Barclays removed all my money !!

carla99

Hello! I am in desperate need for some help!
4 days ago, I ordered 8.000 to withdraw from my Barclays Savings account. Next day, I was supposed to go to the bank to get my funds out. A lady from the branch gave me a call that day and told me that I am unable to withdraw my money because the head office didn't authorize the transaction. I checked my balance online and I saw that it was 0. 8000 were taken out of my account, written next to it Manchester Premier Reconcile. I called the bank immediately but all I could do was to make a complaint. This is the third day, but I have no updates. I called them so many times, but with no answers, all they could say was to wait.
Today I called them again and they said they will look at my case just on Monday! I am desperate and don't know what else I can do! I can't talk directly to the people who took it, just to somebody from the Head Office, who give no information!
This money I deposited myself three weeks ago, at my local branch. I can't wait until Monday and do nothing about it, I need some suggestions, who should I complain to? Obvious not the bank, because they don't do anything about it!
Thanks!

Badger_Lady

Do you know who took the money or why? Is it a debt repayment from another department of Barclays, or is it fraudulent?

If it is fraud, you need to label it as such and get some answers! If it is a debt, it might be complicated...

DuckEggGingham

I have read about cases like this before on this forum. I may have it totally wrong but a rough version is that sometimes when a big deposit is made, it triggers Barclays "laundering/fraud" sensors and the money is removed whilst checks are made but you should get it back fine, well as long as you're not laundering

I could be completely wrong though, its just something I have read on here in the past that is popping into my mind when reading your post.

Hope you get it sorted.

Chunks

Seems a google of the narrative posted to your account throws up a few 'hits':

http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?300646-Barclay-withdrawn-all-my-funds-for-no-investigation

If this is a security device of some sort OK but someone at the bank should explain and pronto since this is a material sum; you should have to stew for days.

Chunks

Chunks wrote: »

Seems a google of the narrative posted to your account throws up a few 'hits':

http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?300646-Barclay-withdrawn-all-my-funds-for-no-investigation

If this is a security device of some sort OK but someone at the bank should explain and pronto since this is a material sum; you should have to stew for days.

Sorry - can never edit :mad:

"... should not have to stew...."

carla99

Badger_Lady wrote: »

Do you know who took the money or why? Is it a debt repayment from another department of Barclays, or is it fraudulent?

If it is fraud, you need to label it as such and get some answers! If it is a debt, it might be complicated...

It is not a debt repayment, I don't own a Barclaycard. I really don't know what is going on because they won't say anything! They just can't take money out of customers accounts without reasons and keep you with no answers! The bank doesn't help, I wonder what else I can do, who should I talk to about this?

Rafter

Sounds like a money laundering check by the bank. They are obliged by law to review large withdrawal requests to make sure you aren't trying to hide the proceeds of crime.

Also by law they are not allowed to tip you off that that is the reason - hence why you aren't getting very clear reasons from Barclays - they simply aren't allowed to tell you until they have done their checks.

I am sure it will be fine - just be patient.

R.

tagq2

Rafter wrote: »

Also by law they are not allowed to tip you off that that is the reason

Who was the idi...forward-thinking civil servant who decided that an intentioned fraudster being told, "Oh we can't tell you why we're stopping that so just wait there a bit!" wouldn't be heard as, "We're on to you!"

More fraud would be stopped if banks told people, "We're stopping this because we suspect fraud": a strong hint would be provided to those unintentionally participating in laundry.

chexum

carla99 wrote: »

It is not a debt repayment, I don't own a Barclaycard. I really don't know what is going on because they won't say anything! They just can't take money out of customers accounts without reasons and keep you with no answers! The bank doesn't help, I wonder what else I can do, who should I talk to about this?

If this is indeed AML investigation, there's nothing you (or the bank!) could do before the procedure is finished - but you can keep a record of what's happening if you find anything worthy to complain about - the delay purely isn't. Some time ago this time could be well hidden as part of cheque processing delays, but faster payments made us expect much quicker transfer times.

See also:
abbey national have put my accounts on hold, 2 weeks and I cant get any help.
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3476127

bengal-stripe

carla99 wrote: »

This money I deposited myself three weeks ago, at my local branch.

Where did the money come from in the first place? Did you deposit it as cash/cheque? It obviously wasn't a transfer (with an audit trail), as it was "deposited......at (the) local branch". Now, after only three weeks, you want that same money back and in cash.

I'm afraid, that will ring money-laundering or proceeds-of-crime alarm bells. The bank is obliged by law to check out the transactions are legitimate.

Gromitt

How did you deposit the money? I remember selling a car for cash and I had to sit down with a member of the bank and tell them how I received the money and provide proof of where it came from before they would allow me to deposit it. Once I finally deposited it I was told that I couldn't withdraw against the funds until it was 'signed off' which would take a few days.

Sometimes its easier to just pay by cheque!