Consumer complaint received 2023-06-16
Company: DISCOVER BANK
State: FL
Product: Credit card or prepaid card
Sub-product: General-purpose credit card or charge card
Issue: Getting a credit card
Sub-issue: Card opened as result of identity theft or fraud

Complaint:
I am writing to address a concerning matter regarding a fraudulent account that was reopened in my name without my consent. I have been a victim of identity theft, resulting in multiple credit cards being opened in my name without my knowledge. 

Upon discovering the unauthorized credit card accounts, I immediately contacted all respective banks to report the fraud and initiate the necessary steps to close the accounts. I promptly notified all three major credit bureaus and the FTC of the situation and initiated the dispute process to ensure the removal of these fraudulent accounts from my credit reports. Through diligent efforts, I succeeded in having all the accounts removed, restoring the accuracy of my credit history. 

However, to my dismay, I received a letter from Discover Bank claiming that no fraud was found and, as a result, the account in question was reinstated in my name and added back to my credit reports. This decision has left me astonished and deeply concerned, as the circumstances surrounding the reopening of this account clearly indicate fraudulent activity. I have taken prompt actions to report and resolve this issue, but I am now faced with the distressing circumstance of Discover Bank reinstating and reappearing on my credit reports despite clear evidence suggesting fraudulent activity. 

Throughout the account closure procedure, I lacked any specifics regarding the account, as a result, I collaborated fully with Discover bank 's representatives, furnishing my genuine personal information, including my accurate address, phone number, and email. I was also required to provide my social security number to your bank 's representative in order to locate and address the fraudulent account. 

Subsequently, Discover bank 's representatives informed me that the information I provided differed from that what was used during the initial application process. This single fact serves as conclusive evidence that the account was opened without my knowledge or consent, and that the individual responsible for these actions was not me. After reporting the account as fraudulent, I received an accompanying letter from Discover bank, revealing the associated transactions took place in California. 

I would like to emphasize that I live in XXXX and have been employed by a reputable hotel company for over two years. My employment verification can confirm that I was working diligently during the period when the fraudulent account was opened, and transactions were made. While I XXXX have had days off, most of my time is spent at work, typically five days a week, 40 hours a week. It is physically impossible for me to have traveled the distance from XXXX XXXX to California and back within the time frame of the transactions. As such, it is evident that I could not have been the individual responsible for opening the account or making any transactions associated with it. 

During my subsequent communication with Discover bank, I made it abundantly clear that I was unaware of the existence of this account and the fraudulent activities associated with it. Then I was further informed that Discover banks representatives had attempted to contact me on my legitimate personal phone number, which they perhaps obtained from one of my credit reports, in order to confirm the authenticity of the account. However, due to the numerous spam calls I receive on a regular basis, I mistakenly assumed that it was another fraudulent call and declined to engage further. This refusal to provide confirmation can not be construed as an acknowledgment of the account 's validity, as I never explicitly confirmed or accepted the account as mine.

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief