Consumer complaint received 2026-01-18 00:00:00
Product: Credit card — Store credit card
Issue: Advertising and marketing, including promotional offers — Confusing or misleading advertising about the credit card
Company: Bread Financial Holdings, Inc.
State: NJ

Complaint narrative:
Location : Jared Jewelers XXXX XXXX, Virginia. XX/XX/year> approx XXXX. 

Subject : Misleading Credit Application and Lack of Informed Consent I am submitting a formal complaint regarding a Jared Preferred credit account opened in my name without my informed consent. 

On XX/XX/year>, my girlfriend and I visited a Jared store in XXXX XXXX, VA solely to browse engagement rings. We were greeted by the first associate ( name unknown ) and initially looked at rings together with her. Around XXXX XXXX we began browsing and discussing options. When the application process began, I started working on it with the first associate. I asked her if this was going to cost anything, thinking this was a rewards program or account to save my ring, and she explicitly said no. She asked to see my drivers license, my email, and to input my Social Security number thinking this was just part of the account for the store. 

The first associate handed me a pamphlet showing the credit card, wrote down my account number, and verbally stated that I had been approved for a {$10000.00} line of credit. At that time, I had no understanding that this was a credit card application, as I believed it was an account for convenience or rewards related to future purchases. 

Around XXXX XXXX while still in the store with the second associate, XXXX XXXX, General Manager, I received alerts from XXXX and XXXX notifying me of a new credit inquiry. I immediately told XXXX that I did not realize this was a credit card. She acknowledged that mistakes can happen and recommended I simply not use the card and allow it to close through inactivity, as attempting to close it immediately could negatively affect my credit. Despite this guidance, the account was completed. We left the store at approximately XXXXXXXX XXXX 

At no point during this process was it clearly explained that this was a credit card, that a hard inquiry would be performed, or that I was opening a new line of credit. I only realized afterward that a hard inquiry had been made and an account had been opened in my name. Had I understood that this was a credit card application, I would not have consented. 

While I entered information during the process, the issue is not the mechanics of the application but the way it was presented and explained. The sequence of events first associate handling the account, pamphlet handed, {$10000.00} line of credit verbally approved, credit alerts received while still in-store, and advice from the second associate demonstrates that I never had informed understanding of what I was agreeing to. 

The account has not been used and I have no intention of ever using it. 

I am requesting the following : XXXX. That this complaint be formally documented. 
XXXX. That the account be closed due to lack of informed consent. 
XXXX. That any associated credit inquiries or reporting be removed as a goodwill adjustment if possible. 
XXXX. That this situation be reviewed internally to prevent similar misleading practices in the future. 

Thank you for your attention to this matter. 

Sincerely, XXXX XXXX

Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief