"Random" call from Barclays

I received a call from Barclays yesterday inquiring about my recent multiple credit card applications. I did my second AOR more than a couple of weeks ago - 6 cards, all approved - and this is just my 2nd card (Arrival World MC). My first one was the 40K US Airways card that I applied for in December.

It's odd because they called me at work and asked how I pay for my credit cards. They also asked a bunch of the usual verification questions along with how much credit I use every month. The rep explained that they are just concerned about the possibility of fraud and they wanted to know whether I did indeed apply for multiple credit on the same day.

My questions are:

1. Is it typical of Barclays to do this or any other credit card company for that matter, and did anybody else receive a similar call after an AOR? I couldn't find an answer anywhere here other than calls made by applicants for reconsideration.

2. If this is routine and anybody else had a similar experience, does this affect the next AOR? I plan to do another one in 3 to 4 months and possibly apply for the Business US Airways card. Would it be advisable to skip a Barclays application at that time or am I just over-reacting to yesterday's call?

I logged in to my Barclays account and it seems to be okay so I'm not worried (yet) about them shutting me down for whatever reason. It's just an overall odd experience.

I applied for the Arrival on Sunday of this week online (instant approval) and the Ring two days later (had to call in for approval). I haven't received any calls inquiring about my apps. I would cool it on the AOR for Barclays, they seem to like to reduce CL when the think a risk might be involved. I also read on their forums that their system is not that up to date when it comes to logic, so multiple accounts in the same social could be seen as different customers.

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It is common for banks to monitor your credit going forward, after you open a card. Barclays is becoming more aggressive against churning and possible fraud, which leads to phone calls like this.

Thanks texasguy777, I'm not worried about reduced credit limit more than being shut down and not being able to do future churns but you're right, I'll probably skip Barclays until much later in the year.

I've never heard of them asking about OTHER bank's credit card apps in a phone call, let alone implying a concern over fraud. They do have a well deserved reputation for throwing credit temper tantrums on people who are approved for multiple new cards while holding theirs, and abruptly closing cards when they see new accounts during their monthly reviews. I view the call as less about fraud concerns and more about being a bit of a bully. They saw your app spree and called to let you know they don't like it, considering they just approved you for another card.

You were very polite. I have a $50k Amerprise World Elite card with them, and if they called and questioned me at work about one of my app sprees for other cards, I would have probably told them to pound sand and that they're disturbing me at work...the work I do to pay for my card charges.

I got a call from them at 8:30 am est this past Saturday. Haven't used my card in over a month until Friday afternoon. $20 charge went through, then tried to buy a $500 gc at CVS. Cashier was prompted to call and verify, and was still subsequently denied. Was denied again for smaller purchases later. The call the next morning was their automated fraud dept call asking if it was me that used the card. Haven't tried to use it since but the message said it was good to go.

I got rejected for a Barclays card, and the reason was given was because of all my other credit card applications and cards I was approved for. From my experiences, they are far more aggressive than the other companies. I have a lot of respect for them, while the fools from the other boys keep giving me card after card after card that I use for a few months and then abandon.

In my last AOR in Jan, Barclays denied me for "having sufficient credit with them" and wouldn't budge on reallocating credit lines. To add insult to injury, they pulled all 3 credit bureaus. I only have a US MC with 5k credit line which I am keeping as long as I get the 10k anniversary bonus and a BW MC with 2k credit line which I got a few years ago for Grand Slam hits. Both cards have been sock-drawered.

I was wondering if I should just cancel the BW card as I have no use for BW points with the demise of Grand Slam even though it's a no fee card?

I have my eye on that new Arrival card for the August AOR but don't want to get denied again for "sufficient credit". By contrast SPG AMEX gave me $13k credit line as did US Bank on both LifeMiles and Club Carlson so I have no issues with credit history or anything like that.

I would say Barclays is the hardest for AOR's. They seem to limit how many you have (not how much credit with them). They also will watch and if you opened others either give you THE call or close cards. They are just tough on churners!

Barclays is tough....just got rejected for the arrival card per too many inquiries. I guess they are onto us churners