Barclays explains debit card rules after customer's England flag request rejected

Barclays has explained some of the specific rules that apply when you are arranging a new debit card with the bank.

A frustrated customer contacted the group over social media as they had requested a picture on their debit card but it had been turned down by Barclays as "it isn't acceptable".

They shared the image they wanted to put on the card, which was an England flag with the St George's Cross. They expressed their dismay at the decision asking: "How can it break any guidelines?"

In response, Barclays said: "You can use flags as your chosen photo, however these need to be the original flag and not edited/cropped in any way. It also cannot include any text or artwork."

The bank also sent them a link to with more information about how to personalise your debit card.

Customers can use the 'card designer' feature to upload their own photo or choose from a gallery of images to give their card a personal touch.

The advice page warns that if you choose to upload your own photo, it must meet the guidelines or "we won't be able to use it to personalise your card".

The rules actually state that you cannot use images of flags, with some notable exceptions including the Union Jack/UK flag, the St George's Cross/English flag, the St Andrew's Cross/Scottish flag, the the Red Dragon/Welsh flag and the St Patrick's Saltire/Northern Ireland flag.

The guidelines explain: "If any of these are used, they can only be images of the original national flags and must not be edited, cropped, or have any additional artwork or writing on them."

You need to be the owner of the image or have permission from the image owner to use it on the card. If the image includes another person, you will need to have their consent to use the picture.

Your photo will be rejected if it features any of these elements:

• Alcohol, smoking or drugs
• Famous or public figures
• Weapons or firearms, unless in a ceremonial context
• Filters
• Money or currency

Your image will also be rejected if it has any of these features:

• Images, names or nicknames of celebrities, musicians, sportspeople, entertainers, public figures, actors, cartoon characters, royal family members or other famous people
• Political statements or images relating to ethnicity or religion
• Contact information such as telephone numbers, website addresses, Facebook, Twitter or other social media usernames, account numbers, addresses or email addresses
• Images, signs, symbols or text relating to money, currency, drugs, tobacco, alcohol, gangs, hatred, graffiti, betting, gambling or financial products and services
• Swear words or offensive language
• Any reference to the Olympic Games, World Cup or any other international branded event
• Reference to any bank, building society or monetary institution
• Slogans, taglines, branding, marketing or promotional products, services or images of companies
• Content where drinking, being drunk, smoking or gambling is the focus
• Sexual images or content
• Trademarks or company names, such as images marked with ™ signs
• Nudity
• Anything that might reflect poorly or engender hostility toward company brands, including Mastercard, Visa and Barclays
• Images or text protected by copyright, such as images marked with © or other watermarks or notations
• Offensive material such as images, signs, symbols or text relating to violence, death, injury, racism, cruelty, profanity, obscenity, weapons, firearms, ammunition or terrorism
• Anti-social or obscene behaviour or socially unacceptable groups.

Once you have arranged your new card with Barclays, it should arrive within seven working days. Your old card will continue working until your new one arrives.

The new card will include new details so you will need to update anywhere that you have these stored online for your payments.