Premium Bonds alert as basic technical issue blocks customers from buying Bonds

A saver got in touch with NS&I as the problem kept happening.

By Nicholas Dawson, Finance Reporter based in London, covering personal finance with a focus on the state pension and retirement planning.

A woman checks her bills

A Premium Bonds customer had an issue buying Bonds (Image: Getty)

Premium Bonds customers have been warned about a technical glitch blocking people from buying Bonds.

A customer contacted provider NS&I over X after coming across the problem on repeated occasions.

The bemused saver said: "I am struggling to buy Premium Bonds. I wish to do this by phone. I have twice contacted NS&I and both times the audio quality was bad - second time too bad to continue.

"I asked if I could be phoned back; the lady said it would be no better. A little help?"

NS&I responded to apologise for the problem and asked if they had tried calling on different devices.

But the customer responded to assure that they believed the issue was to do with NS&I's system.

They said: "I am technically savvy. And logical. Only when I phone NS&I is there any problem.

"I reported as such to your operative. Both times the same fault. Did you try the 'mystery shopper' approach before querying me?"

A man checks his bills

A Premium Bonds customer had an issue buying Bonds (Image: Getty)

NS&I replied to say they could not see any issues on their side. A representative said: "At the moment, there are no known issues with our phone line.

"Please direct message us detailing more about what happens when you call so we can look into this further for you."

The frustrated saver then asked if they could apply to buy more Bonds by post "without being blocked by lack of historic data that I do not have".

NS&I said they would be able to do this and directed them to a form on the group's website, to fill in to apply to purchase more Bonds.

A person has to buy at least £25 worth of Premium Bonds when buying Bonds, and you can hold up to £50,000 in Bonds.

Savers often arrange their account so when they win in the monthly prize draw, their winnings are used to purchase more Bonds, so increasing their chances of winning again.

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