RBS, Natwest and Ulster Bank DOWN: Customers fury as debit cards declining
BANKING customers with RBS, Natwest and Ulster Bank are having their cards declined while attempting to make purchases.
Banks working to fix issue as cards decline in unexplained problem
An RBS spokesman told Sky News: "We are aware that some customers are experiencing issues using their debit card.
"We are working on resolving this issue and apologise for any inconvenience".
It is currently believed problems have arisen with sterling transactions at point of sale, when using a merchant's card terminal.
Confused customers have been contacting the banks after cards were declined for no reason
We're aware of some issues with Debit Card payments and are working hard to fix them. Sorry and thanks for your patience.
— NatWest (@NatWest_Help) October 14, 2016
There are no indications of how many customers have been affected, but RBS and Natwest are facing a stream of enquiries on Twitter relating to the issue.
One user on Twitter said: “Well that’s my 2 year old sons birthday ruined that’s great of you…”,
While another asked: “Currently in Tampa and can’t use my card…time scale please!”.
Another Natwest customer Tweeted to say he was trying to get home from Vietnam and was unable to use his card.
Banks working to fix issue which means customers blocked from making purchases
@NatWest_Help jeez... I assume my local branch will be open late tonight to enable me to get money from my account? I need diesel, and cash!
— Andy (@andyangellracin) October 14, 2016
It's absolutely ridiculous. Hope you're going to rectify and compensate your customers
Laura Eastwood on Twitter pressed Natwest bank for a timescale stating "people are being left in difficult situations here".
Another wrote: "I've literally just raised one online, it's absolutely ridiculous. Hope you're going to rectify and compensate your customers."
Cashiers have been returning declining cards as Natwest and RBS experience problem
@NatWest_Help Any timescale with when this will be sorted? People being left in difficult situations here.
— Laura Eastwood (@sneakyduckling) October 14, 2016
This is not the first banking glitch to infuriate customers.
In January, Natwest and RBS customers reported debit cards being declined at the tills and pins blocked on News Year's Day.
In September 2015, customers could not withdraw cash or use their card in branches.
Before that in July people were locked out of their online bank accounts with RBS citing a cyber attack for the problem.
Then in June 2015, many were left without cash for a weekend after 600,000 transactions were delayed.
It is not yet clear how many customers could be affected, but RBS and NatWest are facing a stream of enquires from customers.
A spokesman from the bank said: “We are aware that some customers are experiencing issues using their debit card. We are working on resolving this issue and apologise for any inconvenience.”
Natwest also Tweeted to tell its customers it currently could not "give a time scale" on the issue.