is it common for credit card companies to call you to verify your social security number?
i just applied for my frist credit card at citigroup recently, & i just got a call from a private number. the woman on the phone told me that she was processing my application & she repeated which card I was applying for & everything. It sounded totally legit, so I didn’t think about it when she asked my to verify my ssn. is this common protocol for cc companies? i wouldn’t know, since this is my first card.
Nothing seemed fishy about it, but should I be concerned?
Thanks for your help!
I don’t have any credit yet, so I can’t watch what I don’t have yet…
I actually called citi & they were not only able to verify that they called, but also the date & time. I’m pretty sure the reason for calling was that it was my first card, I don’t have any other account with them, & I applied online. Thanks for all of you guys’ help!
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9 comments
justme on August 26, 2009 at 1:52 am
You should phone Citigroup directly, and ask if this is normal procedure. If not, ask them to put a stop on the card immediately, and issue you with a new card and pin number. You should also contact the police, and report the incident.
Medi88 on August 26, 2009 at 1:52 am
duh,,,, they ask me to verify my gender.
adl_tx on August 26, 2009 at 1:52 am
Yes, it is.
It is probably a scam trying to get it so they can
bilk you and then ruin your credit rating.
If you have a credit card, call the customer service number
on the back about this.
I also suggest you contact your local bank to
see what they can do.
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Deme on August 26, 2009 at 1:52 am
Honey, they usually only ask to verify your LAST 4 DIGITS of your ssn, I’d get a credit report watch issued ASAP.
David B on August 26, 2009 at 1:52 am
No, it is not normal. You should never give out your personal information to an incoming call. If anything, you should have asked for her extension, and then called the credit card’s customer service number and connect to that person.
I’ve never been called regarding a credit card application. I will either receive the card in the mail, or I will receive a letter stating that I have been declined.
How did you apply? Did you apply on a form that was provided by someone at your college, or did you answer a junk mail and send it directly to the company? If a 3rd party was handling the application, they might be using social engineering to steal information from you.
You might not have a credit card, but maybe you’ve used credit before. For example, you might have co-signed a car loan, or you might have student loans. It won’t hurt to try, and you can add a consumer statement to your credit report that states something along the lines of "Do not extend credit until I am contacted at (555) 555-5555". That way, if it was fishy, they won’t be able to get a credit card in your name.
Hot Couture on August 26, 2009 at 1:52 am
I’ve never had a credit card company call to verify my social. If they do when I call.. they only ask for the last 4 numbers.
I don’t have hole in the wall credit cards either. I have 2 American Experss (one thru Citi, which didn’t call me for my ssn), about 10 mastercards thru chase and citi,and other reputable banks and like 5 visas thru bank of america and others. None called to verify my ssn.
Laissez-Faire Guy on August 26, 2009 at 1:52 am
I think you are OK. The fact that they knew what card you applied for indicates .
Since she was asking to verify the number, did she tell you what the number was for you to verify? Or was it the other way around.
the d on August 26, 2009 at 1:52 am
the WHOLE number, not the last four.
if i were you, no, don’t do that. soembody may have gotten ahold of your application and stolen it from the mail.
kayaker on August 26, 2009 at 1:52 am
No. Banks may call you to verify that the information you provided is accurate for fraud reasons. However, it is not common for them to ask for your SSN over the phone. Moreover, it is highly unlikely that you would receive a call from a private number. All of that stuff is handled out of their call centers.
Good luck,