Barclays has reassured customers that they will be fully compensated after a significant technical glitch left thousands unable to complete transactions over the weekend. The outage, which began on Friday, coincided with key financial deadlines, leading to widespread frustration.
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The banking giant has committed to reimbursing any customer who faced late fees or other financial losses due to the disruption. Affected individuals are encouraged to reach out directly to Barclays to discuss compensation claims.
System Failure Hits During Critical Tax Deadline and Payday
The timing of the glitch couldn’t have been worse for many customers. Friday marked the final deadline for online self-assessment tax returns, with those missing the cutoff facing a potential £100 penalty from HMRC. Recognizing the severity of the issue, HMRC has confirmed that it is working closely with Barclays to support affected taxpayers and mitigate any financial consequences.
Adding to the frustration, the system failure coincided with payday for many workers across the UK. Some customers saw their wages temporarily disappear from their accounts, leading to overdraft concerns and difficulty making essential payments.
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Barclays Encourages Customers to Report Additional Costs
In light of the disruption, Barclays is urging customers who incurred fees, missed payments, or experienced financial difficulties to contact them directly. The bank has provided several options for affected users to seek support:
- Phone support: Call Barclays at 0800 282 390 for immediate assistance.
- Written complaints: Send a letter to Freepost Barclays Customer Relations outlining any losses incurred.
- Online and app support: Use the Barclays app or online banking to report concerns and seek guidance.
To ensure a smooth claims process, Barclays recommends keeping detailed records, including the name of any customer service representative spoken to and the time of the conversation.
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Customers worried about the impact of delayed payments on their credit scores should maintain documentation of the issue. Barclays has stated that it will work to ensure no one suffers long-term financial damage due to the outage. If concerns persist, individuals can escalate complaints to the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS), which offers free support for unresolved banking issues.
Glitch Resolved – But Customers Demand Accountability
Barclays confirmed that the issue was fully resolved by Sunday morning, with all delayed transactions processed. Importantly, the bank assured customers that the outage was not the result of a cyberattack but rather a technical malfunction.
A Barclays spokesperson issued a statement, saying:
“We are very sorry for any disruption and will ensure that no impacted customer is left out of pocket. The technical issue impacting our customers on Friday and Saturday has been resolved, and delayed payments have been processed. Customers can now use our app, bank online, call us, use their cards, and withdraw cash.”
Frustrated Customers Take to Social Media
Despite Barclays’ reassurances, affected customers took to X (formerly Twitter) to voice their anger and frustration over the outage.
One user expressed their concerns over missing the HMRC deadline, stating:
“Can’t pay my tax bill – what a day to have system issues.”
Another user detailed their financial distress:
“#Barclays online systems in utter chaos. My January wages were paid in, then disappeared… after I paid off some bills, so potentially now over my overdraft… that’ll be fun fighting that! I am SO glad I paid my tax bill on Wednesday and I sympathize with anyone paying it today.”
What to Do If You’re Still Experiencing Issues
Although Barclays has confirmed that the problem is resolved, some customers may still experience lingering issues with their accounts. Here’s what you should do if you’re affected:
- Check your transactions: Review your account for any missing payments or unexpected charges.
- Contact Barclays: If you notice any discrepancies, reach out to Barclays immediately via phone, app, or written complaint.
- Monitor your credit score: If you suspect a missed payment due to the glitch, check your credit report and notify Barclays to correct any errors.
- Seek help from the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS): If Barclays does not resolve your complaint satisfactorily, escalate it to the FOS, which offers free dispute resolution services.
Final Thoughts: Barclays Must Rebuild Trust
This incident highlights the increasing reliance on digital banking and the chaos that can ensue when systems fail. While Barclays has taken steps to resolve the issue and compensate customers, many users remain frustrated by the inconvenience and financial stress caused.
With trust in banks being more critical than ever, Barclays will need to ensure stronger safeguards are in place to prevent such disruptions in the future. Until then, affected customers should take proactive steps to secure their compensation and protect their financial health.
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