If you and your spouse opened an account before that time, you should ask the creditor to use both names. You also can write to this address for a free copy of Best Sellers, which lists all the FTC's consumer information publications. Complain to the creditor. Make it known that you are aware of the law. The creditor may reverse the decision or detect an error.
Many states have their own equal credit opportunity laws.
Check with your state's Attorney General's office to see if the creditor violated state laws. Your state may decide to take the creditor to court. Bring a case in Federal district court. If you win, you can recover your damages and be awarded a penalty. You can also recover reasonable attorney's fees and court costs.