Consumer complaint received 2023-10-09
Company: BARCLAYS BANK DELAWARE
State: CA
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

Complaint:
I went to a XXXX by Wyndham timeshare presentation on XX/XX/XXXX. I attended the presentation with my fiance XXXX XXXX. The presentation was held in XXXX XXXX, California at the XXXX at the XXXX on XXXX XXXX. Our presentation was at XXXX pm, however we arrived early ( approximately XXXX pm ). The desk/check in agent was named XXXX. He said he would have us meet XXXX, who was finishing up the last presentation. XXXX said that we would just meet with XXXX, and XXXX informed us we would not be attending the group presentation, since we were there so early and he did not want us to wait too long. 

XXXX sat down with us some time between XXXX minuets after XXXX. He asked us several questions about how we travel and what our travel goals were. He explained the benefits and perks of the timeshare program. XXXX of which was a Wyndham Rewards Credit Card. Both XXXX and I stated that we were not interested in a credit card each time it was mentioned. 

XXXX then offered XXXX several point rates. We said we were not interested in those packages and they were out of the range that we could spend. He asked us to fill out a credit check application to see what other options we would have. This was completed on XXXX ' XXXX. He offered us a version with lower points and an mentioned the ability to finance a down payment. 

Following that conversation, XXXX said that our credit came back very good and he would be able to get us completely financed. He said that I needed to verify our eligibility for a loan. ( he always said loan while talking about this part, never credit card ). He sent a link to my phone number ( he had entered it wrong the first time ) and a text arrived at XXXX pm. The text read : " Hello, XXXX Thank you for considering Citizens Pay to finance you XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX 
Please click the link below to check your eligibility for a XXXX XXXX XXXX of XXXX to finance your club XXXX XXXX XXXX 

*Website here* Thank you, XXXX XXXX " I clicked the link on my phone and filled out a form with similar information to the credit check. As I completed that form I got a verification code texted from XXXX XXXX and put that in the form. 

After completing the form a few moments went by while it verified eligibility. There was a note at the bottom of XXXX of the screens that said this check would not effect my credit history ( paraphrasing here as I can not recall the exact verbiage ). 
At no point did anyone mention that it would or could be be used for a credit card. 

The website stated that I was eligible. Then it showed a loan amount with a slider below it. Under the slider were numbers that showed interest rate ( 22 % ), monthly payment, total cost of loan, total cost in interest and other information provided when you sign up for a loan. There was a large continue button at the bottom. I did not press this button. I closed the website on my phone. 

XXXX and I decided that we did not want to pursue this option, mostly due to the interest rate and the total payments would have been around {$250.00} XXXX and we felt that was too high. 

XXXX had stepped away and when he returned we told him that we decided to decline. XXXX said not to worry, he would get the decline paperwork. He returned with at second person, whose name we can not recall. He had a dark beard and spikey dark hair he was approx. XXXX feet XXXX inches and slender. He brought another lower offer for around $ XXXX and very very rapidly talked about using a the XXXX credit card and the Vacation SideKick programs ( this was a discount program that was part of the perks of the timeshare ) to offset the costs of financing the XXXX program. He mentioned the credit card several times. Each time he brought it up, XXXX and I both said that we did not want a credit card. After he finished his very rapid pitch, I said that was far to complicated and we do not want anything to do with a credit card. He said ok and thanked us for his time and left. XXXX also thanked us for his time and said he was going to go. Another person was going to do an exit survey and then get us our vacation gift for attending the presentation. 

Another gentleman with reddish brown hair, who was about XXXX foot XXXX inches came to the table with a survey. We can not recall his name. He asked us a few questions. He then offered us a temporary membership that included XXXX points, Vacation SideKick that expired in XXXX years. This cost {$2000.00} and would lock in the rates for XXXX years. XXXX and I decided this was worth using this as a XXXX XXXX and traveling. We said yes and I paid with my credit card. 

He said that he was able to use the information in the system from when we input it into XXXX ' XXXX. He sent some documents to sign via XXXX, which arrived at my personal email at XXXX pm. They were sent by XXXX XXXX, who we did not meet. I read and completed the forms. I specifically made sure that I was not signing up for any loans, credit cards or anything with a recurring cost. The forms said that there was no interest rate and no further money required. I completed the forms at XXXX pm. I received an email from XXXX that they had been completed at XXXX pm. 

While I completed the forms, he got us the information for our gift vacation. We completed the conversation and he showed us to a window where XXXX was sitting at a desk. He asked us a few questions about the presentation and our plan. I am not sure what time we spoke with him, but I think that it was approximately XXXX pm. I think I got the email from XXXX at this time. 

At no point did I approve a credit card, was asked to apply for a credit card or was shown terms of service for a credit card. 

When XXXX and I got home a few hours later ( around XXXX pm ), I noticed that I had gotten an email at XXXX pm from XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX that said : " Hi XXXX, Welcome to your new XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX account. 
Your new card should arrive by mail in a plain white envelope in approximately 710 days. Along with your card, youll receive details about your new account and instructions for activating your card. 
With your card in hand, youll also be able to set up online access to manage your account at XXXX a convenient way to view your account activity, make payments and more. 
Look for more information from us about our services, plus additional tips to help you make the most of your new account. 
Thanks for choosing the XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX. 

This email is intended for : XXXX XXXX and sent to XXXX for account ending in XXXX You have received this email because you have been approved by XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX. 
Privacy Policy Please Do Not Reply to this Email This is a notification-only email that can not accept incoming replies. To send us an email, simply log in to XXXX and click contact us to send your message securely. 
XXXX XXXX and XXXX XXXX XXXX are a registered trademark used under license. 
The XXXX Rewards Earner Card is issued by Barclays Bank Delaware, pursuant to a license by XXXX XXXX XXXX Visa and Visa XXXX XXXX registered trademarks and used under license from XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX 
XXXX Barclays Bank Delaware, XXXX box XXXX, XXXX, DE XXXX, XXXX FDIC. '' None of the documents that I signed included information about this card or anything from XXXX. 

On XX/XX/XXXX at XXXX am I called XXXX customer service line. I used the last XXXX of my social security number to access account information ( I also do not have a card yet, so I do not have the complete account number ), but had an issue because my phone number did not match any account. I was eventually able to proceed to the menu where the system stated that I had a {$2000.00} limit and no balance due. 

I finally talked to a representative. I had to explain the situation 4 times to the representative who kept asking what company charged my card. The representative had an XXXX accent and said her name was XXXX. I stated that I wanted to close the account and have it removed from my credit history because I did not authorize the account and I did not want it. She finally stated that she would close the account and remove it from my credit history. She verified my information and said that Accounts XXXX XXXX contact me in the future. 

XXXX acted well here, but the issue is that XXXX Wyndham used my information and applied for a credit card without my knowledge, consent or permission.

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