Dear Responsible,

I am sending this letter to consumers, banks, support organization, banking industry organizations, government enforcement agencies, government monitoring organizations and government legislatures. Therefore you may find some of the information is not pertinent.

I recently was charged an effective interest rate in excess of 22% rather than the promised rate of 3.99% by Barclays Cards that is related in some corporate structure to Barclays Bank. I have tried to call Barclays to correct the issue many times. Each time I am referred to a different customer service agent who can do nothing. I have tried to escalate the issue to Barclays USA corporate headquarters but every number I have been given does not answer and the main corporate switchboard refers me to the same customer support individuals unless you know the name of an employee. Has Barclays made it difficult to correct issues?

I am being charged the excessive rate because I used a Barclays promotional check that said in large bold print “use this check before May 12” for 3.99% interest”. I used it before the 12th. They offered (see enclosed offering) me the options such as taking a vacation, paying my taxes, etc. with this check. Then on the back of the paper in very small type, they mentioned the check must clear by the 12th not just be used by the 12th. Many checks are used on one date and actually clear the bank a few days later. Barclays should say use by the 5th if they expect the check to clear by the 12th. Did they hope many customers would make the same mistake and use the check, not allowing time for the check to clear or post?

I notice many Banks and Credit Cards are offering attractive rates for balance transfer, special payments and loans. Governmental agencies have established many “truth in lending laws” to protect the customer. Should credit card companies and banks not be subject to the rules and regulations? Should they explain clearly in bold type, up front with the marketing hype, all the items that may catch the consumer and the potential cost? Is it not usury to alter the rate from 3.99% to over 22% for a loan that posts three days late?

According to statistics I have read 60% of the senior citizens cannot afford retirement and 40% of the citizens do not make enough money to pay taxes. Are these poor citizens who need financial help being SCAMED by offers of low interest rates that will turn to unreasonable rates?

I need your help. I cannot figure out how to contact Barclays, maybe you can. Or maybe you can warn others so they do not get trapped by high interest rates. Or maybe you can apply the “Truth in Lending” regulations to these special offers.

Thank you,

Wow, what a joke of a bank. Barclays Bank's customer service department is by far THE worst I have encountered. I am surprised Frontier Airlines has not moved on to a different bank to administer the frequent flier credit card offer. The customer service at the bank is the worst I have ever experienced.

If I did not love Frontier Airlines and want the mileage credit I would have dumped Barclays Bank long ago.

Seriously, I do not understand how a company (Barcays) can stay in business with the poor customer service, lack of follow through, incompetent employees, not well-trained employees on their own products (e. g. stating they don't offer a "Pay Pass" credit card through Frontier Airlines, when they do!!!!), weak supervisors, not calling back within 24 hours as they state a manager will do and managers not even aware of what the problem is.

This goes back to mid-May when I was sent a new credit card because I was "upgraded" to a better card. Two months later and nearly 30 phone calls and I don't have resolution and continue to get incompetent customer service employees who give me incorrect information and do not seem to care to fix the situation. Stay clear of getting one of these cards if you can help it. (I read the negative post by a person who "was roped" into one there at the Denver Airport.)

I am so disappointed in this product, Barclays Bank, any Barclays cards, especially the Frontier Airlines Barclays MasterCard, the incompetent call center they use in Manila, the uniformed bank customer service personnel in the U.S. who do not follow through and seem uninterested in helping, Frontier Airlines.

There are other better choices out there. Be aware - Mike