Rhonda Stewart, WalletHub Loans Analyst
@rhonda
No, you cannot open a credit card in someone else's name without their knowledge or consent as it is against the law. Attempting to do this will be considered identity theft. So, you should either open a credit card in your name or get someone to add you as an authorized user on their account.
On the other hand, if someone else opened an account in your name, there are several steps you could take. You can also find tips on how to protect yourself against identity theft, as well as a list of the relevant authorities you should inform, in our Identity Theft guide.
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People also ask
How do I find out if someone opened a credit card in my name?
You can find out if someone opened a credit card in your name by getting a copy of your credit report from all three major credit bureaus: Experian, Equifax and TransUnion. You’ll be able to see all of the credit cards opened in your name on those reports. It’s important to check all three reports for fraudulent accounts, as each report might contain different information. Not all creditors report to all three bureaus, nor do they...
read full answer by WalletHub, Financial CompanyCan I use someone else's credit card?
You technically aren’t allowed to use a credit card that isn’t your own under any circumstances, but in reality, you shouldn’t run into any problems if you’re using a friend’s or family member’s credit card with their permission. That’s especially true if you’re the same gender. You can’t use someone else’s credit card without permission, however, as that’s fraud, which is a crime and it is punishable by law.
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read full answer by John S Kiernan, Managing EditorIs credit card fraud a felony?
No, credit card fraud is not always a felony, but it’s always illegal. Whether it’s a felony or a misdemeanor really depends on the state you’re in and how much money was stolen as a result of the fraud. Misdemeanors usually result in smaller fines and shorter jail sentences, while felonies charge larger penalties and can lead to incarceration in state or federal prison.
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