08000852652

Call received today, not answered and directed here - despite the fact I do not, and have never, had a Barclays account just to fuel some paranoia :)

Got call on 08000 852 652 from man with English accent asking for my DOB.  I declined unless he could give evidence he was from Barclays and hung up.  30 minutes later I got another call from this number (evidenced by 1471) by a man with a Liverpudlian accent, offering the last 4 digits of my connect card and any selected two digits of my sort code I cared to ask for.  I asked what his call was for, he said it was to improve my bank interest rates, and I replied that I would rather do it face to face in a branch.  He sounded quite displeased with that, saying I would have to make an appointment with a branch finance manager.  Having read some of the other comments on this site, I feel it was probably from some sort of Barclays sales activity.

Guys,

This IS a call from Barclays.  The reason for any sketchiness when you ask the purpose of the call BEFORE going through security is because of the Data Protection Act.  Barclays is not allowed to confirm a definite bank-customer relationship before identifying the customer via two simple security questions (I understand people's paranoia regarding this security, but the info. Barclays ask you to confirm is pretty much useless to any potential scammer).  

The reason why Barclays is unable to confirm their relationship with yourselves before the security questions is in order to protect YOU.  Take the extreme example of a battered wife intending to flee her husband, squirelling away some secret money in a secret Barclays account before she leaves.  Confirming her relationship with Barclays with someone OTHER than herself could potentially prove disastrous.

Secondly, these calls are NOT of a sales nature.  Callers from these departments are unable to sell you any products that actually cost you money (such as fee-based accounts, etc.).  Rather, they will be looking to check your current level of satisfaction with Barclays (and can iron out any problems you may raise), as well as advise you on any developments within the bank, most commonly in offering you little extras and upgrades (again, NOTHING that would cost you any money!).

If you do not wish to receive such calls, just let the adviser know.  You do NOT have to go through the security process in order to be removed from the call database, so please don't worry about that.

If you do choose to continue with the call, you may in fact be pleasantly surprised.  However, if you are concerned that perhaps the call is not genuine, please ask the adviser to confirm some details back to you before you give any information.  Again, Data Protection limits what can actually be given away, BUT, they should provide sufficient information to put your mind at ease.

All GOOD Barclays advisers should OFFER this information AS SOON as you begin to express any concern around the security process.  If you are not satisfied, you can end the call at any time.

Security is a two-way process, and it is the responsibility of both Barclays and the customer to get it right.

Hey, that's what I call clever. Someone who signs as 'Anon' telling us it's a genuine call. How do we verify that?
If my bank want to discuss anything then they can write to me, I refuse to discuss anything over the phone. A scammer may have an old bank statement out of your bin, so it's easy for him to tell you the sort code digits.
The Data Protection Act does NOT require a company to keep it's identity secret when they are asked who is calling. It's an uninvited call, just like someone on the doorstep - would you happily give someone personal information if you don't know who they are? I don't.
Quite simply, if you don't want to take the call then hang up. Unsolicited calls, sales or otherwise, are unwelcome here. I'm TPS registered and made a point of NOT giving my bank my home phone number.

Eric, I have kept my identity 'anon' for a reason.  All I was doing was attempting to put your minds at ease regarding WHY Barclays asks for your security information.

I've said it a few times and I've said it again - If you do not WANT to give any security details over the phone to Barclays (or anyone else), then please DON'T.

If the call is genuine, the adviser will attempt to prove their identity.  If you still say no, they will apologise and understand.  They can, at your wish, REMOVE you from such calling lists.

Anyone who doesn't fit the above criteria is a) a scam caller (though NOT from this number), or b) a very bad adviser - PLEASE contact Barclays if you are treated rudely, or if you are still unsure as to the veracity of the adviser's claims.  ASK THE FULL NAME OF THE ADVISOR AS WELL AS EXACTLY WHERE THEY'RE CALLING FROM (there are 2 main locations).  NOTE THE DATE & TIME OF THE CALL, AND CONTACT BARCLAYS...Rude/unprofessional advisors will be dealt with.

