re: Receiving new credit cards without applying

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in the U.S., it is illegal for credit card companies to mail you an unsolicited, pre-activated credit card that you never applied for.

Here’s the breakdown:

Federal Law (Truth in Lending Act, 1970s amendments):
Credit card issuers cannot send out active credit cards unless you requested one or agreed to receive it. This was put in place because, before the law, banks sometimes mailed out working cards to people who had not asked for them, which created fraud and debt issues.

What they can send:
They are allowed to send you offers or “pre-approved” applications for credit cards, but these are just solicitations — not actual live accounts. You’d still need to formally accept and activate the card.

Exceptions:

A company may send you a replacement or renewal card for an existing account you already have, or a card for a different account type if you’ve agreed to upgrades/changes.

If you ever receive an actual working credit card you did not request, it’s a red flag and may even suggest fraud or identity theft.

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