Credit Karma, I'm being Scammed?

Credit Karma, I just received a notification on my phone saying “congratulations on your new car,…” but I didn’t buy a new car.

Is that just an automated notification or what?

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One of the largest scams that still goes on is undoubtedly credit karma.

It’s wise to be cautious regarding the notification from Credit Karma congratulating you on a new car. Here are two potential reasons for this notification:

Automated Notification: Credit Karma may have sent an automated notification based on activity in your credit report that could be misinterpreted as a new car purchase. Here are possible causes:

Credit Inquiries: A dealership might have conducted a credit check, even if you didn’t purchase a car. This can occur during pre-approval for financing or test driving a vehicle with financing options discussed.
New Loan: It’s possible a loan (not necessarily for a car) appeared on your credit report, leading Credit Karma’s system to generate the notification.
Potential Identity Theft: While less likely, such notifications could indicate attempts at identity theft, where someone may be trying to open accounts in your name.

Here’s what you should do:

Check Your Credit Report: Log in to Credit Karma to review your credit report for any unfamiliar inquiries or accounts.
Dispute Errors: If you find any unfamiliar items, use Credit Karma’s dispute process to address them promptly.
Contact Credit Karma: If the notification persists or if you have concerns, contact Credit Karma’s customer support for clarification.
For further assistance, you can explore these resources:

Credit Karma’s Help Center on Disputing Errors
Federal Trade Commission on Identity Theft