Beware if you received an unsolicited Chime card

So I received a Chime card in the mail and wonder why. Is this some sort of promo where they send the card and hope you activate it? After reading over the info, It looks like a “legit” account that someone else must have opened in my name. Needless to say, I did not share the same enthusiasm that others have posted here upon receiving the card.

I called. protip: use the option that claims you’re having trouble activating your card to get to a live rep. It’s clear they don’t want anyone talking to a live person. They claim there is no number that can connect you to customer service.

I made my first call the day after Thanksgiving. After verifying my identity, the first rep said that they closed the account. I asked for them to send me something confirming that. They said they couldn’t... hmmm. Next rep: email us your picture ID and the last 4 of your SSN and we can close your account. Wait, what??? Last rep said it was closed. “They shouldn’t have said that”. You have to send your request to the support email. Um... guys you know that email is not secure transport for Personally Identifying Information (PII), right? That’s what they say they need. After working through that one, with no help from them, they have my license image and the last 4 of my SSN, they cancel the account.

“Now please send me a notification confirming it was closed in the mail.” We can’t do that unless you send us an image of your photo ID and the last 4 of your SSN. Please tell me, that as a thinking individual, you can see the flaw in your request and recant. Nope. Doubled down. I asked for a supervisor. Next person on the line... “you asked for a supervisor? No matter, I can help you.” Right, I know about the old dump and run technique guys.

So, after a painful two weeks dealing with a company that shows no signs of taking Identity theft seriously, I have the promise that a document will arrive in the mail showing that the unauthorized account has been closed. Yep, I’ve put the freezes on for both banking and credit.

TLDR: Chime does not seem to care about being helpful for Identity theft victims and has demonstrated some serious issues with customer service.