Calling Barclay’s

pridehappy

I had an offset current account attached to my Barclay’s mortgage years ago, despite never using Barclay’s as my main current account and only ever using it to pay my mortgage. The mortgage was paid off around 5 years ago, and thus I assumed that the current account would be closed at the same time as the mortgage. Instead, it was transferred to a standard current account I believe and left alone. However, upon recently checking my credit file, I noticed the current account was still listed as ‘active’ despite the mortgage being in the history section.

I’m surprised it’s been 5 years and it still hasn’t been closed, I was even wondering if it’s a bug in their system. I have no debit card, no online banking, I don’t even remember the account details as I shredded all of them for the current account when I paid off the mortgage (assumed it would be automatically closed alongside) as I’d never even got any communication directly afterwards. I’ve not moved house either so it’s not like they could have sent documents to my old address. I’ve even switched phone numbers and email addresses.

My local branch is miles away, and I wanted to at least close this account as I don’t like Barclay’s as a bank. However, when trying to call Barclay’s, I’ve been quoted a minimum of 1 hours 30 minutes the queue and a maximum of 3 hours. It advises to use the app chat function, but of course I can’t access this. Does anyone know how to get through to Barclay’s in quicker time?

WillPS

The account won't have closed itself when the mortgage ends - it's meant to be used as an actual current account.

Current accounts don't just close themselves either - different banks have different conditions for making accounts dormant, but it's not unheard of for decades old accounts with no activity on them at all to remain open.

If you don't want to wait on the phone or visit a branch, how about an old fashioned letter in the post? It'd no doubt help if you stated the sort code and account number if you have a record of it.

fun4everyone

I had to contact Barclays the other day about something.  I persisted with the phone call and it ended up (I think, cant tell for sure) being answered by an Indian call centre who did answer all my questions but unfortunately got one wrong that wasnt really their fault.  I got a much much faster response when I next tried contacting them via Social Media.  I was called back extremely quickly from the UK by someone highly competent who saw I had an unfixable from my end situation which they solved.  I would say if I ever needed to contact them again i would definitely use social media first, although of course DMs on there are never truly "private".

boingy

Crazy as it sounds, and assuming you are still at the same address, it might be easier to open another Barclays account and register for online banking then close the accounts from there.

Alternatively, if you know the sort code and account number you could CASS switch the current account to your main one (just say "no" to the bit that asks if you have a debit card).

friolento

Why close it? If anything, the account has a positive impact on your credit file because it adds to your account longevity / stability.