Ooo thank you for responding! Right parachute account...opening another account, i did try to do that with Nationwide but because it wasn't going to be main account it would cost me £100 to open it...would also be in my married name (my accounts are still in my maiden name as I didn't see the point of changing them) which I have technically reverted back to anyway, bar my passport which I can't friggin afford to change, as a bank account needs your passport to open it with don't know it this is wise or not...will have a look at link in greater detail! There will be lots of peculiarities too ex husband was South African, yes I have my decree absolute, and all paper work, including all my bank statements from when I first opened my account..very anal! lol Also keep all records for yearly accounts... However, they did stop sending the statements for joint account which were sent in his name originally. I told the bank on the phone when they first caught me, why were they chasing me alone, they said they were him too, but i didn't believe them, and they told me I was the primer holder???? I did point out that if I was the primer holder why did the statements come in his name and not mine?? So yes I am the one that is hooked coz I have the conscious, sense of responsibility and absolutely no sense being otherwise! I will take everything thing in, it may take me a while but many thanks please continue with any more advice, those who have commented have already perked my spirits up already, bless you!

I have been looking through the forum these past few hours after being directed here by Google after receiving a phone call, then a text message from an unknown company called RMA saying urgent I had to call them. I know realize it's a debt collection agency regarding a closed unpaid joint account which I will get to in a mo. In trying to get an idea by reading some of the threads of what action to take against barclays bank, other issues have been highlighted too, hardship claims, reserve fees and not to mention the constant harassment from Barclays over this joint account...I am at my wits end as to where to start and extremely bedazzled by all the jargon and avenues to take, so I apologize in advance but would appreciate some help in finding what direction I need to go. To summarize: I am self employed and work has been minimal these past few years. I have a chronic medical condition that hinders maintaining full/pt time work, hence why I am self-employed, I can work when I can and on my terms illness allowing. In 2008 my then husband left leaving 2 months rent on the house we were living in together. He transferred all our savings in the region of £60,000,00 off shore, it was in his name (he refused to put it into both). Upon his leaving he promised to cover joint account with x amount so I could pay off owing 2 months rent and the joint account well over the limit, and bills that were outstanding from when he was still living with me. He paid a third of what he promised. So, Joint account was over the overdraft limit in the cushion limit, his amount brought it just under the overdraft limit. All was well for a time, no charges etc, thought it would get settled upon my settlement...well that never came. Then barclays introduced this reserve fee, and I overwhelmed with my illness and trying to find some income didn't realise what this reserve fee was all about, basically I didn't read the paperwork. He drew out money and of course it went over and it spiralled from there with the threatening letters. I have paid about £400 in total off a £1500 over draft. I have spoken with barclays on couple of occasions, telling them that I was not earning very much at all to live, up to my eyeballs with my credit cards due to paying off bills and trying to survive, on housing benefit, not bring much income in at all because of the climate and stress and offered them £20 per month. They refused, said I had to pay such and such within 6 months which I just couldn't do. I did pay a few installments as above for 3 months then a lump sum which I sold something just to get them off my back but it just got worse after that... The harassing phone calls continued up to nearly hour a day from 8-9pm at night, the threatening letters etc, basically now I have just ignored them...can't deal with it and CAB is as much use as a chocolate teapot, just told me to send the standard letter stating they were breaking some law...i also included a statement saying I was unable to pay the full amount and that I had offered a certain amount each month but they had refused and it wasn't all my bag anyway, what were they doing about my ex? They looked into it via the complaints procedure and basically responded with we don't care, pay up or else letter... I didn't hear anything for over the last 1 month and a half, no letters no calls then the account disappeared of my internet, and I thought maybe he's finally come to his senses and paid the amount off...but the quietness is due to it going to this RMA... What now? They are hassling me now, I am still without a regular income and on top I am constantly being charged reserve charges on my personal account, once your out of sync your screwed...they have taken hundreds in charges nearly up to the £88 per month over the last two years... Can't take any more, this is a bank i have my business account with they know exactly what I have come in, as well as my personal, I have no other accounts with any other bank. I have brought tens of thousands over the years and it's been a long time, yet Barclays have treated me so badly when I was left with nothing and in such debt and begged for help they refused yet gave the person who put me there with a loan of £2000. (Yes little bitter there) I just can't get out of this vortex and I need help, I know I have stuck my head in the sand, and I am paying for it believe me...I would be truly grateful if someone could point me in a direction that will make my life better. In hope....