Although it is fairly rare, it is not unheard of for a person to receive a credit card in the mail that he or she did not request. If this happens to you, it is important for you to take certain steps in order to protect your identity and your financial stability.
Obviously, if the credit card company received an application in your name, something is amiss. Therefore, the next step you must take is to get a copy of your credit report from each of the three major credit bureaus. Remember, you have the right to receive a free credit report every year anyway, and you can do this by visiting www.annualcreditreport.com. Even if you have to pay for the reports, however, it is well-worth it to make sure your identity is not in jeopardy.
In addition to the usual inspections, such as making sure your address and Social Security number are correct, make sure your credit report does not contain any credit inquiries that were not made by you. If you find that inquiries were made into your credit report, notify the credit bureau right away and notify your local Consumer Protection Unit as a potential victim of identity theft. Remember, the sooner you put an end to it, the easier it will be to unravel the mess that an identity thief can make.
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