Barclays Bank
Credit Card Balance Transfer Fraud
- 03-09-2009
- 65
When I filled out a recent credit card application with Barclays Bank Miles And More Mastercard I requested a balance transfer of 500 dollars. During the application process, there is no way to determine what credit limit they will give you. I have great credit (740) and was expecting at the very least a 5000 dollar credit limit.
As it turns out, I was only approved for 500 hundred dollars. Strange, as that is the exact amount of my balance transfer. As a result, even before I get my card, I am over the limit. I now owe Barclays 540 dollars on a 500 dollar credit balance transfer I requested. I called them and they will not waive the fee. I have closed the account even before receiving the card.
I feel this practice is dishonest at the best, and fraud at the worst. Why can I not know my credit limit before I request the transfer?
I believe the honest way Barclays should have dealt with this situation is been upfront with the amount of credit they were going to give me, or, when the balance transfer request was more then the credit limit, they could have lowered the balance transfer a few dollars and everyone would be happy.
There is no reason for me to only have 500 dollars in credit. I have GREAT credit. I have other cards with 5,10 and 25K in limits. I owe 500 dollars on all of my cards combined. I have a mortgage nearly 75% paid. I have a student loan 90% paid off.
The only reason for such a low credit limit is they WANTED MY BALANCE TO GO OVER THE LIMIT so they could charge me the extra 40 bucks.
Please be aware of this dishonest practice. When filling out a credit card application, make sure you know exactly what your credit limit is before agreeing to the balance transfer amount.
I have no other recourse but to pay them the 40 dollars else they will dink my credit report and the dink isn't worth 40 dollars.
I'm sure they know this and that is why they can get away with it. Stay Away from Barclays.in fact stay away from balance transfers altogether. This practice is dishonest and should be stopped.
Cheers
Company: Barclays Bank
Country: USA
Site: www.barclaybankus.com