(800) 480-0186

I, too, received a letter from Synchrony Bank with the 800-480-0186 number to call to verify identity for an AMAZON STORECARD credit product. I had NOT applied for this card but was reluctant to call the number in the letter because of the feedback here and other sites.

Instead I called the fraud department of Synchrony Bank (866-834-3205) and inquired there. The letter was legitimate as it had a valid reference code that was linked to a pending application for said card. I informed them that this was a fraudulent application and they voided the application and will send out notices to the 3 credit bureaus for fraudulent activity.

The agent, however, could not confirm that the letter 800 number is authentic as they do not have access to all the numbers that Synchrony Bank uses. But since the letter was legitimate, I assume that the phone number in the letter was as well.

However, calling the fraud department instead seems a safer way in case you have not actually applied for the listed card in the letter. When you call the fraud number it will give you options to verify your identity if you indeed did apply for the card that the letter was about so no need to call that 800-480-0186 directly (as I could not find that number anywhere on the Synchrony Bank Contact Us website

If you get a letter stating to call 800-4800186 because they want to verify the information because you applied for credit with Wallmart/Synchrony Bank, etc., please take it seriously. This is a legitimate letter. Someone applied on line or at the store for the credit card with your name, address, and SocSec#, they have it! Usually they apply to get immediate credit approval and charge up the card untill you figure it out. If you got a letter, that means they did not get instant approval for some reason and now Walmart/Bank is asking for additional info. If you are in doubt, search Walmart Credit card number and call them (it is 1866 6111148, or 877 294-7880). When I called they told me I applied for a card, verified all info (last 4 digits of social), etc. They closed the file and submitted fraud report to Trans Union. What you need to do is put a fraud alert on with TransUnion (transunion.com) on your credit and they forward this to all 3 companies. This is only for 3months. If you want longer, you need to file a police report and they will do it for 7 years. The creditor will have to call you before issuing a credit so you will know if someone is still applying for credit under your name. YOu can also obtain credit reports from 3 bureaus using www.annualcreditreport.com and look at the bottom who did hard inquiries. I found Wallmart inquiry on mine and one more on the same day. Make sure to take it seriously, someone has your info. Also, you can put Freeze on your account, your account will be totally not visible from any creditors.