Credit card -- Getting a credit card -- Complaint #19912569
Store Card Opened Without Consent
Complaint Overview
Complaint ID: 19912569
Company: Synchrony Financial
Product: Credit card
Sub-Product: Store credit card
Issue: Getting a credit card
Sub-Issue: Card opened without my consent or knowledge
State: California
ZIP Code: 94509
Date Received: 2026-02-28T12:00:00-05:00
Date Sent to Company: 2026-03-02T12:00:00-05:00
Company Response: In progress
Timely Response: Yes
Consumer Disputed: N/A
Submitted Via: Referral
Risk Assessment
Risk Level: high
Opening credit accounts without consumer consent can lead to significant financial harm and identity theft concerns, warranting a high-risk assessment.
Consumer Sentiment: negative
Topics: Unauthorized Account Opening, Identity Theft, Credit Card Fraud
AI Analysis
CFPB complaint 19912569 was filed against SYNCHRONY FINANCIAL regarding Credit card (Store credit card), specifically about "Getting a credit card". A consumer filed a complaint against Synchrony Financial regarding a store credit card opened without their knowledge or consent. The complaint was received on February 28, 2026 from California. The company responded with "In progress".
What You Should Do -- Consumer Action Plan
Always monitor your credit reports and statements for any unauthorized accounts or activity.
Legal Context & Consumer Protection Laws
Federal laws like the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) and the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) protect consumers from unauthorized credit practices.
Regulatory Insight
Financial institutions must have robust identity verification processes to prevent account opening fraud.
Resolution Likelihood
likely
State-Specific Consumer Protections
California has strong consumer protection laws that may offer additional recourse for victims of identity theft and unauthorized credit.
Industry Comparison
This issue is common across various credit issuers, highlighting a persistent vulnerability in account opening procedures.
Related Issues
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CFPB complaint 19912569 about?
CFPB complaint 19912569 involves Credit card (Store credit card). The consumer reported an issue with "Getting a credit card", specifically "Card opened without my consent or knowledge". This complaint was filed against SYNCHRONY FINANCIAL on February 28, 2026.
Which company is complaint 19912569 filed against?
Complaint 19912569 was filed against SYNCHRONY FINANCIAL. You can view all complaints against this company on their profile page at /company/synchrony-financial.
What was the company's response to complaint 19912569?
SYNCHRONY FINANCIAL responded with "In progress". The response was marked as timely by the CFPB.
When was complaint 19912569 filed?
Complaint 19912569 was received by the CFPB on February 28, 2026. It was sent to SYNCHRONY FINANCIAL on March 2, 2026.
What state was complaint 19912569 filed from?
Complaint 19912569 was filed from California. You can view all complaints from this state at /state/CA.
Was the consumer satisfied with the resolution of complaint 19912569?
Dispute information is not available for complaint 19912569.
What product category is complaint 19912569 about?
Complaint 19912569 is categorized under "Credit card", specifically "Store credit card". This is one of the product categories tracked by the CFPB.
How was complaint 19912569 submitted?
Complaint 19912569 was submitted via Referral. The CFPB accepts complaints through web, phone, mail, email, fax, and referral channels.
What are the consumer's legal options for complaint 19912569?
Federal laws like the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) and the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA) protect consumers from unauthorized credit practices. This relates to a Credit card complaint against SYNCHRONY FINANCIAL involving "Getting a credit card".
How likely is complaint 19912569 to be resolved?
Resolution likelihood: likely. The company's current response is "In progress". The company did respond in a timely manner, which is a positive indicator.
What does the risk level mean for complaint 19912569?
This complaint is rated as high risk. Opening credit accounts without consumer consent can lead to significant financial harm and identity theft concerns, warranting a high-risk assessment.
What regulatory actions apply to complaint 19912569?
Financial institutions must have robust identity verification processes to prevent account opening fraud. The CFPB tracks complaints like this one to identify patterns of misconduct across the Credit card industry.
What should the consumer do about complaint 19912569?
Always monitor your credit reports and statements for any unauthorized accounts or activity.
Are there state-specific protections for complaint 19912569?
California has strong consumer protection laws that may offer additional recourse for victims of identity theft and unauthorized credit. This complaint was filed from California.
How does complaint 19912569 compare to industry norms?
This issue is common across various credit issuers, highlighting a persistent vulnerability in account opening procedures.
What steps should a consumer take if they discover a credit card was opened in their name without their consent?
Immediately contact the credit card issuer to report the fraud, dispute the unauthorized account, and request its closure. You should also file a police report and place a fraud alert on your credit reports with the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion).
What are the potential consequences for Synchrony Financial if this complaint is substantiated?
If substantiated, Synchrony Financial could face regulatory penalties, fines, and reputational damage. They may also be required to compensate the consumer for any damages incurred.
Disclaimer
This analysis is AI-generated and does not constitute legal advice.