And, Eric, in regards to this comment:

"The Data Protection Act does NOT require a company to keep it's identity secret when they are asked who is calling."

No, you're right, they don't...but that's NOT what I said.  I said that Barclays won't confirm your RELATIONSHIP with them.  Barclays would sooner have suspicious people think they are COLD calling for marketing purposes (which they're not), rather than blow the cover of a customer who - for whatever reason - would prefer to keep the fact that they bank with Barclays under wraps.

I am pretty certain this number is a fraud number. But what I concern is how they get my name and mobile. I am wondering are you all customers of virgin? Because I just left my number with Virgin.

this company have called me even though I am on  a restricted phone (incoming calls "PTS" or TPS"  why call a number willy nilly? and at 1929 pm?

The reason you keep getting hung up on is that the dialling is done via computer which calls approx 100 numbers at a time and if they have less staff on (who talk to the first ones to answer) the computer simply hangs up when you answer as there is no more staff to take your call.  They keep ringing me and I let it go to the fax surely they should get the message soon.

I am dialling off this number at the moment from the financial planning department (savings and investments) in Liverpool central telephony. The number IS a Barclays number. Ignore the idiots who say it isnt a Barclays number.

Silly boy!     Get off the internet and get back to work.      Unless of course you are really the Comedian and Activist doing undercover reaearch into Barclays.   In which case.....good on you, lad; look foward to the programme.

I got a call from this number today. I didn't know who it was, so I didn't pick it up. Now I've read this thread, I'm going to keep on ignoring it. If Barclays have anything important to say, they have my details, and they can write or email.

Just took a call from this number, asking for my wife, who isn't in. OK I can accept this IS Barclays, from what has been said on this thread.....but when I asked for a number for her to ring back, none was given.
This is where the problem lies...give a number to call barclays back on,(that can been confirmed from their website) rather than keep pestering people.

Been calling me and have received about 6 calls a day and night for the past week between 03.17am and late at night.
Did not know number so turned off my phone.
Well got me tonight 18:42pm and asked for me by name claims to be Barclays credit control and need to update records and asked for my DOB.
I told this bloke that I not give that info to anyone over the phone.
I then asked if he know about the Data Protection Act, Well he said the He did.
I told him under The Data Protection Act I won't him to delet my number and not to call me again.
I will wait and see.

Been calling me and have received about 6 calls a day and night for the past week between 03.17am and late at night.
Did not know number so turned off my phone.
Well got me tonight 18:42pm and asked for me by name claims to be Barclays credit control and need to update records and asked for my DOB.
I told this bloke that I not give that info to anyone over the phone.
I then asked if he know about the Data Protection Act, Well he said that He did.
I told him under The Data Protection Act I won't him to delet my number and not to call me again.
I will wait and see.

They called again this morning, and I ignored them again. Hey, fed-up, tell us whether they stop pestering you.

IMO this is just audio spamming. I must dig out the manual for this mobile, and see if it has a caller-blocking feature.

Barclays keeps calling me asking for date of birth? I donot bank with Barclays and how did you get my number ian ex DIR?,  yes you do said the man and you have given your number to use.
Go away I told him and not to ring me again.

for the last two months I have been getting regular and persistent calls from this number, somethimes several a day. There is never anyone on the line if I answer.

If this IS Barclays, stop this tactic it is highly unprofessional and it will lose you customers.

If this is NOT Barclays, then my advice to Barclays is to get involved and do something about it because this practice is damaging your name even if you are not behind it.

Hi, Been receiving calls from this number both on my landline and Mobile for past 2 days.  Every time I answer, they hang up rudely.  Being both a business and premier customer of Barclays, we only deal with our relationship manager and are registered not to receive any marketing calls... so I am baffled????

this number has called me at least 5 times a day over last 10 days.

My wife was called at 5.15pm today.  The caller stated that she was from Barclays and that they could save my wife money if she answered a survey.  She declined and put the phone down.  I contacted barclays about this and they could not confirm that it was from them!  Could be someone trying to get into our account - be carefull.