Barclays - Online Banking Blues
I thought I'd try and save myself some time, effort and hassle by setting up online banking on my current account, which is with Barclays. Being a busy sort of chap I can't always get to the bank during the day so the idea of managing my account online and at my convenience is quite appealing.
Just as you'd expect you have to sign up via the Barclays website and complete a web form to confirm your account and personal details. I put in my name, account number, sort code, Connect card number and date of birth without fault but for some reason the computer said no. I tried again and still no joy.
Next step was to ring their online banking helpline and after navigating through the touch tone commands I ended up speaking to a real person. I explained that I'd entered my details correctly and for some reason the computer had said no.
The conversation continued something like this:
Barclays guy (BG): "I see Mr Jackson. Can you just confirm your account number and sort code?"
Tom: "Yes. My account number is XXXXXXXX and the sort code is XX-XX-XX."
BG: "Can you tell me your date of birth?"
Tom: "Yes, it's XX-XX-XX."
BG: "Mmm, well according to the computer you already have online banking."
Tom: "No, that's wrong. I've never banked online in my life."
BG: "Mmm, well I can give you the membership number so you can try signing in with it."
Tom: "Okay, please do."
BG: "It's XXXXXXXXXXXX. Do you want to read that back to me?"
Tom: "Yes, here goes: XXXXXXXXXXXX."
BG: "That's correct. Now we'll need to send you a password so you can access your account online. Can you confirm your address please?"
Tom: "Yes, it's [Tom recites address]"
BG: "That's your statement address, not your correspondence address."
Tom: "That's the only address the bank has. When you send me statements you are corresponding with me, so what's the difference?"
BG: "Unfortunately I can only send your password to your correspondence address, not your statement address."
Tom: "Yes, but they're the same. That address is the address I use for all my banking."
BG: "But it's not down as your correspondence address."
Tom: "Well, can you not please send the password to that address instead?"
BG: "No."
Tom: "Oh. So how do I go about informing the bank of my correspondence address?"
BG: "Well, if you use telephone banking I can transfer you to the appropriate department."
Tom: "I don't use telephone banking."
BG: "Oh. Well, in that case you'll have to visit a Barclays branch and inform them."
Tom: "Okay, I suppose I'll do that then. Bye."
So this online banking lark isn't as straightforward as they'd have you believe. Not only does their computer not recognise my account details, but it also thinks I'm already using the service when I'm not.
All in all a complete load of bollocks!
Just as you'd expect you have to sign up via the Barclays website and complete a web form to confirm your account and personal details. I put in my name, account number, sort code, Connect card number and date of birth without fault but for some reason the computer said no. I tried again and still no joy.
Next step was to ring their online banking helpline and after navigating through the touch tone commands I ended up speaking to a real person. I explained that I'd entered my details correctly and for some reason the computer had said no.
The conversation continued something like this:
Barclays guy (BG): "I see Mr Jackson. Can you just confirm your account number and sort code?"
Tom: "Yes. My account number is XXXXXXXX and the sort code is XX-XX-XX."
BG: "Can you tell me your date of birth?"
Tom: "Yes, it's XX-XX-XX."
BG: "Mmm, well according to the computer you already have online banking."
Tom: "No, that's wrong. I've never banked online in my life."
BG: "Mmm, well I can give you the membership number so you can try signing in with it."
Tom: "Okay, please do."
BG: "It's XXXXXXXXXXXX. Do you want to read that back to me?"
Tom: "Yes, here goes: XXXXXXXXXXXX."
BG: "That's correct. Now we'll need to send you a password so you can access your account online. Can you confirm your address please?"
Tom: "Yes, it's [Tom recites address]"
BG: "That's your statement address, not your correspondence address."
Tom: "That's the only address the bank has. When you send me statements you are corresponding with me, so what's the difference?"
BG: "Unfortunately I can only send your password to your correspondence address, not your statement address."
Tom: "Yes, but they're the same. That address is the address I use for all my banking."
BG: "But it's not down as your correspondence address."
Tom: "Well, can you not please send the password to that address instead?"
BG: "No."
Tom: "Oh. So how do I go about informing the bank of my correspondence address?"
BG: "Well, if you use telephone banking I can transfer you to the appropriate department."
Tom: "I don't use telephone banking."
BG: "Oh. Well, in that case you'll have to visit a Barclays branch and inform them."
Tom: "Okay, I suppose I'll do that then. Bye."
So this online banking lark isn't as straightforward as they'd have you believe. Not only does their computer not recognise my account details, but it also thinks I'm already using the service when I'm not.
All in all a complete load of bollocks!
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