Barclays Dither on Current Account Application

Paul_Varjak

In November last year I applied (online) for a Barclays Current Account. I had to answer some questions about my credit history in order to verify my ID. Unfortunately, I did not answer their questions to their satisfaction so they requested that I take my ID into the branch. I did so a week before Xmas, as soon as I received their request.

I heard nothing from them so I rang the branch, visited the branch and called the branch manager on his mobile phone. Promises were made to call me back and, after some weeks, the manager did call me back. He said there was a glitch in the computer system which meant the account had not been opened but he assured me that I was now a customer (with a customer ID) and the account would be opened. He promised to call me back that day or the following Monday, but did not do so.

I had been waiting 8 weeks to get this account opened (following closure of the local Halifax Agency) so I was desperate for an account. I rang the manager again and left a message on his voicemail saying I did not want the account as I could wait no longer. I also phoned the customer service number, repeating this. I asked that the credit search be deleted as they were given permission to do the search in order to open or decline an account. Their computer 'glitch' meant I was in in 'limbo'.

Today, I get a letter saying my application had been refused following a review by someone else, despite me telling them that I no longer wanted an account! Worst of all, they had done another credit search without my permission! I believe both searches are visible to other lenders searching my credit file.

Can I get one (or both) of these searches deleted?

izools

Raise a notice of dispute with Experian against the search explaining your situation.

They should then be removed within 30 days, if not raise a complaint with the ICO.

I've had to do the same thing for a similar situation.

No doubt given your experience you're glad that the account never got opened! That's just the tip of the iceberg with Barclays.

IMHO HSBC, First Direct (part of HSBC) and Lloyds TSB are good banks to consider

Paul_Varjak

As far as I can determine, it is not possible for Experian to remove the search without Barclay's say so, though I could send them a 200 word notice of correction. Good point about the ICO.

ajharris

izools wrote: »

Raise a notice of dispute with Experian against the search explaining your situation.

They should then be removed within 30 days, if not raise a complaint with the ICO.

I've had to do the same thing for a similar situation.

No doubt given your experience you're glad that the account never got opened! That's just the tip of the iceberg with Barclays.

IMHO HSBC, First Direct (part of HSBC) and Lloyds TSB are good banks to consider

Wise words, I have never dealt with LTSB but I do not think you can go wrong with HSBC or First Direct. :T

never-in-doubt

Paul_Varjak wrote: »

As far as I can determine, it is not possible for Experian to remove the search without Barclay's say so, though I could send them a 200 word notice of correction. Good point about the ICO.

Unfortunately the ICO will not get involved as they have no recourse, your complaint is unfounded. Basically, you applied for an account - if within 3 months you do not return any documents or the cancellation notice (which you never got, I appreciate that) then they will close that application and you would need to reapply.

However, lets say that you do what you done and go into branch etc with your ID, so long as you are within the 3 months then they have every right to continue to process your data. Therefore the second search was incorrect but the first will remain - that is the norm.

You would be better writing a letter of complaint to the branch and ask them to remove the second, non authorised search - end of. That's it, you can do nothing else i'm afraid.