Consumer complaint received 2025-02-02 00:00:00
Product: Credit card — General-purpose credit card or charge card
Issue: Getting a credit card — Card opened without my consent or knowledge
Company: SYNCHRONY FINANCIAL
State: VA

Complaint narrative:
They DID NOT provide disclosures prior to requesting acceptance of the terms that would have allegedly then been displayed on the keypad. Video proof can be provided by the institution. Unless they provide that, they have no proof and therefor simply lying. 

I also called shortly after this incident and the rep on the phone ( a recorded line ) said they WOULD REVERSE the credit check, so again they lied. And have record of themselves doing so. 

I was offered a 10 % off code if, I quote you sign up for our rewards program. After signing up, they reluctantly told me it was a credit card as if they knew to lie to scam me into signing up. I didnt agree to a credit card application, I agreed to a rewards program After asking several times for clarification as to whether or not there was a hard credit check, they straight up lied and said no. The process of signing up on the screen didnt mention anything about a credit card either. Ive filed an official complaint to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau as they lied on camera about what it was I was signing up for. Im also filing a complaint with VA Attorney General and all three credit bureaus where my credit score was impacted because these ignorant employees would rather lie than tell the truth. 

In my prior complaint they claim " disclosures and a request for acceptance of the terms would have then been displayed on the keypad. These disclosures, including for the credit inquiry, were accepted to complete the application process. Therefore, your request for the inquiry to be removed has been respectfully declined '' They must provide proof of this, which they can't because the terms were not shown. 

Based on the situation I've described, the store appears to have violated several laws and regulations in Virginia. Here are the relevant laws and violations : 1. Virginia Consumer Data Protection Act ( CDPA ) : The store violated the CDPA by not providing clear and conspicuous disclosure of the terms and conditions of their " rewards program, '' which was actually a credit card application [ 4 ] [ 7 ]. The CDPA requires businesses to provide transparent information about data collection and processing practices.

2. Truth in Lending Act ( TILA ) : The store violated TILA by issuing a credit card without your explicit request or application [ 2 ] [ 8 ]. TILA prohibits banks and retailers from issuing credit cards unless it is in response to a written or oral request or application from the consumer.

3. Virginia Consumer Protection Act : The store likely violated this act by engaging in deceptive practices, including misrepresenting the nature of the "
rewards program '' and lying about the absence of a hard credit check [ 5 ].

4. Fraudulent Procurement of Credit Card ( Section 8-203 of Maryland Criminal Law ) : While this is Maryland law , Virginia likely has a similar statute. The store 's actions could be considered fraudulent procurement of a credit card by making false statements to procure the issuance of a credit card [ 5 ].

5. Fair Credit Reporting Act ( FCRA ) : By performing a hard credit check without your explicit consent, the store likely violated FCRA, which requires clear disclosure and consumer consent for credit checks. 

6. Virginia Code 59.1-200 ( Prohibited practices ) : This law prohibits using any deception, fraud, false pretense, false promise, or misrepresentation in connection with a consumer transaction [ 7 ].

These violations stem from the store 's failure to disclose the true nature of the " rewards program, '' lying about the credit check, and not providing the terms and conditions for review before signup. Your actions in filing complaints with the CFPB, VA Attorney General, and credit bureaus are appropriate steps to address these violations.

Citations : [ 1 ] https : XXXX? XXXX & XXXX [ XXXX ] XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX [ XXXX ] XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX

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