Will not activating a Canadian Tire credit card affect my credit?

Question

I was at Canadian Tire a couple weeks ago and was approached about a rewards card being offered by Canadian Tire. What I was not told was that it was a Master Card Credit card. The girl pitched it to me like it was a rewards card like Air Miles. She totally misrepresented what she was offering. So imagine my shock and horror when I recieved a credit card in the mail today. " I DID NOT WANT A CREDIT CARD". I am in the process with rebuilding my credit and now I have 2 cards instead of one. So will not activating this new credit card I recieved today affect my existing credit? I think if I cancel the card it will affect my credit but what happens if I don't activate/leave it dormant. Will it have the same affect as cancelling it? Thanks in advance for your help.

Update:

Thanks for the responses everyone, I'm usually on the ball but I just did not have my wits about me that day and I paid for it. But everything happens for a reason I suppose. I will certainly be super protective of my info in the future and continue to rebuild my credit.

Have a great day.

anywhoo · Accepted Answer

It already has affected your credit report through the inquiry, the new account being reported and the lowering of your average age of accounts. Whether you activate it and use it or not it will be on your reports. Since you're in the process of rebuilding then you might as well let it help you rebuild by using it every couple of months for a small amount and pay in full when you get the statement.

lavalle · Answer

Canadian Tire Credit Card

? · Answer

A non activated credit card will not affect you credit report because it isn't anything to do with you. RE: Will a non activated credit card affect my credit report? I applied for a credit card and was approved, I've now decided that I no longer want the card, if I don't activate it, will it still appear on my credit report?

Calvin C · Answer

if you are rebuilding credit a new card will help so be happy, keep it.  Also just think in the future anyone that askd for your SSN or TIN is offering credit common sense goes a long way no reward card ever asks for proof of ID, income or SSN

Anonymous · Answer

If there is no activity it will not effect your credit. If you wish to cancel , just call them and say you want  it  canceled and you want a confirmation in writing.

Will not activating a Canadian Tire credit card affect my credit?

5 Answers