Contributor ⭐

Barclays Bank with AARP benefit

Forum|Forum|1 year ago
June 25, 2025
19 replies
7791 views

I just opened a Barclays Savings account after an offer from AARP. I can't believe that AARP would be affiliated with a company like this. First it took almost 20 days to open a new account and in the interim, customer service was no help as to whether my application was in process. Then after it was active I sent on online question about how to set up alerts and 2-step authentication. The answer was to call customer service.

I called CS and there was so much background noise and a person with a difficult accent. I gave her my name (definitely a woman's name) and she kept calling me MR. It turns out that Barclays DOES NOT HAVE 2-step authentication. I was very surprised. And you cannot set any alerts. I don't know that I trust adding any more money to this account.

AARP - you need to reevaluate recommending this bank.

WebWiseWoman

Community Champion ⭐⭐⭐

I'm concerned for you; why with all the "red flags" you noted would you open an account with Barclay's? Just asking as I don't understand why someone who points out the obvious would continue and give them any money?

B

babrownAuthor

Contributor ⭐

All of the problems happened AFTER I had completed my application so it was too late. CS wouldn't stop the application. I never said I continued to give them money. If none of the issues are resolved in the next few months, I will be closing the account.

papawofboo

Community Champion ⭐

Say what, it took 20 days to open? You had to apply (customer service was no help as to whether my application was in process). Never have I heard of any of these things.

What kind of benefit did they offer? I may be wrong, but I don't think I have ever gotten a banking offer from AARP.

Papaw of Boo

B

babrownAuthor

Contributor ⭐

AARP had this ad in their magazine. I will get $200 after the account is open for a few months.

J

JohnR15582

Contributor ⭐⭐

Did you ever get your $200? I never received mine.

T

TobinN904015

Contributor ⭐

I applied for a savings account and got an email requiring me to submit a huge number of documents, directly copied here:

Legal documents: birth certificate, valid marriage license or civil union certificate, court ordered name change document & finalized divorce decree stating your legal name
Personal Identification documents: driver's license, state issued identification card, passport book photo page or passport card with photo, U.S. certificate of naturalization or citizenship & U.S. green card or permanent resident card
Proof of Address documents: recent bank statement showing your current address, voters registration cards showing your current address & recent utility bill showing your current address
Proof of Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification (ITIN): tax returns showing taxpayer's full social security number, social security card, individual taxpayer identification number ITIN approval and IRS CP565 notice, W-2 tax form showing taxpayer's full social security number, 1099 form from Social Security Administration, paystub containing full social security number, valid document from Social Security Administration containing full social security number & valid U.S. employment authorization document

Notice the "&" -- and even if it were just one of the above, what the ^%#$ does a divorce decree have to do with anything? Their application process required a photo of my driver's license, and they want me to send it again? I called to complain and was told it was their "standard process." BS. They were essentially accusing me of fraud. I cancelled my application.

M

Metisan99

Contributor ⭐

Barclays is terrible, everything you noted is still happening: weird ID requirements, CANNOT UNDERSTAND THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE PEOPLE!!!, arbitrarily locking the account after every depost, AARP this is a giant fail.

A

atprn

Contributor ⭐

Barclays is awful!

Tried Linking a second bank to this particular bank (Barclays) they immediately froze my account, rejecting online access. During a phone call, they stated the reason was that they need additional security information if I try to link a second account. They asked for Drivers license and a resent bank statement be emailed to them. That was a week ago. I called back yesterday (3/9/26) and they said they had not received my account yet, I said I wanted to close the account and they said I couldn't until my case was reviewed.

J

JamesB16148

Contributor ⭐

Barclays is awful. Slow. Customers service hardly speaks English. Holds onto deposits for 5 days. Stay away from ths bank.

J

JohnR15582

Contributor ⭐⭐

I am going thru a nightmare with Barclays on an account I set up 2 months ago. I have a real-estate closing this coming Friday. I am currently restricted from online access. Theyve been holding my deposit in for 5-business days, which should be complete tomorrow. Upon they would not allow an ACH out to an account that isn't in my name (the closing company). They won't do wires out either. This morning I attempted to transfer money back to the external account they're accepting money from. The transfer showed up in my transactions. I went back later to see if any movement had been made and that's when I found I was suspended from my account. All the posters are correct - customer service cannot or will not help at all. Upon requesting a supervisor, I was put on hold for a few minutes and then told me they were in an offset meeting and could she get a phone number to have them call me back - not holding my breath.

Right now they are holding a lot of money hostage, without reason.

Does anyone from AARP monitor this chat or is there anyone we can call/email to let them know the situation and see what help can offer.

SummerOnTheWay1

[Monday 5/11/26 7:58pm ET]

John @JohnR15582 , does the Real Estate Company you have your "closing" with know what is going on?

➡️[*** JOHN @JohnR15582 wrote:
I am going thru a nightmare with Barclays on an account I set up 2 months ago. I have a real-estate closing this coming Friday. I am currently restricted from online access. Theyve been holding my deposit in for 5-business days, which should be complete tomorrow. Upon they would not allow an ACH out to an account that isn't in my name (the closing company). They won't do wires out either. This morning I attempted to transfer money back to the external account they're accepting money from. The transfer showed up in my transactions. I went back later to see if any movement had been made and that's when I found I was suspended from my account. All the posters are correct - customer service cannot or will not help at all. Upon requesting a supervisor, I was put on hold for a few minutes and then told me they were in an offset meeting and could she get a phone number to have them call me back - not holding my breath.

Right now they are holding a lot of money hostage, without reason.

Does anyone from AARP monitor this chat or is there anyone we can call/email to let them know the situation and see what help can offer.

J

JohnR15582

Contributor ⭐⭐

Yes, I gave them a head's up last Friday, based on the timelines received from Barclays then. With those timelines - fees unlocked - 5 business days - that's tomorrow (they confirmed Tuesday) Time to verify an external account - 2 -3 business days - that would be Wednesday max. Time to transfer once verified - same day to 24 hours. Cutting it close, but still within my timeline. CS even recommended that I initiate transfer back to the external bank (there are enough funds in the account that the in and the out can cross lines)

There was no mention of locking me out of my account.