Unauthorised Use of my Barclays Debit Card?

[Cobbs]

Ive held my barclays account since they took over all of the Woolwich accounts.

 

January '09, I took out a couple of Payday Loans. I would repay them back, only to have to take out another one to live on for the month. I got into a vicious cycle. Financially I got into a mess, so contacted CCCS, who advised me to write to all of my creditors, and offer them monthly token payments to pay off the debts (as every month Ive been going into debt by £1000+)! I did that.

 

One day, randomly, one of the payday loan companies swiped out £356 from my account - using my card details (I had just got paid), then the next day, another payday loan company swiped 2 x random payments of £68 and £33.

I called Barclays and told them the issue, and was advised that I needed to fill out an investigation form for these unauthorised payments from my card. They popped the form in the post. When I received it, I immediately filled in the form and sent it back to them. I was advised that in the meantime, until the investigation was done, that I should transfer any money that goes into the account over to one of my other accounts (the kids accounts), and that should include the 'reserve and overdraft' that i have. They said that even if they stop my card, that they will still pay the companies as I have given them my details, and in doing so, have authorised them to take money from my card!!!

 

I did as I was advised, but every week i was still being charged the 'Reserve' fee. Also, because my account was always in a deficite (sp?), soemtimes I missed my direct debits (due to not transferringmoney back over in time), and they would charge me 'Unpaid' fees too!

A month or so later, I called Barclays to enquire about the investigation, only to be told that they had not received the signed investigation form. They said that they would send me another one out.

Another month later, I still havent received the form from them, so I called them up to tell them this. the woman I spoke to said that basically there is nothing to investigate, as I have given the payday loan companies my details, and that the only option i have is to write to the companies and deal with them (which I have already done), and to call customer service and have them deal with the charges that I have incurred.

 

SOOOOO... I called the customer service department, who advised me that card services have to come to a determination in my favour, before any charges can be refunded, and that card services have to put in the request, NOT ME!! So I called card Services again, who them told me that they have no authority what-so-ever, and do not get involved with bank charges, and that I have to go back to Customer Services!

 

This has been going on for months now, and I am incurring charges every week due to this. Just last week, they took £168 from my account in charges. I really dont know what to do or where to turn.

 

Please, please, please... If anyone has got any advice on what I should do, it would be very much appreciated!

[dpick]

Hi I would say easy option is to open another bank account (not with Barclayshark group) this will stop any further attempts by loan company to take your money and inform Barclays that your account is closed. Then start a claim for refund of all charges made by Barclays.

 

dpick

[jansus]

I have heard lots of reports of how hard Barclays are to deal with at the moment.

Put the account is dispute - make an official complaint about how they have handled your case. And as it id not just about the charges complain to the FOS if you do not get the reply you want.

[slick132]

Hi Cobbs,

 

I agree that you you should try and open a basic a/c elsewhere. Barclays will just keep adding their Reserve Fees and add to your problems with Payday Loans.

 

If you haven't already done so, write to the bank confirming that:-

 

I hereby confirm that no money is to be paid to Payday Loans from any of my bank accounts and I withdraw any authority given for such payments to be made.

You will have to continue trying to get the unauthorised withdrawals returned but I don't know if you'll succeed. The bank and the "card services" seem to be bouncing you back and forth. Are Card Services a part of Barclays, or an outside company.

[Cobbs]

Hi I would say easy option is to open another bank account (not with Barclayshark group) this will stop any further attempts by loan company to take your money and inform Barclays that your account is closed. Then start a claim for refund of all charges made by Barclays.

 

dpick

I think that you may well be right!!

 

Do you know how I would file for a refund on the charges?

[Cobbs]

I have heard lots of reports of how hard Barclays are to deal with at the moment.

Put the account is dispute - make an official complaint about how they have handled your case. And as it id not just about the charges complain to the FOS if you do not get the reply you want.

What would i need to do to put the account in dispute? When do you advise that I complain to the FOS?

[Cobbs]

Hi Cobbs,

 

I agree that you you should try and open a basic a/c elsewhere. Barclays will just keep adding their Reserve Fees and add to your problems with Payday Loans.

 

If you haven't already done so, write to the bank confirming that:-

 

I hereby confirm that no money is to be paid to Payday Loans from any of my bank accounts and I withdraw any authority given for such payments to be made.

 

You will have to continue trying to get the unauthorised withdrawals returned but I don't know if you'll succeed. The bank and the "card services" seem to be bouncing you back and forth. Are Card Services a part of Barclays, or an outside company.

I have not done this. I shall do this first thing tomorrow. Thank you!

 

Card Services are part of Barclays... Just a different department. They seem to be bouncing me because no one wants to deal with the issue. Its a really sorry affair!

[slick132]

Hi Cobbs,

 

Before you raise any complaint with the FOS, you need to complain to Barclays. When they give you their "final response" or if they fail to respond in 8 weeks, then you can complain to the FOS.

 

I suggest you read this thread first, and subscribe to it so you keep up to date - http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/barclays-bank/181529-right-war-bookie-barclays.html

[postggj]

before these payday companies started dipping into your acount

 

did you cancel your card and get a new one