They really do. Just trust me on that. I've used my card 3 times in the last 6 months (what can I say, I have a beyond phobic aversion to debt) and each time they've required me to call to clear payment.

I wouldn't mind so much, but for the fact that the 3 times I used it I was buying tickets from the same damn place each time. Apparently that's very much like "fraudulent activity."

In addition, across the 3 transactions I've spoken to maybe 10 people, and spent maybe 90mins on the phone for a card I rarely use. I mean come on Barclaycard, you really do blow.