By Shaffie A Mtambo
Barclays has issued an apology to its customers after a major IT glitch left hundreds of people unable to access their accounts. The disruption, which began on Friday, has caused widespread frustration, with many customers taking to social media to express their anger and disappointment.
The bank has warned that some customers may see an outdated balance, and payments made or received may not show. The company’s status check website listed the Barclays and Barclaycard apps, online banking and services, cards, payments and transfers, branches, and telephone banking as areas affected by the IT glitch.
Barclays has assured customers that its ATMs are unaffected and that no one will be left out of pocket. However, the bank’s handling of complaints has been criticized, with some customers expressing outrage at being advised to contact food banks.
One customer, who was unable to buy milk for her baby due to the glitch, said, “My four-month-old is out of milk powder and screaming for a feed, and I still haven’t been paid.” Another customer, who was unable to access her funds, said, “I’ve been in tears for hours.”
The bank has promised to keep its call centers open for longer this weekend and to proactively contact vulnerable customers to offer dedicated help and support. HMRC has also stated that it is working closely with Barclays to minimize any impact on those submitting their self-assessments.
The IT glitch has caused significant disruption, with many customers left without access to their funds. Barclays has apologized for the inconvenience and has assured customers that it is working to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.
