Have you been conned by Barclays bank?

[lovejoy]

I have, I don't have a credit card, why? because I don't want credit, I haven't issued any cheques that could make me overdrawn, in fact in the seventeen years since I opened this account I have NEVER been overdrawn.

Two weeks ago after paying for a small amount of groceries in the local coop with my "hole in the wall card" Barclays tell me that because that transaction made me �5.22 overdrawn I have to pay them �30 overdraft fee.

Since the computer is programmed to NOT issue overdrafts on a hole in the wall card and since I have studiously avoided overdrafts for the entire of my life how do Barclays think I am responsible?

[Batman7070]

The trouble with computers and banks is that neither are human.

With your good past history I would first try to get to speak to someone at Barclays and raise this unfairness with them. You may get the charges refunded. Failing that write to the Bank Head office. If that fails try the Financial Standards Ascociation.

Personally I would not touch Barclays with a bargepole they are a notoriously inhuman bank in my opinion.

[New Seeker]

A friend of mine had this situttion last month. He marched into the bank and flatly refused to pay the fee. They waived it. What you have to do is remain firm until they break.

[Oneeyedvic]

Your only chance at the moment is with the bank itself. If you have been a good customer then they will in all likelihood refund that charge. If I were you I wouldn't go in with all guns blazing though - all that will achieve is getting up someone's nose.

It is very easy to go overdrawn with a debit card as it relies on computer systems - and if a previous transaction didn't go through in time it may have thought you had more money that you actually had.

There is currently a court case going thorough to find out if these types of charges are fair - until then most banks are not refunding people's charges - though in your case if it is a one off, they probably will.

[CheekyChops]

Computers are programmed not to allow overdrafts when used in an ATM, the situation when using your card at point of sale is different.

If you have Solo or Visa Electron, then authorisation is required for every transaction. Even if you are spending 50p and paying by card, it has to be authorised. Switch/Maestro/Visa Delta cards work slightly differently. Each individual shop has a floor limit and only transactions over that limit require authorisation. Therefore if you spent 50p and paid by card, it probably wouldn't require authorisation and could theoretically cause you to go overddrawn.

As you have been a good customer of Barclays for many years, I would definately speak to them, they may well refund the fee as a gesture of goodwill.

[Loosehead]

No sure what the problem is her, you went overdrawn right? Should they have bounced your card is that what you are saying? As above and ATN would refuse but an actual sale transaction would work within certain tolerances.

I find it remarkable that someone who has never been overdrawn would not know how much money was in the account to spend.

[Twenty20]

I think I'm missing something here. If you went overdrawn, even by �5.22, surely this is your fault and not Barclays? Why would you think it is their fault and not yours that you've spent money that you don't have in the account?

Having said that, a lot of times these charges will be waived if you question them.

[redcrx]

speak to Barclays and see if they will waive the fee, they may do if youve always had good credit history with them

I cant see how going overdrawn on your card would be any different to having written out a cheque that would take you over your limit, surely it was either deliberate or you werent as sure of your balance as you thought

[paulos66]

Seeing as though it's Barclays I recommend a balaclava and a sawn off

[johnny37]

Its the computer wot overdrew you. Small overdrafts are designed so that you do not get any cheques or DDs bounced, or have your card refused at the shop which would annoy you more. Speak to the bank. With your record you will get the charge refunded no probs. And arrange for a small overdraft facility, say �50..

[Teloz]

Johnnies advice is good, but if you really don't want to go overdrawn move to a Co-op Bank Cashminder Account. You get a Visa Electron card but no cheques and no overdraft facilities. Otherwise it's like any other account except that you can use it if you're bankrupt as long as the receiver is happy with the idea.

[Hazel104]

In fact you were only 22p overdrawn as Barclays have a �5 buffer on accounts and will not charge you for going OD anything under �5. ( They don't like people knowing this though!) I have been with Barclays for years and yes they can be a heartless bunch and were until I was earning a good wage! But in my experience they will be fine if you talk to them directly and will cancel the charge for you, especially if you do not usually have these problems.

[lovejoy]

Today I received an apology from Barclays and the �30 charge has been cancelled.


I wonder how much they rake in each year from people that dont make a fuss and just pay up?

[snow.maiden]

I have a Barclay Card, and always pay it on time, but they tried to charge me horrendous fees after I didn't receive statements SIX times. They told me that these'd been sent out - but then waived the charges anyway. As soon as I've paid the money off, I'm never having anything to do with them again.

[figure]

Glad to hear things worked out for you with the bank lovejoy. Banks and credit card companies try every trick; if people don't pay attention to their statements and accounts they could surely get rip of big time.

[Ice.Maiden]

It's true Figure - I know someone who never queried extra charges that appeared on her statement. Turned out that they should never have been added, but all she got was an apology - and no refund!!!! Barclays again! unbelievable.

[Ice.Maiden]

YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!! back!!!

[figure]

Welcome back Ice.Maiden!!!

[Ice.Maiden]

Cheers!!!! Now just waiting to access beta.......lol.....