Consumer complaint received 2020-03-06
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:
On Saturday, XX/XX/2020 I went to XXXX  located at XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX in XXXX, NY. I was there with my children to shop for a birthday gift. I was on the line waiting to check out and their store manager by name of XXXX was soliciting their TJX rewards mastercard to every customer on the line. She stated that XXXX was having a special promotion during the month of XXXX where if you opened up there TJX rewards credit card no soft or hard credit inquiry would be made and everyone would automatically get approved for a credit line of {$1500.00}. She also stated that it was the last day to do open it and it had to be done in store only in order to get that special promotion. She approached me as I was waiting my turn to pay and told me about the promotion that she had been telling to every other customer prior to me. I explained to her that I was in the process of purchasing a house and that I could not do anything that would affect my credit score at the moment. She insisted that no soft or hard inquiry would be ran due to their special promotion. I explained to her that by any means could I open a new credit card because that would cause a drop in my credit score. She continously told me that this was an absolute special promotion that XXXX was having and that they do not run your credit at all. After several attempts to persuade me into opening up the TJX rewards Mastercard I finally agreed to do so. She walked me to the register and informed the sales associate that I would be opening up the mastercard to take advantage of the last day for there special promotion. For the last time I asked her once again and she laughed it off and stated that she had been offering the promotion for the entire month of XXXX and no one has gotten their credit ran. During the application process I was asked for my drivers driver 's license and social security number. I stated to them why would my social be needed if my credit was not being ran and I was told by XXXX that they only wanted to confirm my identity. As soon as they submitted the application I received a notification from an application that I have on my phone to monitor my credit that a new hard inquire was on my XXXX  credit report and that it was made by SYNCB/TJX CO DUAL CARD. I was furious when that happened after I was told numerous times by store manager, XXXX that no soft or hard inquiry would be made. I demanded to speak with her since she was no longer in sight. They sent out another manager who refused to give me her name that spoke to me in a very rude and condescending manner when I tried to explain to her what had just transpired. I told her to get the store manager by the name of XXXX that was soliciting the credit card and after several minutes and me telling everyone on line how I was just scammed and lied to she finally came out. She grabbed my hand and told me to come with her so that I could keep quite and pulled me to the womens shoe department. She stated that she was very sorry and that is what was told to her by XXXX cooperate office. I informed her that XXXX  just ruined my chances at getting a house because I was not supposed to have any credit inquiries or late payments on my credit so that my score would remain the same until I was able to go into contract. She stated that she would try to help rectify what was done and that she would contact TJX Rewards customer service to explain to them that my credit was not supposed to be ran due their special promotion being held by XXXX. I informed her that I have already been in the store long enough with my young children and that I also had a birthday party to attend. Store manager, XXXX wrote down her full name, hours that she worked, her title and personal cellphone number for me to call her so that she could give me an update on the call that she was on with customer service. When I got home I immediately texed her to find out what the outcome was regarding her phone call with TJX Rewards credit cards customer service and to also further express my frustration. She replied that she called XXXX and spoke to a manager by the name of XXXX. and that XXXX said to call the same number and ask for any manager. She also stated that she was told by XXXX that if the customer was not present they can not put the dispute in. And that when I call to tell them that I did not authorize my credit to be checked and that they will put a dispute in and remove the inquiry. She also recommended that I contact XXXX  and dispute that inquiry as well. And told me to call her if I needed her help in any other way. I feel that I was scammed, misled and lied to into opening up the TJX credit card and in return I was affected negatively by it in a major way. The dishonesty of the XXXX store manager caused my credit to be negatively affected in a major way. I am a single mother of XXXX that has been working hard to secure a home for my children by repairing my credit. I am distraught and mind blow that a big organization such as XXXX would use such disgrasful tactics full of dishonesty in order to get their consumers to open up their TJX rewards card. I asked XXXX to please inform XXXX cooperate office of what had transpired and to this day I have yet to receive a call or an email as to how they would help rectify what had happed. Since I have received no form of feedback from XXXX  cooperate office I have no choice but to seek further actions against them for their unethical and deceitful approach at soliciting their credit card.

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