# 17-year-old son gets credit card offer. Should I be concerned? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 8, 2012, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/17-year-old-son-gets-credit-card-offer-should-i-be-concerned/637032 "2012-10-08T00:06:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![freckafree](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/freckafree/32/3050_2.png) [@freckafree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/freckafree)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2012, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/17-year-old-son-gets-credit-card-offer-should-i-be-concerned/637032/1 "2012-10-08T00:06:26Z")
The credit card offer was from the Virginia Society of Certified Public Accountants, and the language of the letter was of the “as a member of VSCPA, you are entitled…” variety. (We don’t live in Virginia, FWIW.) I thought it was funny, but then I wondered if I should be concerned about his name and address having gotten on their lists. Presumably, anyone with an SSN can be a victim of identity fraud. Should I pursue it? ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2012, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/17-year-old-son-gets-credit-card-offer-should-i-be-concerned/637032/2 "2012-10-08T00:13:22Z")
> [@freckafree](#): > > The credit card offer was from the Virginia Society of Certified Public Accountants, and the language of the letter was of the “as a member of VSCPA, you are entitled…” variety. (We don’t live in Virginia, FWIW.) > > I thought it was funny, but then I wondered if I should be concerned about his name and address having gotten on their lists. Presumably, anyone with an SSN can be a victim of identity fraud. > > Should I pursue it? Applications are sent out en mass by CC companies because he bought something, or joined an assoc that tells them he might be good bet. It could be anything. Assumedly he would not make the cut once he reveals his age, job status and income, unless he’s making big bucks for a 17 year old. ---
**Author:** ![freckafree](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/freckafree/32/3050_2.png) [@freckafree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/freckafree)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2012, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/17-year-old-son-gets-credit-card-offer-should-i-be-concerned/637032/3 "2012-10-08T01:24:08Z")
Unless they are targeting heavy consumers of video games, I am at loss to figure out that that would have been! ---
**Author:** ![Taomist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/53a042/32.png) [@Taomist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Taomist)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2012, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/17-year-old-son-gets-credit-card-offer-should-i-be-concerned/637032/4 "2012-10-08T01:49:35Z")
> [@freckafree](#): > > Unless they are targeting heavy consumers of video games, I am at loss to figure out that that would have been! Bingo! As a gamer, I can promise that gaming companies share their info just like any other company. I wouldn’t worry about it, but I would take this time to remind your son, if he needs reminding, not to take every offer that comes by. ---
**Author:** ![Alley\_Dweller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alley_dweller/32/430_2.png) [@Alley\_Dweller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alley_Dweller)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2012, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/17-year-old-son-gets-credit-card-offer-should-i-be-concerned/637032/5 "2012-10-08T01:54:54Z")
Just for laughs, google your son’s name and see if you can find a CPA in Virginia with the same name. ---
**Author:** ![Infovore](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/infovore/32/420_2.png) [@Infovore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Infovore)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2012, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/17-year-old-son-gets-credit-card-offer-should-i-be-concerned/637032/6 "2012-10-08T01:56:35Z")
I just got one the other day that said, “As a member of the \ State Bar…” (I don’t remember which state, but it definitely wasn’t mine). I just chucked it in the shred bin after the spouse and I made fun of it a bit. :). ---
**Author:** ![Ruby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/13edae/32.png) [@Ruby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruby)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2012, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/17-year-old-son-gets-credit-card-offer-should-i-be-concerned/637032/7 "2012-10-08T02:53:03Z")
My son got the same kind of offers at 17. Could be from anywhere. We didn’t allow him to apply (obviously) but I’d like to think that he really wasn’t “pre-approved” since he had no income. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2012, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/17-year-old-son-gets-credit-card-offer-should-i-be-concerned/637032/8 "2012-10-08T02:56:57Z")
You owe it to yourself and your son to watch the film [Maxed Out](http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/maxed-out/) with him. There is a fascinating but scary segment that details how credit card companies prey on young adults, sometimes with heartbreaking outcomes. mmm ---
**Author:** ![Icarus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/icarus/32/72_2.png) [@Icarus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Icarus)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2012, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/17-year-old-son-gets-credit-card-offer-should-i-be-concerned/637032/9 "2012-10-08T03:36:59Z")
It’s just junk mail. He’s on some list that gets sold and cross referenced by a computer algorithm to some other lists and bingo - junk mail! ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2012, 5:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/17-year-old-son-gets-credit-card-offer-should-i-be-concerned/637032/10 "2012-10-08T05:22:17Z")
Read the deal terms of the card just out of curiosity. I would imagine a card being marketed to accountants would have to have a pretty attractive low interest rate to be competitive given that demographic. If it does not then some scam flags might be appropriate. What is the APR for balances on the card? ---
