Consumer complaint received 2023-08-20
Company: BANK OF AMERICA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
State: IL
Product: Credit card or prepaid card
Sub-product: General-purpose credit card or charge card
Issue: Getting a credit card
Sub-issue: Sent card you never applied for

Complaint:
XX/XX/2023 : I rec 'd several notifications from my various credit monitoring services that a new credit inquiry ( aka a " hard " credit check ) was conducted by BANK OF AMERICA on XX/XX/2023. I had not initiated, requested and/or authorized this credit check. 

XX/XX/2023 : I called into BANK OF AMERICA 's credit card fraud department to report this unauthorized credit check and attempt to obtain additional information regarding said inquiry. At that time, the representative that I spoke with confirmed that they had indeed rec 'd an application to open a new Travel Rewards credit card in my name, but that they would report it as fraud/not proceed with the application. I affirmed several times to BANK OF AMERICA that this request was NOT authorized and not requested by myself. BANK OF AMERICA additionally sent me a letter dated XX/XX/2023 confirming my request & that they would not proceed with opening. BANK OF AMERICA additionally confirmed they would work with the credit reporting agencies to remove the inquiry from my credit history/report. 

XX/XX/2023 : Again, I rec 'd several notifications from my various credit monitoring services that a new credit card had been opened in my name at BANK OF AMERICA on XX/XX/2023 ( the date I had called and reported it as unauthorized ). 

XX/XX/2023 : I again called into BANK OF AMERICA 's credit card fraud department to report the unauthorized activity and now unauthorized account opening. The representative that I spoke with was tremendously unhelpful and could not provide any explanation as to why the card/account had been opened, and even seemed to suggest that it was indeed an " authorized '' transaction from myself. At that time, the representative said he would again report the card/account as fraud, and would proceed with closing the account and removing it from my credit history/report. I was told a manager would be calling me back, but a callback was never rec 'd. I did indeed receive the physical card - a " Bank of America Travel Rewards '' credit card in the mail, delivered to my home address. 

I never requested and/or authorized this credit card/opening. I work for a very large broker-dealer/bank and have an extensive background in financial crimes and fraud prevention. I have every reason to believe that BANK OF AMERICA churned my identity, improperly checked/accessed my credit report/history without my consent/authorization, and used this information to fraudulently open a credit card in my name without my consent/authorization. This type of activity is something that the CFPB and OCC have already taken action and fined BANK OF AMERICA for ( see : XXXX XXXX XXXX ). I am completely confident I am a victim of their fraudulent credit card openings scheme.

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 non-monetary relief