wrongly placed CIFAs marker by Barclays

equanimity

When I first opened my Barclays account in 2015, it has been over a week before I received my card in the post, and when I went in branch to enquire about it, someone had intercepted the post and stolen the card and used it to put money IN and take it out too via ATM. This was a case of fraud I experienced at the very start. (Talk about bad luck.. lol. :undecided: )
As soon as I opened my account, I used my bank details for a company I was working for in which they paid me my bonus to that account, so I was receiving payments from them - This company is completely legit.
This person had also taken a sum of that money I received from my company.

I reported this to Barclays, and they sorted this out aswell as returning my money back to me.
I then was issued a new card that I was able to use. Everything was good. I continued receiving payments from my company to that account.
Around December 2015, Barclays sent a letter saying that they have closed my account, and I need to take out any remaining funds in the account. No one could tell me why or give details about my account being closed. No one in branch could help me, and when I called they could still not specify any details.

After Barclays closing my account, I didn't open an account with any other bank for a while since at that time I did not really need one. Then around the start of 2017 I applied for an account with NationWide, however I couldn't open one. I tried again with Halifax, they gave me a current account but then about a month later, they closed it. They said I should enquire about a Subject Access Form from CIFAs.
I got a Subject Access Form from CIFAs which showed I have a fraud marker on my name, for first party fraud which was filed by Barclays. This is completely incorrect and a mistake, I did not take part in any fraud, I was a victim of fraud at the start when my card and PIN was stolen in the post. Any large sums of money coming into my account was from a legitimate company, which I can provide proof for. I've gone into branch and told them about this, but everyone says that it's beyond their capabilities and I will have to speak to the fraud team. One told me that this happened 2 years ago, and that I should've sorted it out at that time and its too late - but no one in Barclays gave me any hints or clues as to why my account was closed at all - It was only until after I had applied to different banks!
I've waited hours and hours on the phone being put on hold, being changed to different people but have still gotten nowhere.

I dont know what to do now. I'm just about to enter university and will be refused any normal account for 6 years until the marker is removed. This will limit me in so many ways, I can't even work a proper job because I don't have a bank account.

Has anyone experienced this? What can I do? Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Arleen

You will have to lodge a written appeal with Barclays, explaining exactly what happened and take it from there as you won't get this resolved over a phone.This will take time, likely months, so if you need a bank account to use for now, maybe try using friends one.

sourcrates

Agree with the above, a written complaint to the fraud team at Barclays is the only way to get this sorted.

The staff in branch were wrong when they told you it was too late to sort it after two years, you have 6 years to sort out complaints, from the date you realized something was wrong, branch staff unfortunately do not know everything.

I would assume this would fall within the re-mit of the FOS as well, so if Barclays dont clear this up to your satisfaction, escalate it to them.