Consumer complaint received 2015-08-11
Company: PNC Bank N.A.
State: PA
Product: Credit card
Issue: Unsolicited issuance of credit card

Complaint:
On XXXX XXXX, 2015, I went to the PNC branch in XXXX XXXX to make a deposit into my checking account. The teller asked me if I had a PNC credit card, and I told her I did not have one and did not want one. The teller said " we are going to get you a credit card '' and I repeatedly told her I did not want a credit card. She refused to give me my receipt unless I agreed to talk to another person. To get my receipt, I agreed to get information on the card, and intended to leave without talking with the person. 

As I walked past the offices on my way out of the building, XXXX XXXX stepped out of her office, blocked my way, and said she would talk to me about the credit card. She pulled me into her office and I told her I would accept information but did not want a credit card. She asked for my driver 's license to verify my identity to access my bank accounts. I reluctantly showed her my license after she assured me it was just to check my accounts to determine which credit card offers would apply. She said that she did not have any printed information to give me, but would have the bank mail information on Tuesday, since this was the holiday weekend. She gave me her business card and I left. Nothing that occurred during our discussion indicated she was submitting a credit card application, she provided no disclosures or information about the card, and I did not authorize accessing my credit card information or a credit card application. 

On Tuesday I received a phone message from XXXX advising that she had submitted a credit card application for me and it had been approved. I called and talked with XXXX, and she claimed that because I gave her my driver 's license she was allowed to apply for a credit card for me. I reminded her that I had told her I did not want the card and she agreed to not issue the card. 

On Friday I received a notice from my credit monitoring service that PNC had pulled a credit report. I stopped by the bank that evening and spoke with XXXX XXXX, an assistant branch manager. She apologized for the error, said that she would remove the credit check from my credit report and would stop the credit card account from being opened. She advised that someone from the retail escalation group might contact me. 

I received a call and spoke with XXXX XXXX from the retail escalation team on XXXX XXXX. I explained the situation to him, and he said they would stop the credit card account from being opened and would remove the credit inquiry from my credit report. 

On XXXX XXXX I received a phone message from XXXX XXXX stating they decided not to correct the error. I left him a phone message asking for clarification, and a few days later they opened the unauthorized credit card. 

On XXXX XXXX I received a phone message from XXXX XXXX from XXXX Client Relations stating she was calling to discuss my concerns. I left her multiple phone messages but did not receive any further telephone calls. I did receive a letter dated XXXX XXXX from XXXX XXXX stating she had tried to contact me on XXXX XXXX, but my phone records show no calls from her on that date or any other date other than the original XXXX XXXX call, and when I left her a phone message on XXXX XXXX her voice mail said she was out of the office until XXXX XXXX. When I called on XXXX XXXX, her voice mail said she was out of the office until XXXX XXXX. 

I am very concerned than PNC engaged in identity theft, accessed my credit without my authorization, and opened a credit card account I did not solicit, authorize, or approve. Even after they acknowledged the error, they proceeded to open the account. They committed to fix the error, then failed to correct the error. These seem to be very serious violations of the Fair Credit Reporting Act, Fair Credit Billing Act, and other federal regulations.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation