Consumer complaint received 2024-10-06 00:00:00
Product: Credit card — General-purpose credit card or charge card
Issue: Advertising and marketing, including promotional offers — Confusing or misleading advertising about the credit card
Company: CAPITAL ONE FINANCIAL CORPORATION
State: AZ

Complaint narrative:
I have been a Kohl 's credit card holder since 2006. 

Last month, in the mail, I received what I thought to be a promotional/advertisement offer for me to open a XXXXapital One credit card with the Kohl 's logo on the card. I cut up the enclosed credit card thinking it was a marketing tool, and threw the paperwork away.

This month I received another Capital One credit card mailing. I opened it and it was a bill for {$3.00}.

I DID NOT open a Capital One credit card, I did not apply for a Capital One card, I DO NOT WANT a Capital One or any other credit card! Kohl 's opened the credit card in my name!

Now, my Kohl 's card is inaccessible on the Kohl 's website and in the store. In order for me to pay this bill, I must do one of a few things ; link the Capital One card to my bank, call the XXXX number to activate the Capital One credit card, give my social security number to a Kohl 's employee to pay my bill with cash, create an online account with Capital One that by doing so will activate the new credit card.

My huge issue here is I DID NOT apply for this card, however according to the Kohl 's website FAQ page, Kohl 's DID access my credit report and they state by doing so may affect my credit report!!!!!!!!!!!

According to the Kohl 's website, in order to manage my account... to pay my bill of {$3.00}, it says " Even if you previously managed your Kohl 's Card online, you'll need to enroll with Capital One ''.

I DON'T WANT A CAPITAL ONE CREDIT CARD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Kohl 's website also states that my previous autopay settings " should have already transferred automatically ''.

Does this mean they accessed my bank accounts without my permission?

My question is, isn't it illegal for a Corporation to open a credit card in my name without my permission???????

According to www.nolo.com on the internet, " An " unsolicited '' credit card is a credit card opened in a consumer 's name without that person 's permission. Under Regulation Z, which implements the Truth in Lending Act, it's illegal for a credit card company, store or other entity to send you a credit card you didn't request. ( 12 C.F.R. 226.12 ) The article goes on to say ; " Some companies try to get around the law by sending " replacement '' credit cards for accounts that are no longer active. Sending these types of cards, if unsolicited, still violates the law ''.

While the second part may not apply to me as my Kohl 's card was active, it still seems to apply because a card was created in my name without my permission. 

Now, I am concerned that my credit will be affected again if I am able to cancel this card that I did not request in the first place. 
I'm not sure what the financial benefit is to Kohl 's and this Capital One venture, but I don't want them to succeed by using me and my credit to get their advantage. 

Thank you for listening, I look forward to hearing from you, XXXX XXXX

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation