Barclays Tax Haven ISA: Have you opened one?

Smartinvestor

My experience suggests complaining by internet may not be the best option.

My wife complained by internet on 12 May, got an acknowledgement but no reply yet.

Interestingly, the complaints leaflet says they will reply by email, but they insist on replying in writing.


I complained in person, at the branch, on the same date. Received two holding letters and eventually got an "only backdating to 15 days" answer.

However, they haven't told me the actual date they will be backdating to! This subject is definitely not closed.

Bogwoppit_22

Hey Chissy, you're not alone. That's exactly what drove me over the edge.I too took in passport and driving licence (after phoning in advance to check what I should take in to make things run as smooth as possible). I too received that letter. It is soooo obviously their stalling tactic. Well it didn't work with me as I cancelled my application and have now invested my money elsewhere. I really can't fathom how a company can be so willing to cause such inconvenience and show such incompetance towards their customers/potential customers. It's crazy. Not good business sense at all. Oh well, thier loss and a valuable lesson learned for me.

harbinger13

Things are going well so far - opened account around June 6th - money drawn into the account - I called and confirmed. I have only ISA account - hence I will not be able to check balances online! Dumb. But I have asked for a monthly statement so I can keep a tab.

Though after I got a letter stating the account is opened and then money deposited - I got another letter saying standard 4weeks delay - but when I called to verify they have the account open (and hopefully running) Will know when I receive the balances statement.

Would advise others to receive monthly statements - in case you can not check online.

chissy252

Bogwoppit_22 wrote: »

Hey Chissy, you're not alone. That's exactly what drove me over the edge.I too took in passport and driving licence (after phoning in advance to check what I should take in to make things run as smooth as possible). I too received that letter. It is soooo obviously their stalling tactic. Well it didn't work with me as I cancelled my application and have now invested my money elsewhere. I really can't fathom how a company can be so willing to cause such inconvenience and show such incompetance towards their customers/potential customers. It's crazy. Not good business sense at all. Oh well, thier loss and a valuable lesson learned for me.

I'm trying to keep my cool Bogwoppit (great user name BTW) The branch staff were very unsure what to do with the letter so they copied both our passports and driving licences to be sure. Was told the branch manager would phone me this afternoon but at 16.15 hasn't done so yet. I'm just logging all this down, ready for when my official complaint is finally addressed.

I hope others read through threads like this before getting involved with Barclays and learn from my mistake in not doing so beforehand.

msaquib

cs27 wrote: »

Out of interest has anyone tried to set up a Standing Order payment into their ISA using Barclays online banking. I just wonder whether it would work? You could use a slightly different varient of your name, e.g. Initials and the word ISA for the account name, as it is the sort code and number which matter.

If anyone has please let us know.

Thanks.

I have tried but cannot setup Standing Order to pay ISA from Barclays Bank Acccount. It does not let me.

MS

Jherhome1

I do not think you can set up a standing order into the ISA by online banking, but it can be done though by ringing the ISA department on 08456030845 (check saynoto0870.com). Although I'm not sure whether this is just for Barlcays current account holders only.
Also has anyone had any problems paying into their ISA over the counter? I was told today that I could not deposit money into the ISA and instead would have to ring the ISA department to set up a transfer from my Barlcays current account. I was unsure about this (as the account is listed as Instant access) so asked another worker at the branch who suggested I use the self service machine to set up a transfer. Hopefully the money should transfer.

MABLE

Well I opened the Tax Haven ISA on the 25 April and deposited £1.00 and would pay the rest in later. I transferred an amount of £3599.00 and was credited on the 5 June. However on the 6 June they amount of £3600.61 (including interest) was transferred back to my Barclays currant account without any explanation and ISA was closed down. I hasten to add I have only opened the one ISA for 2008/2009.

I have been on the phone today and no one can explain why this has happened and they have put it through as a complaint.

Because of their error I can not do anything until the matter has been investigated.

MrAnalogy

Can I claim the current record? Just received a letter this morning from the ISA Centre - containing my original cheque and application form. This is the fourth time it has been rejected!

Apparently there was still a problem with my Post Code - even though on the third rejection I contacted the ISA Centre and the assured me that they had corrected it and that I would now have no further problems in opening my ISA.

I have gone beyond angry, and have just become amused at their continuing incompetence (plus it provides even stronger evidence for my outstanding complaint), and have almost started looking for the hidden cameras that must be hoping to catch my perplexity for some new low-grade TV programme

TomsMom

Mr Analogy, I would take this as a sign

They have proved over and over again to you (and many others) how completely incompetent they are.

Put your money in another ISA, where customer service means something and who know how to do their job properly.

OH and I were reasonably lucky, our ISA got opened within about 5-6 weeks and we also had interest on the full £3,600 backdated to day 1 with a cheque for £20 each to cover this received last week. However, as we have now had to endure Barclays incompetence two years running our money will be transferred as soon as we find a suitable alternative.

TMBH

TA DA!

My ISA is finally open after just over two months. I have made two official complaints and have not heard anything yet. I have not had confirmation that interest will be backdated neither have I had an official apology about the delays....