I went to The Home Depot yesterday. I wanted to buy an infrared light bulb, and when I put the light bulb into my shopping cart, an employee named Norma (Credit Card Captain) came up to me. She told me that if I bought this light bulb, I would get a free gift. I followed her to the register, showed her my ID, and gave her my social security number. Just to make sure, I asked her if the light bulb was the only criterion for getting this gift, and she answered yes. She clicked on the credit card swipe pad a few times and then gave me a piece of paper, saying the light bulb I was holding was the gift.
The piece of paper is titled "Consumer Credit Account Temporary Charge Pass." That was when I realized I had just applied for a credit card when she never mentioned anything about it.
An hour later, I went back to that same Home Depot and talked with the manager, Marvin. He asked if there might have been a miscommunication, and I answered, "No, I work at a bank, I know the importance of the credit report." He told me there was nothing he could do and gave me the number to Customer Care, 1 (800)-553-3199, and the number to Home Depot's credit card department, 1 (800)-677-0232.
I first called the Home Depot credit card department and told them the story. They said the credit card could be canceled. However, I do not simply want to cancel the credit card, I want to cancel the application, because having the credit card would already decrease my credit score. They told me the credit card was already done and gave me the number to Equifax, 1-800-685-1111. I called this number, but I could not reach a real person, only a robot recording.
I do not believe that Home Depot's workers would trick me into applying for a credit card. I shop at Home Depot quite often, and surely they have gained my trust. However, this is unacceptable, and there should be consequences.
I wish to cancel my credit card application. I care so much because I am planning to buy a house, and if my credit score decreases by applying for a credit card, my mortgage would be impacted.
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