What Do I Do If My Barclays Account Is Locked?
If your Barclays account has been locked, you probably want to get it unlocked as quickly as possible. There are a few reasons why Barclays might lock your account. If it was locked because you didn't respond properly to security procedures, it's relatively easy to unlock. If Barclays locked it because of suspected fraud, there's little you can do but wait.
If Barclays' has locked your account and you cannot access your money, you are probably very concerned and want to know what you can do about it. There are a few different reasons why Barclays may lock your account. Some of them, you can do something about.
Reasons Why Barclays Might Lock Your Account
One of the most common reasons why Barclay's might lock your account is that you made a mistake with your PIN. Say you were trying to access your cash through an ATM or making a purchase with your card and you entered the wrong PIN three times in a row. Barclays will lock your account even if each attempt was at a different location. Barclays might also lock your account if you answer too many security questions wrong when prompted to answer them. Finally, Barclays might also lock your account if one or more transactions appears to be fraudulent for some reason.
How to Unlock Your Account if You Entered the Wrong PIN
If you accidentally locked it yourself because you repeatedly entered the wrong PIN, follow these instructions:
- Log into your Barclays online account.
- Select Your Details.
- Select View Your PIN Securely.
- Once you know what the correct PIN is, go back to an ATM and enter the correct PIN. This will automatically unlock your account.
- If this is impossible for some reason, go to a Barclays location in person with a valid ID. Talk to a customer service representative. Once you prove your identity, they will unlock the account for you.
How to Unlock Your Account If You Answered the Security Questions Wrong
Your only option, in this case, is to go to a Barclays location in person with a valid ID and talk to a customer service representative. Once you prove your identity they will unlock your account, and you can change the security questions.
If Barclays Suspects Fraud
If Barclays suspects a fraudulent transaction, it will lock your account to investigate. In this case, there is really nothing you can do about it. The bank will lock you out of your account until it finishes its investigation, and this could take up to 31 days. Barclays cannot legally tell you anything about the investigation, so there is little point in asking. However, if the bank contacts you with questions, it's best to do everything you can to help, as it may speed up the investigation and get your account unlocked sooner.
Contacting Barclays
To contact a Barclays customer service agent, you can call or use the help forum.
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