Consumer complaint received 2026-06-09 00:00:00
Product: Credit card — General-purpose credit card or charge card
Issue: Other features, terms, or problems — Other problem
Company: Chime Financial Inc
State: PA

Complaint narrative:
The financial technology company Chime allowed an unknown individual or individuals to open a banking account, obtain a banking card, and establish a direct deposit account using my name, home address, and email address without my authorization. On XX/XX/year>, at approximately XXXX XXXX, I received an email from [ XXXX ] ( XXXX : XXXX ) stating that there had been a new login to a Chime account from a XXXX XXXX device, with an approximate location in XXXX, Pennsylvania. I had never created a Chime account and was unaware of any account associated with my identity. At approximately the same time, I received a second email from the same address stating, " Your completed direct deposit form is attached. '' The attached XXXX contained a direct deposit authorization form bearing my name and home address, along with what appeared to be a forged signature. The form included a Chime routing number and account number and indicated that " Deposit my entire paycheck '' had been selected. I did not complete, sign, authorize, or submit this form. At approximately XXXX XXXX on XX/XX/year>, I received a welcome email from [ XXXX ] ( mailto : XXXX ), further indicating that an account had been opened in my name. Later that evening, at approximately XXXX XXXX, I received another email from [ XXXX ] ( mailto : XXXX ) stating, " Your virtual card is ready for you. '' On XX/XX/year>, at approximately XXXX XXXX, I received an email from [ XXXX ] ( XXXX : XXXX ) stating that a secured Chime XXXX Credit Card Account and Chime XXXX XXXX XXXX Account had been placed on hold because Chime was unable to verify my identity. The email stated : " We were unable to verify your identity using the information provided. This can happen for a number of reasons, even though you are already a Chime member. '' XXXX minutes later, at approximately XXXX XXXX, I received another email stating that account access had been restricted because Chime was unable to verify the account holder 's identity. The email advised that the account could not be accessed until the identity verification issue was resolved. Despite these apparent verification failures, I continued to receive communications indicating that the account remained active. On XX/XX/year>, at approximately XXXX XXXX, I received an email stating that my Chime card statement was ready. On XX/XX/year>, at approximately XXXX XXXX, I received an email stating that Chime had attempted to deliver a secured Chime XXXX Credit Card to the address associated with the account but that the card had been returned as undeliverable. On XX/XX/year>, at approximately XXXX XXXX, I received another email instructing me to activate my Chime card. On XX/XX/year>, at approximately XXXX XXXX, I received a further email entitled " Urgent : Reminder to Activate Your Card. '' I never opened a Chime account, never applied for any Chime banking product, never requested a debit card, credit card, virtual card, direct deposit account, or any other financial service from Chime. I did not authorize any person to use my name, address, email address, or other personal information to establish an account on my behalf. I am not a Chime customer and was unfamiliar with the company before receiving these communications. The emails and attached documents demonstrate that an unknown individual used my personal identifying information to create a financial account and attempt to establish direct deposit capabilities. The attached direct deposit form contains a signature that is not mine and appears to be a forgery. I am deeply concerned that my personal information was used to commit identity theft and potential financial fraud. Furthermore, Chime 's own communications indicate that it was unable to verify the identity of the individual who opened the account. Despite these verification failures, Chime nevertheless appears to have issued account credentials, generated account and routing numbers, created a virtual card, issued a physical card, and continued to maintain the account long enough to generate account statements and card activation notices. As a result of these events, I have experienced significant distress and concern regarding the security of my personal information, the possibility of fraudulent financial activity being conducted in my name, and the potential impact on my financial reputation and creditworthiness.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation