I Don't Want Barclays Pre-Approved Offers

LoidPhil

As a self-confessed gambling addict who is desparately trying to go 'clean', I have today visited my local branch of Barclays to plead with them to stop giving me pre-approved offers that I can acquire via the simple click of a button when logged into my online account. I was told by the Personal Banker with whom I spoke that they can't stop the allocation of pre-approved offers to my account :mad:

These pre-approved offers are an easy means of getting a loan or increasing my overdraft without having to speak to someone. I estimate that over time I have blown well over £10k by upping my overdraft and then taking a loan to pay it off, and then upping it again when I get another pre-approved offer (followed by another loan) and so on.....

Don't get me wrong, I'm not apportioning blame to Barclays for my financial misdemeanours. At the end of the day I'm the one clicking the button and nobody is holding a gun to my head making me do that. However, surely as a 'responsible lender' Barclays have an obligation to understand my situation and that I don't want to make it simple for myself to get hold of cash. If I want to increase my overdraft I want to speak to someone about it - and, therefore, I'm less likely to do it because of the embarrasment factor.

I've always had a decent relationship with Barclays, and perhaps the easiest thing would be to move my current account to another bank, but I really don't want to do this unless it's absolutely necessary. Should I write to the FSA to complain about Barclays stance on this?

moneysavingallday

Switch to another bank or stop using online banking and use phone banking instead. It might even be useful to explore counselling or a support group for your gambling issues.

lynxptc

On my Barclays pre-approved offers screen there is a message at the bottom saying if the offers made do not reflect your circumstances then please phone the number displayed.