Consumer Alerts Suspicious Credit Card Offers DC consumers should be on the alert for suspicious credit card offers. DC consumers with past credit problems have received phone calls, and invitations in the mail to apply for a "guaranteed" credit card. Be suspicious if the offer comes with a requirement to pay advance fees. Some consumers who have received these offers have received nothing in return for their payment. Others have received credit card applications that they could have obtained on their own, for free. These advance fees are not the same as legitimate application fees. Con artists will ask for advance fees before you even get an application Con artists will ask for advance fees without telling you who is issuing the credit card (usually a bank) Con artists will ask that you pay the application fees to them, rather than to the issuer of the card (usually a bank) Con artists will ask for large advance fees ($200-$300.) Application fees are usually much less. Protect yourself! Don't give out your Social Security number or bank account number on the phone unless you know the company and know why it needs the information. A con artist with your bank account number can get money from your bank, even if you don't authorize it.