Friday, July 26, 2013

Fido says Charge It


Have you ever received a credit card offer for your pet?  According to this article on PetMD, it’s not that crazy.  What is crazy is that they are often offered larger credit limits than you would get.




This story mentions a couple who wrote their cat’s name on a warranty card for their entertainment center.  Max, the cat, stated getting all kinds of offers for credit, magazines, sweepstakes and other things.  Another woman completed a credit application in her dogs name because the company wouldn’t stop sending her deceased father offers.  Now her pet gets them. People have even gotten credit card offers for their under aged children.

 


Why do pets and children get credit card offers?  Because companies sell their mailing lists to credit card companies.  Many, many years ago I worked for a company in Illinois that pulled information for companies that requested certain demographics.  When you fill out your information on a drawing, warranty, or credit application, your information goes into a database that is sold to direct marketing companies that will sell other companies your information. 
 
 

Most of the time pets receive these offers because their owner didn’t want to put their information down, so they put their pets information down.  MSN Money recommends “If you’ve ever received a crazy credit card offer for a child or pet, think twice before you just throw it away. It’s a good idea to call the credit card company to ask where they received their information, and inform them that there’s been a mistake. Children must be 13 before they can legally be added onto your credit account (and 18 to acquire a card of their own) and as much as you wish your pets could buy their own kibble, they can’t be cardholders either.”



Have you ever received a crazy credit offer for your pet?  If so, what was it?

Be Well & Be Happy,
Pet~Pourri

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