Watch out For Live Credit Card Mailers
Published October 25th, 2007 in Credit Help and Tips.
Recently, it’s come to my attention that credit card issuers are sending out live credit cards to consumers, whether they ask for them or not.
There have been several reported cases of consumers receiving unsolicited credit cards in the mail, from store credit cards to typical big-bank credit cards.
A few weeks ago, a Massachusetts newspaper reported that Citi was sending credit cards to inactive cardmembers after the banking giant bought out Macy’s credit card division.
Instead of asking consumers if they needed or wanted a new card, the credit card issuer decided to send out 3.5 million replacement cards to these inactive users in the form of a new Citi MasterCard credit card.
This is just one case of this type of thing happening, as I’ve personally received “replacement” credit cards from time to time if I don’t actively use my credit card.
For some reason credit card issuers tend to believe that if you’re not using your credit card, it must be missing or lost.
It’s actually a bit of a disservice, and a big risk to send cardmembers another live credit card if the customer has made no request for a new one.
Aside from the confusion of receiving an additional credit card if you still have your old card, the idea that someone can intercept that credit card is troubling, especially if you’re not expecting it in the mail.
It’s one thing to know a credit card is coming, but if you had no idea a credit card was sent to you, you’ll have no idea it’s gone missing.
Also keep an eye out for convenience checks, as credit card issuers typically send those on a weekly to monthly basis.
Yet another reason to shred each and every piece of mail you receive from any and all credit card issuers, regardless of what it contains.
With the amount of identity theft happening these days, it’s a wonder these credit card issuers aren’t practicing more restraint.
