I applied for a credit card with one of those hand written applications on a plane flight. 

I never heard anything from the carrier or the credit card servicer. I figured that for some reason the application was denied. After several months I found that my credit score had dropped. I obtained a report. Apparently the credit card company ( Barclays of DE ) had opened a credit card and account in my name without my knowledge. When I contacted Barclays on XXXX the agent verified that the address and email address on my account were both wrong. Apparently XXXX gives Barclays these hand written applications and the people transcribing them to digital application often transcribe incorrect information. He also mentioned that the company had tried to contact me by mail only and all letters were returned. In spite of this Barclays still opened a credit card account in my name, knowing they would be unable to contact me about this account. Three months earlier the company had charged an annual fee to the card. The account was now closed by the company but a past due balance was still remaining that had since had a negative impact on my credit score. My score dropped XXXX points in a month and now I am having difficulty applying for housing in the new city I moved to. What 's more I feel like opening these kinds of accounts knowing that they are unable to contact the account holder is a major financial security risk. If someone had gotten ahold of this card I would have no way of knowing obviously but additionally Barclays would have no way of contacting me about the fraud. 

When I contacted Barclays, all they could offer was a mailing address where I could send a paper letter. Apparently the account and situation would then be reviewed and it could take up to 30 days for the company to make a decision on whether they would contact the credit bureau. These are unfair, unsafe and predatory practices by a XXXX company on and American citizen. 
