Ray gets help controlling his gambling....

PERSONAL/CUSTOMER

To protect the privacy of our customers, we have used photographs of actors and fictitious names, but they are based on real situations.

Ray's story

When Ray first started betting, his gambling was enjoyable and he felt the winning streak would last forever.

But after a few big wins, his luck ran out. He started chasing winners and increasing his bets to cover what he’d lost. He started to lose interest in spending time with his friends and family, and even took days off work so he could gamble more.

When Ray started missing bill payments and incurring fees, there was less money for his family each month. This started to place even more of a strain on Ray’s home life and he felt guilty about the impact his gambling was having.

Realising something had to change, Ray got in touch with a local gambling addiction charity for help. Part of their advice was to find out what tools and support Ray’s bank may be able to offer.

How Barclaycard helped

When he rang us, Ray got through to one of our support team, Alison.

  • Alison gave Ray time to explain things in his own words and wasn’t judgemental or demanding, as Ray had feared
  • Together they created a repayment plan that Ray could afford, and put a longer term plan in place for when he was in a better place. Alison explained what information she needed for this, as well as how it would affect Ray’s credit score and what could be done to help
  • As Ray had an Amazon Barclaycard, Alison explained that he could also manage some parts of his account in Barclays Online Banking
  • This meant Ray could use the app or Online Banking to make debit card payments, change his payment due date and, when he could afford to, set up a Direct Debit

Ray knew he had to make the call, but he was worried about the consequences of having to tell Barclaycard about his gambling problem. But after speaking to Alison, he was relieved and felt able to focus on recovering from his addiction.

How close are you to a Debt Problem?

If you're worried that you need help with your finances then you can try StepChange Debt Charity's 60-second debt test . By answering a few simple questions they'll be able to tell you if you need debt advice.

Does your story sound like Ray's?

When you feel powerless to stop, the financial consequences of an addiction can be devastating.  You don't have to handle this alone. Get in touch with us as soon as you can and let us know what's going on.

You're not alone - we're here to help

We know your debts aren't going to disappear on their own, but we really can help. If you get in touch, we'll ask you about your income and outgoings so you can feel confident you're only repaying what you can really afford. And your priority payments – Council Tax, rent/mortgage repayments and household bills – will always come first.

It's probably the last thing you want to do, but giving us a call won’t make anything worse. We won't spring any surprises on you; our advisers are here to listen, understand and agree a solution with you – not demand payments you can’t afford.

You can rest assured, we’ll ask your permission before we do anything and check how you feel about your other finances.

We'll try to provide you with help that’s clear, practical and easy to understand. Also, we'll advise you where to find free and independent help.

Get in touch to find out how we can help

As soon as you think you might be facing financial difficulties, give us a call. It could make things much easier.

Before you pick up the phone, it’s a good idea to jot down some notes about your income and spending. And set some time aside – we’ll want to understand your situation in detail, so you might be talking for a while.

Talk to us on the phone

Calls to 0800 numbers are free from UK landlines. Mobile charges may vary. Find out more about call charges.

Worried you’ll miss a payment?

Call us on 0800 056 1411. Lines are open Monday to Friday 8am to 9pm, Saturday and Sunday 9am to 9pm.

Missed a payment and want to catch up?

If you’ve missed a payment on your Barclaycard, you might be able to pay it using the Barclaycard app.

Alternatively, call us on 0800 161 5205. Lines are open Monday to Friday 8am to 9pm, Saturday 9am to 9pm

You can also use the Barclaycard app

Send us a message from the 'Help' section of the Barclaycard app. It's secure and you don’t have to wait for our reply, just log back in when you’re ready to see if we've replied.

You need to be 18 or over to use the app. T&Cs apply.

Call us on 0800 151 0157 if you're worried about missing payments. Lines are open Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm, and Saturday and Sunday 8am to 6pm.

Missed a payment and want to catch up?

If you’ve missed a payment on your Barclaycard, you might be able to pay it using the Barclaycard app.

Other ways you can get help

If you're struggling with a few different debts or money worries in general, there are organisations that may be able to help:

GamCare

GamCare is the leading national provider of free information, advice and support for anyone affected by problem gambling.

National Debtline

Offers free independent support for advice on how to deal with your debts, including live online webchat with a National Debtline advisor.

MoneyHelper

Provides a range of free and impartial money advice over the phone and online, including tools and calculators to help you manage your finances.

Are you struggling with addiction?

An estimated 2 million people in the UK have an addiction – you're not alone.

Get help at NHS LiveWell or call: 111

The line is free and always open.

Feel like there's no-one to turn to

You can talk to The Samaritans anytime you like, in your own way, and off the record.

Get the Barclaycard app

Check your balance and recent transactions, pay your bill and much more - our app is safe, secure and free to download.

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