Barclays Outage Leaves Customers Frustrated and Struggling Over the Weekend

Barclays Outage Leaves Customers Frustrated and Struggling

Barclays customers faced a frustrating weekend as an IT glitch prevented them from accessing their accounts, causing disruption to online and mobile banking services. The outage began on Friday, payday for many in the UK, and continued into Sunday.

The bank's status check website listed numerous services affected, including the Barclaycard and Barclays apps, online banking, cards, payments and transfers, branches, and telephone banking. Customers were warned about outdated balances and potential delays in payments.

Barclays apologized for the inconvenience and assured customers that no one would be left out of pocket. They extended call center hours and promised to proactively contact vulnerable customers.

However, the bank's response to customer complaints on social media drew criticism. One customer, unable to access her money and feed her children, was advised to contact the Trussell Trust, a food bank charity. This response was deemed insensitive and unhelpful by many.

Barclays later clarified that the issue was not related to a cyber attack and confirmed its resolution on Sunday morning. Delayed payments were processed, and customers were advised to use their cards and withdraw cash as usual. However, some customers still experienced balance discrepancies and payment issues.

The outage caused significant disruption for many, leaving them unable to pay bills, withdraw cash, or purchase necessities. While the issue has been resolved, the incident highlights the potential impact of such technical glitches on people's daily lives and the need for better communication and support from financial institutions during such situations.