[Posting this on multiple sites to assist as many folks as possible).

Let's all agree on two things: 1) Asking for someone's full SSN is not a great way to start off customer service. 2) You should file for identity theft protection whether this letter is real or not. In both scenarios, your ID has been compromised in some way- the fact that you got this letter with your name and address is proof of that. I got this letter today and made my call to 866-927-7875 which was included in the letter.

When an automated machine asked me to record my full SSN, my doubts started. I got through to the representative that was going to help me flag this failed application attempt as fraud. His name was Ian (Representative #KHR911) and was able to cancel this application without my full SSN. I hang up and call the Fraud Protection hotline 800-427-9428 that is listed on the Capital One website. I am connected with a woman named Jordine (missed her Rep # due to accent). She looked up 866-927-7875 and confirmed that it is an INTERNAL department within Capital One. I then hung up and called general Customer Service hotline 800-955-7070 that is listed on the official website as well. I am connected with John who did not give a Rep #. He looked up 866-927-7875 and said it was not a Capital One number. I told him that Jordine from Fraud Protection was able to verify it. He put me on hold since his list of department numbers is limited to his duties only. After about three minutes, he was able to confirm that 866-927-7875 is an internal department that deals with applications for new credit cards.

Let me stress this again. Whether or not the letter was real, you need to get your ID protected. Some people here are arguing irrelevant points. I believe the letter is real. This means that I need to get my ID protected now. If you believe the letter is fake, you still need to get your ID protected. No matter where you side your judgement, the remaining steps are the same. GET YOURSELF PROTECTED NOW. As a result of the Target hacking, you can go through them to get your free ID theft protection.

Got a letter in the mail from "Capital One' stating someone created an account in my name but the address was different.  The letter instructs you to call this number if you DID NOT apply for a credit card b/c it is most likely identity theft.  I called the number and the first bit of information they want from me is my SS#, address, and etc.  As I'm speaking with the representative I Google the number and this forum came up.  I called the actual Capital One customer service line and they said this number is not associated with their company.  Damn, these people!

I a letter from this company saying it was Capital one and someone opened a credit card in my name...I filed a report with FDC

I got the same letter.  I called and gave them the last four digits of my social, my address, and phone number.  I stopped short of giving them my birth date.  Then I saw these posts and contacted Capital One directly using their customer service number on their website. They looked up my social security number and found there were no accounts or applications pending under my SSN.  I have filed a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and emailed the fraud department at Capital Onel.  Just thought I would share my experience. Seems like they are just gathering personal information.... maybe to sell?

THIS IS A SCAM.  If you were unlucky enough to fall for it like me, IMMEDIATELY do one of the following:

1. Place a fraud alert on your credit reports (FREE):

A fraud alert adds a notice to your report that there may have been fraud and allows you to give a phone number that any potential creditor is supposed to call before they issue credit. The initial alert will last 90 days, but can be extended. You only have to contact one agency -- they are required to notify the other two.

Experian
https://www.experian.com/consumer/cac/FCRegis ... e=INITIAL_ALERT

Transunion
http://www.transunion.com/corporate/personal/ ... fraudAlert.page

Equifax
https://www.alerts.equifax.com/AutoFraud_Online/jsp/fraudAlert.jsp

2. Freeze your credit reports ($10 per agency in most areas):

A credit freeze locks your credit report so no potential creditor can access it. A credit freeze will last indefinitely. You must individually contact all three agencies.

Experian
https://www.experian.com/consumer/cac/InvalidateSession.do?code=FREEZE

Transunion
https://annualcreditreport.transunion.com/fa/securityFreeze/landing

Equifax
https://www.freeze.equifax.com/Freeze/jsp/SFF_PersonalIDInfo.jsp

3. Monitor your credit:

Two options -- (i) use annualcreditreport.com to pull your free reports (you can pull one free report per year from each agency), or (ii) sign up for a monitoring service (these allow you to pull your report multiple times per month but can be very expensive -- $10 to $40 a month).

i called them and from the beginning they wanted my SS#.  i did give them the last 4 digits, birth date, and home phone #.  i immediately put a fraud alert and am hoping these low life scums burn in a prison somewhere.  do not call 866.927.7875.