Consumer complaint received 2017-09-23
Company: SYNCHRONY FINANCIAL
State: NY
Product: Credit card or prepaid card
Sub-product: Store credit card
Issue: Advertising and marketing, including promotional offers
Sub-issue: Confusing or misleading advertising about the credit card

Complaint:
In XXXX of XXXX I received a new credit card in the mail from JCPenney where I have had a credit card account since XXXX. I DID NOT REQUEST THE NEW CARD. Periodically through the years, they have sent me a new card with new rewards etc. and told me to activate it to replace my old card. So that 's what I thought this was. 

I do n't remember if the letter about the new card came separately or with the new card because I saved them together. The top of the letter had these large print words, " CONGRATULATIONS! You are being upgraded to a new JCPenney XXXX. '' It said no action was needed on my part and the new card " replaces your JCPenney Credit Card. '' So I assumed this was just a new card for my same account. I had no balance on my account and had not used the card in several months so I just stuck it in my wallet, figuring I would activate it from my cell phone the next time I decided to use it. 

On XXXX XXXX, XXXX, I shopped at a local JCPenney 's and while I was at the register, I remembered I needed to activate my card. The cashier let me call to activate it so I could finish checking out. In the process, they asked for my annual income to increase my credit limit but I told them I was in line at the store and did not want to give that information and also that I did not need to increase my credit limit because I hardly ever use the card. They said I could just keep the same credit limit. I said that is fine with me and assumed that meant they were not doing any kind of credit check. I then completed my purchase with the new card. 

Then, on XXXX XXXX, XXXX, I was notified by email that a credit alert had hit my credit report because I opened a new credit card account. I was completely shocked because I had no idea that is what I was doing when I called to activate my JCPenney card. So I dug out the letter that came with the card and that 's when I saw the fine print on the back FAQ section that stated if I accepted the upgrade, my old credit card would be closed and transferred to this new account, which would be added to my credit report. 

I guess it 's my fault for not noticing that statement which was in much smaller print on the back of the letter. But I believe this was a very deceptive and misleading marketing practice. All of a sudden, after 16 years of getting upgraded cards which never required any kind of credit check for me to activate, JCPenney sends me a new card that was COMPLETELY UNSOLICITED! In the fine print it said, if you want to keep your current JCPenney credit card, then call this number ... 

This is completely backwards! If they want to advertise new cards and accounts it should require action on the consumer 's part, not " NO ACTION ''! 

It 's too late now because the account is already open. I just want this to be addressed so it does n't happen to somebody else! It 's not good for your credit report to keep opening accounts and this was so unnecessary and unwanted!!! 

SHAME ON YOU JCPENNEY!

Company public response: Company has responded to the consumer and the CFPB and chooses not to provide a public response
Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation