Fraud Squad
I had previously said I was very happy with Barclays, however there was one incident that has come back to me...

(wavy lines)

It was a Friday evening, the hubby and I had had a long day at work, and decided to go out for dinner. I go to pay the bill afterwards, and my card is declined. Odd, as (for once) I had a fair amount of money in my bank account.

Still, as I do not trust banks that much, I always carry a credit card with me, and I pay no problem.

At home, I check online - all seems well. As I need to buy some car tax, I try to pay for it online to test my card, no it is blocked.

I ring up Barclays and speak to a bloke he had quite a heavy South African accent and the line wasn't too good, but he informed me that my card had been stopped. Naturally I ask why, and here is where the conversation gets a little unintelligible, but there seems to be not only a problem with my card, but my mobile phone too.

As he goes through details with me, I sudddenly click he is on about signing up my mobile phone for prtoection (I have an additions account that you get free stuff with). As this has taken up about 10 minutes of my time, I get a bit short. I asked to skip this and get on with the matter in hand, and for another 5 minutes, he tries to sign me up. In the end I believe my words were:
"I don't give a damn about mobile protection, my phone is here and it is working. I am more concerned about my card which I cannot use and need to make purchases with."

He says he has to transfer me over and I start talking to a lady and it transpires that they have been tipped off by Surrey Police that they have recovered some card-cloning equipment and my card number was on a list of cards to be cloned.

Okay, I think, well that's not bad. But it continues...

She explains that they have been informed a few days ago (I hadn't used my card for the last week), so I reply that it's no problem I must have missed the calls/letters.

"Oh no, we don't call or send a letter out to you."

What the fuck? Seriously, on asking further, they cancel cards at the merest sign of fraud, but don't bother to tell you. Well thanks a bunch, so when can I expect a new card? Five days - oh wait that's five *working* days, so a week's time.

Wonderful. I have no branch in my town, so I can't just 'pop down and withdraw cash' as the lady suggests.

Barclays, your accounts are good. Your fraud people are crap. Fine, cancel the card, but at least bloody tell me you cretins.

And breathe. Thanks goodness for credit cards.
( VandenPlas can't think of anything clever - no change there!, Tue 21 Jul 2009, 14:28, Reply)