Barclays Say NO!

Archi_Bald

peteuk wrote: »

So now I am running out of banks -
HSBC - left due to poor customer service and debt paid off slowly
First Direct - HSBC in another name debt paid off
LTSB - left debt -slowly paid off still have one loan outstanding
NatWest - Obtained £1k out of them for poor customer service, left as no improvement. Credit Card debt being paid off slowly.
Halifax - refused bank account prior to opening Barclays.

Choose your next one very carefully - as you say, you are running out of banks. Your bad experience may have something to do with outstanding / defaulted debts.

Have you checked your credit files recently, what do they say? You shouldn't expect to be successful with applications for current accounts if your credit files show many defaults.

You might be able to tide yourself over for a while with prepaid cards, such as CashPlus, but it sounds as if you need to get out of your multiple debts before you can expect to be accepted for a current account anywhere else.

peteuk

ceredigion wrote: »

You wouldn`t be admitting to opening somebody else's mail, would you . Particularly something from a bank that's probably marked private and confidential. That would be one very good reason why Barclays have chosen not to do business with you . Like any other business they are fully entitled to make that call.

It is a miss conception that opening another persons mail is against the law. The CAB state:
"Opening someone else’s mail is allowed in certain circumstances under the Postal Services Act 2000. It is only an offence if you open someone else’s mail ‘without reasonable excuse’ or if you ‘intend to act to another’s detriment'. For example, if you are receiving bank statements/cards in someone else’s name then you should act on that immediately. You should tell the sender, either by returning it marked “not known at this address” or by opening the mail and calling any number provided within. The “reasonable excuse” for opening such items would then be that you were helping to prevent fraud against the companies involved."

So when Ive sent back mail with no longer at this address and nothing is done, I open it and then act appropriately i.e. contact customer service and inform them direct. Item is then either returned to them or shredded.

Yes I know the debt doesn't help and we are sorting that. I was hoping Barclays would be the last change. Nat west was changed purely on customer service. Who knows.....

fivesquare

peteuk wrote: »

Any suggestions of a decent bank, with high standards of customer service?

Here's a suggestion for you.
http://www.postoffice.co.uk/money-card

or more options here:
http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/banking/basic-bank-accounts

peteuk wrote: »

Yes I live in [STRIKE]the real[/STRIKE] my world and no I don't think I have high expectations. .

book12

I guess you can appeal the decsion by writing to them, phoning them, or going into branch. The downside is that they might not disclosd the reason.

I assume your Barclays bank account is in order most of the time. Also check your credit files for anything that might impact the closure, like cifas markers, etc... I don't think your debt repayment is a factor though, as it's being paid off.

There are a number of threads regarding Barclays closing people's accounts. Some were successful in appealing, some unsuccessful, or didn'f appeal.


I would recommend Nationwide in terms of customer service.

Thrugelmir

HSBC - left due to poor customer service and debt paid off slowly
First Direct - HSBC in another name debt paid off
LTSB - left debt -slowly paid off still have one loan outstanding

Why would any bank want the bother of dealing with you? Your history speaks for itself.

help4help2013

lot of basic bank account you can get have a debit card facility but if your not happy with the level of service your getting i cant see where you can go next had a few problem with my bank in the past but ive always stayed with them.

ever thought it might be yourself and not the bank? just an opinion that's all

GingerFurball_2

peteuk wrote: »

It is a miss conception that opening another persons mail is against the law. The CAB state:
"Opening someone else’s mail is allowed in certain circumstances under the Postal Services Act 2000. It is only an offence if you open someone else’s mail ‘without reasonable excuse’ or if you ‘intend to act to another’s detriment'. For example, if you are receiving bank statements/cards in someone else’s name then you should act on that immediately. You should tell the sender, either by returning it marked “not known at this address” or by opening the mail and calling any number provided within. The “reasonable excuse” for opening such items would then be that you were helping to prevent fraud against the companies involved."

So when Ive sent back mail with no longer at this address and nothing is done, I open it and then act appropriately i.e. contact customer service and inform them direct. Item is then either returned to them or shredded.

Yes I know the debt doesn't help and we are sorting that. I was hoping Barclays would be the last change. Nat west was changed purely on customer service. Who knows.....

What exactly are you expecting a bank to do when you call them about someone else's account?

mgdavid

If I were a bank I have to ask myself why would I want you as a customer

FireWyrm

pinkdalek wrote: »

That should have nothing to do with a banks attitude.

You help someone through a stressful time, they are more likely to return back and remain loyal.

Banks are not charities or agony aunts or your best friend. They are there to make a profit for their shareholders. They dont give a damn about your personal situation, only in so far as your ability to satisfy any credit extended you. Since most accounts come with some sort of credit facility regardless of whether it is activated or not, banks are becoming increasingly reluctant to do business with anyone who is apparently financially inept. All businesses can refuse to do business with a potential customer if they so wish.

Try another bank and try not to annoy them this time. You are right, there are only so many banks in the country.

grumbler

Thrugelmir wrote: »

Why would any bank want the bother of dealing with you?

Because it's their main business to lend money and to make profit from this?

Your history speaks for itself.

No it doesn't.
It would if there were defaults and payment plans involved, but you can only assume that it was the case.