**Author:** ![freckafree](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/freckafree/32/3050_2.png) [@freckafree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/freckafree)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2012, 10:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/17-year-old-son-gets-credit-card-offer-should-i-be-concerned/637032/11 "2012-10-08T10:04:05Z")
> [@astro](#): > > Read the deal terms of the card just out of curiosity. I would imagine a card being marketed to accountants would have to have a pretty attractive low interest rate to be competitive given that demographic. If it does not then some scam flags might be appropriate. > > What is the APR for balances on the card? “Term of the VSCPA Visa Rewards card: Purchase APR: 0% intro rate until August 2013; 11.9%, 15.9%, 19.9% or 21.9% variable thereafter.” ---
**Author:** ![chappachula](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/d2c977/32.png) [@chappachula](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chappachula)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2012, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/17-year-old-son-gets-credit-card-offer-should-i-be-concerned/637032/12 "2012-10-08T17:54:16Z")
> [@freckafree](#): > > "Term of the VSCPA Visa Rewards card: Purchase APR: 0% intro rate until August 2013.. ZERO PERCENT!!! WOW!!! I mean, WOW!!! Sign up today…!!! What could possibly go wrong? 🙂 And yes, you should be care enough to be concerned\*------this is a great chance to sit down with your kid, and explain to him what interest is, etc…When he rolls his eyes, show him that the envelope was addressed to him, personally.Maybe then he’ll see that it’s relevant to his life. Pick a concrete example of something expensive that he wants to buy right now(laptop?, etc), and show him what it would cost with 21.9% interest. \*I don’t mean caring about the dumb card…I mean being a good, caring parent who makes use of a good educational moment. ---
**Author:** ![MeanOldLady](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanoldlady/32/10737_2.png) [@MeanOldLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanOldLady)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2012, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/17-year-old-son-gets-credit-card-offer-should-i-be-concerned/637032/13 "2012-10-08T17:56:19Z")
I’d calm down. Credit card companies are scum and send out offers to anybody with a name. ---
**Author:** ![Icarus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/icarus/32/72_2.png) [@Icarus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Icarus)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2012, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/17-year-old-son-gets-credit-card-offer-should-i-be-concerned/637032/14 "2012-10-08T18:39:31Z")
> [@MeanOldLady](#): > > I’d calm down. Credit card companies are scum and send out offers to anybody with a name. And once they start coming - you’ll get at least one a week until the sun dies out. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Devil\_s\_Grandmother](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/74df32/32.png) [@The\_Devil\_s\_Grandmother](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Devil_s_Grandmother)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2012, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/17-year-old-son-gets-credit-card-offer-should-i-be-concerned/637032/15 "2012-10-08T21:04:58Z")
> [@astro](#): > > Applications are sent out en mass by CC companies because he bought something, or joined an assoc that tells them he might be good bet. It could be anything. Assumedly he would not make the cut once he reveals his age, job status and income, unless he’s making big bucks for a 17 year old. I would not be too sure of that. I got a credit card when I was 18 years old, in collge, zero income, from an application I half-filled out to get a free gift. Some companies appear to give out cards freely. ---
**Author:** ![Carol\_the\_Impaler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Carol\_the\_Impaler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carol_the_Impaler)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2012, 9:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/17-year-old-son-gets-credit-card-offer-should-i-be-concerned/637032/16 "2012-10-08T21:18:09Z")
I used to work for a bank that issued credit cards. One day, a call came in from a good ole boy about an offer we’d sent to “Chester”. He was pretty bemused that we would pre-approve Chester because Chester was his horse. ---
**Author:** ![alphaboi867](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alphaboi867/32/3898_2.png) [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2012, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/17-year-old-son-gets-credit-card-offer-should-i-be-concerned/637032/17 "2012-10-08T21:41:04Z")
> [@The\_Devil\_s\_Grandmother](#): > > I would not be too sure of that. I got a credit card when I was 18 years old, in collge, zero income, from an application I half-filled out to get a free gift. Some companies appear to give out cards freely. The CARD Act changed alot of things. 18-20 yr olds cannot get credit cards anymore without without either having a cosigner or written proof of idenpendent ability to pay. Under 18s would definalty require a cosigner. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Devil\_s\_Grandmother](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/74df32/32.png) [@The\_Devil\_s\_Grandmother](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Devil_s_Grandmother)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2012, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/17-year-old-son-gets-credit-card-offer-should-i-be-concerned/637032/18 "2012-10-08T22:33:11Z")
I’m glad to hear that, **alphaboi867** , thanks for the education. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2012, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/17-year-old-son-gets-credit-card-offer-should-i-be-concerned/637032/19 "2012-10-08T22:38:46Z")
Can a 17-yer-old enter into a legal contract? Seems to me he could max out the card and walk away from it with no legal consequences. Screw the banks. ---
**Author:** ![alphaboi867](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alphaboi867/32/3898_2.png) [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2012, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/17-year-old-son-gets-credit-card-offer-should-i-be-concerned/637032/20 "2012-10-08T23:03:19Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > Can a 17-yer-old enter into a legal contract? Seems to me he could max out the card and walk away from it with no legal consequences. Screw the banks. In theory he could if he was emancipated (due to marriage, military service, or court order), but in practice I highly doubt any bank would actually give him a credit card. He’d be able to open bank accounts without much difficulty proved he had the appropriate documention. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/17-year-old-son-gets-credit-card-offer-should-i-be-concerned/637032.md?page=2)