPB complaint 18398268 involves Credit card (General-purpose credit card or charge card). The consumer reported an issue with "Getting a credit card", specifically "Card opened without my consent or knowledge". This complaint was filed against EQUIFAX, INC. on December 31, 2025.
Which company is complaint 18398268 filed against?
Complaint 18398268 was filed against EQUIFAX, INC.. You can view all complaints against this company on their profile page at /company/equifax-inc.
What was the company's response to complaint 18398268?
EQUIFAX, INC. responded with "Closed with explanation". The response was marked as timely by the CFPB.
When was complaint 18398268 filed?
Complaint 18398268 was received by the CFPB on December 31, 2025. It was sent to EQUIFAX, INC. on December 31, 2025.
What state was complaint 18398268 filed from?
Complaint 18398268 was filed from Illinois. You can view all complaints from this state at /state/IL.
Was the consumer satisfied with the resolution of complaint 18398268?
Dispute information is not available for complaint 18398268.
What product category is complaint 18398268 about?
Complaint 18398268 is categorized under "Credit card", specifically "General-purpose credit card or charge card". This is one of the product categories tracked by the CFPB.
How was complaint 18398268 submitted?
Complaint 18398268 was submitted via Web. The CFPB accepts complaints through web, phone, mail, email, fax, and referral channels.
What are the consumer's legal options for complaint 18398268?
Opening an account without consent may violate consumer protection laws related to identity theft and unauthorized credit access. This relates to a Credit card complaint against EQUIFAX, INC. involving "Getting a credit card".
How likely is complaint 18398268 to be resolved?
Resolution likelihood: likely. The company's current response is "Closed with explanation". The company did respond in a timely manner, which is a positive indicator.
What does the risk level mean for complaint 18398268?
This complaint is rated as medium risk. This situation indicates a potential security breach or identity theft, which could lead to financial harm and damage to the consumer's credit score if not properly addressed.
What regulatory actions apply to complaint 18398268?
Financial institutions have a responsibility to implement robust security measures to prevent account fraud and to investigate suspicious account openings promptly. The CFPB tracks complaints like this one to identify patterns of misconduct across the Credit card industry.
What should the consumer do about complaint 18398268?
Consumers should immediately review their credit reports for any unfamiliar accounts and dispute any unauthorized activity with the credit bureaus and the involved financial institution.
Are there state-specific protections for complaint 18398268?
In Illinois, consumers have rights under state and federal laws to protect themselves from identity theft and fraudulent account openings. This complaint was filed from Illinois.
How does complaint 18398268 compare to industry norms?
This issue is common across the credit card industry, highlighting ongoing challenges with data security and identity verification.
What steps should a consumer take if they discover an account opened in their name without authorization?
The consumer should immediately contact the credit card issuer to report the fraud, dispute the unauthorized account, and place a fraud alert on their credit reports with the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion).
How can consumers protect themselves from unauthorized credit card accounts being opened in their name?
Consumers can protect themselves by regularly monitoring their credit reports, using strong and unique passwords for online accounts, being cautious about sharing personal information, and considering credit freezes.
Disclaimer
This analysis is AI-generated and does not constitute legal advice.