Whole Yorkshire Bank System went down yesterday!!

Fergie42

I was shopping with my daughter yesterday and went to pay for some clothes and my card was declined. I was really worried that my bank had been cleared out so I ran to the cash machine but could get cash out on the same card and my balance was OK.
I went back to the shop and paid for my goods and assumed it was their system. I went to get some more cash as I didn't trust my card until I had spoken to the bank but now I couldn't get cash either!!
I dashed home and waited 25 minutes for my call to be answered but it wasn't. I then rang back later and a recorded message stated that 'we are sorry but our debit card system is unuseable please use alternative methods of payment.' It did say the ATM's were working but they weren't.
As it happens it didn't affect me too much and they are back up this morning but what about others who may have been in restaurants/abroad etc. and had no alternative method of payment.
Did it affect anyone else?

david39

That explains why a purchase from Amazon that I tried to make yesterday afternoon was declined.

The entry on my on-line statement this morning shows a debit authorisation and a credit back for the same amount.

Amazon ay they are trying again, so hopefully the problem is fixed by now, as I can access the account online.

Fergie42

Yes my attempts to use the card shows a debit and credit back too.
Very strange stuff. Glad it wasn't too much of a problem for you too as I bet some people were really stuck.

smokey112

Clydesdale bank still down - I had 1 transaction declined 3 times (I tried twice and my hubby once) in store yesterday and couldn't take money out ATM - ended up paying for it by cash and credit card

Checked bank account this morning and all three transactions taken from account but one refunded. Called Telephone banking - most helpful...not - transactions may be refunded today but if it posts as cleared I will need to raise a Maestro dispute - !!!!!!.

So I have a DD due to come off on Wed - what it there is not enough money in my account because I am waiting for money to go back in !!

Fergie42

That's ridiculous. I hope it get's sorted for you. I don't understand really how they could be taking the debits from us when the cards are declined anyway!
Good luck and let us know how you get on x

david39

I don't understand really how they could be taking the debits from us when the cards are declined anyway!

I agree! The system must have been working up to a point, otherwise the shop / merchant would not have been able to ask for authorisation and have it posted to the account - as it did register on the bank account.

That must have been the point where the problem arose - the system would not notify the shop (or ATM) that all was well and that it was OK to release the goods or the money.

It must have been chaos at the supermarket checkouts here in Yorkshire - almost every wallet contains a YB card!

Fergie42

Yes one poor lady in my local Tesco Express was mortified that her card was declined. It's a very embarrassing thing to happen. I told her and the checkout people what was happening so that she didn't worry like I had that her bank account had somehow been cleared out.

SuperHan

The OH had a customer at work who refused to believe their card was being declined. He rang his card merchant services line and was told that the entire Yorkshire Bank system was down, so no card payments could be processed!

Fergie42

At least your OH was helpful and tried to sort it out. The customer could have been like the rest of us who tried 2 and 3 times and had the money taken out. Complete shambles as there wasn't even a message on their website about it.

skevy

Tried to order items yesterday online and update my bus card but payment was refused.
Tried contacting the online banking only to listen to an online message saying having issues.
Visited a branch today and they said that the system did go down over the weekend (Friday I knew about) but it was all up and working again, well its not.
Tried websites today to order items again refused.
Been with them for almost 20 years had nothing but issues since the implementations of the Mastercards so off tomorrow to investigate anew bank, anyone have any ideas??:sad::sad:

Fergie42

Mine was definitely back up yesterday but I was still a bit wary of using my card. Anyway, it went through OK. I think all banks are about as bad as each other. My only issue usually with YB is the lack of opening on a Saturday and the time it takes the cheques to clear.