Barclays just put me in 200k debt for no fault of my own

JamesJUK

This morning I checked my account to see if my ESA had went in, and both accounts were in debt of nearly 100k each! The only money that goes into these accounts is my benefits, so you can imagine how shocked I was to see I was now 200k in debt.

It's either an error on their part, or fraud. But fraud isn't possible. The two accounts are basic accounts for benefits. One is savings, the other is the normal account. I've tried to take 10 quid out in the past when I've had no cash and it wouldn't let me, so to let 100k go through on both accounts is beyond shocking!

I was told both were card transactions. How is that possible when the savings account has a basic card, it's not even a visa. They also said both were "forced". I have no idea what that means.

I asked if I could take my ESA out to get food for us and our 7 year old, and was told I couldn’t because the line manager had gone home.

I have to go back tomorrow to try and sort this out, but everyone seems clueless. They called numerous Indian call centres who couldn't solve the problem. I asked if they could call a direct UK number and they said they didnt have any numbers.

I've posted the full story on Reddit here: reddit.com/r/UKPersonalFinance/comments/3djadw/today_barclays_put_me_in_200000_pounds_in_debt_by/

No idea what to do now. Im in 200k debt through no fault of my own. If I dont get access to the cash tomorrow then I have no money for food. They said if it was an error, it could take a week before I have access to my cash.

A WEEK!!!!! For their error!!!

So as of now I am 200k in debt for no reason. If they can't solve this then am I really expected to pay back 200k?????

sourcrates

Obviously it's either an error, or fraud, either way they will know it's not you who is responsible for it.
I would bypass the muppets at branch level, and immediately contact head office customer services in order to resolve this.

JamesJUK

When I was in the bank today nobody knew anything. Whoever they contacted kept passing them over to different departments until they either cut us off, or passed us back to the department we first arrived at.

It's a very stressful situation because nobody seems to know how to fix it. I dread that tomorrow will be the same and I'm going to be left with no money. My son is ill and needs medicine, we need food, but my money is stuck in those accounts and I can't get access to it because they're in debt.

duchy

Go in tomorrow with a LETTER formally complaining -once you put it in writing things will move a lot quicker as it triggers their formal complaints process and bypasses the branch employees with no power to resolve.

I'd also check out who your MP is on google and let them know what is happening. An MP taking an interest tends to concentrate the minds of those at head office.

Cornucopia

I think your take on this is a little strange. They haven't put you in debt, because the £200k is their mistake (possibly some quirk in the systems, or some kind of fraud). The one thing it can't be is your problem, because your accounts could not/cannot be operated to produce that kind of negative balance.

I'm also slightly surprised that you haven't done a transactions list to get more information about what has gone on.

....am I really expected to pay back 200k?????

Is that a serious comment?

JamesJUK

There's nothing on the transactions online. And the bank couldn't even see the transaction. The fraud department seen it as BLG70943 FORCED, but didn't deem it fraud and transferred the advisor to another department.

And that's what happened until the bank closed and I had to leave.

I'm sorry, but at the moment I'm a little nervous, and I have been know to overthink and overcomplicate things (blame that on anxiety and aspergers).

Cornucopia

Whatever it shows on the transaction listing (even if its an inexplicable jump in the balance) is still useful evidence - I would suggest capturing it if you can.

andyfromotley

Aren't your sons medicine prescriptions free?

floella80

If it was classed as 'forced' then why would they even let it go through in the first place? Crazy on their behalf in my opinion.

Teacher2

Tell the 'Daily Mail'. That will get some prompt action from Barclays.

meer53

Call Barclays again. They cannot prevent you from accessing any benefits payments, no matter how big your overdraft is.