Consumer complaint received 2015-04-15
Company: BARCLAYS BANK DELAWARE
State: CA
Product: Credit card
Issue: Other

Complaint:
While visiting the XXXX XXXX with a friend, we were approached by a man in a hotel uniform about getting a free breakfast and tickets to use on the XXXX XXXX in return for attending a short seminar about the hotel. The man, XXXX, gave us an application that asked if we had attended before, our income, and age. XXXX, told us to put an income of {$75000.00} so we would be eligible and that in the end it would costs us nothing. XXXX led us to their office and introduced us to XXXX and " XXXX '' ( his middle name ). The gave us breakfast in XXXX room, then showed us a video about travel, hotels, etc an a different room. XXXX then took us to her desk and gave us some papers to fill out with our names, date of birth, and asked to see our IDs again. This man XXXX came next and said all of this was very affordable to vacation with their company. We XXXX said we did n't have jobs. I told them I volunteer for XXXX. XXXX and XXXX came and went. XXXX wrote some numbers on a paper and I was lead to believe it was affordable. He said he would run a credit check to see if an ever lower price was available. XXXX came back and said yes and offered me a free 7 day vacation stay, as well as, extra travel points at no cost. A different came out with sparkling cider, took out photo, and saying things like, " Congratulations! '' I thought I had won something. My friend, XXXX, said he really wanted and needed a job ; I commented that I needed XXXX too, as I 'm only a volunteer and am on XXXX. They said they would hire him and took his information at this point. XXXX took us to another room with XXXX and a different young man. I told them XXXX I did n't understand completely. XXXX said it was simple and I asked how much it cost and she pointed to paper but did n't not explain it and did n't give me time to read the big pile of papers before me. She said things like you sign this because you are getting a resource guide, or initial here and it means you got the folder. 
XXXX and I mentioned many times that I did n't have a job and am a volunteer for the XXXX not a worker. They said it was so inexpensive and would put it on a credit card that I was approved for but I told them I did n't want to join if I could n't afford it or use a credit card that I knew I could not pay. I emphasized that I am XXXX, on limited income, and take medication but assured me I could pay it and enjoy an nice vacation. Upon my arrival, I spoke with my boyfriend XXXX who saw I was very upset and confused about what had occurred. XXXX also explained how XXXX misled us and how I kept saying I did n't have work or money either. XXXX looked at the papers and saw a credit card was opened in my name and charged the card over {$17000.00}. I did not authorize them to open a credit card account, only to check my credit. Now, I am fearful my credit will be affected because I ca n't afford any of this on my social security XXXX income. I feel that they took full advantage of my XXXX after telling them numerous times I was in financial hardship from dental bills. I feel my friend XXXX was taken advantage of too because he said he had just come to the XXXX within a month from the XXXX. I called the office shortly after and was told the office was closed until Friday night. They sent me with a big backpack of books and catalogs ; I told them I thought I just got a small vacation not a bunch of catalogs. They said it was so easy to call the toll-free number and the staff wished us congratulations, again and again. I also contacted the Barclay bank they opened the account in and was told I could not cancel until I received the credit card by mail. The Wyndham XXXX Company did n't take my proper full address when I noticed my apartment number missing and I do n't know if I 'll even get a card in the mail.

Company public response: Company chooses not to provide a public response
Company response to consumer: Closed with non-monetary relief