My dentist office opened a “Care Credit” account for me without my authorization and pre-charged me $4500.
Location: New York, NY
Sorry in advance for the long story.
A few days ago, I went to a dentist for severe molar pain. The dentist prescribed antibiotics, said the tooth needed extraction, and since I’m pregnant, advised waiting until after my pregnancy to install a tooth implant.
Later, a “care coordinator” called pushing a $4,500 implant surgery and bone graft. I reminded her the dentist had just told me to wait until after pregnancy. She put me on hold, came back, and claimed he had changed his mind.
I told her I wanted to research implants during pregnancy before agreeing to anything, but she kept pressuring me to apply for “CareCredit”, a medical credit account. She asked for my SSN and said it was only a “pre-authorization” that would not affect my credit. She ran it, then said I was approved.
Today was supposed to be my extraction appointment, but when I called to confirm, they suddenly told me I needed OB/GYN medical clearance and a medical escort for sedation — things nobody mentioned before.
That made me look more closely at the CareCredit email they sent me. The office had completed an application for me, that I never signed, using false information, including the wrong driver’s license number and claiming I make $11,000/month. (I don’t.)
Then CareCredit told me the dentist had already charged $4,500 to the account for implants and surgery I never agreed to, never signed for, and never received.
I disputed the charge, canceled all future appointments and am looking for a new dentist.
This feels wildly unethical and possibly illegal. Correct?