Barclays Bank customers continue to grapple with the aftermath of a significant service outage that disrupted online and mobile banking services, leaving many unable to access their accounts or make payments. While Barclays announced the technical issue was resolved over the weekend, the fallout persists, with numerous customers reporting ongoing discrepancies in their account balances and missing payments. Social media platforms are awash with complaints from frustrated customers, some of whom are facing overdraft charges due to delayed or missing payments. The bank has acknowledged the lingering issues, stating that while the core problem has been fixed, updating account balances is taking longer than anticipated. Barclays assures customers that all payments will be processed normally and that no one will be left out of pocket due to the disruption.
The outage, which began on Friday, prevented thousands of customers from logging into the Barclays mobile banking app or accessing internet banking services. This left many unable to confirm salary payments, pay bills, or manage their finances effectively. The disruption continued over the weekend, fueling customer anxiety and frustration. While Barclays announced the resolution of the technical glitch on Sunday, the lingering impact on account balances and payment processing has prolonged the disruption for many customers. The bank’s call centers and branches remain open to assist customers, and Barclays has pledged to proactively contact vulnerable customers impacted by the outage.
Despite Barclays’ assurances, the volume of complaints on social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter) underscores the ongoing difficulties faced by customers. Individuals are reporting inaccurate account balances, missing payments, and difficulties accessing customer support through the bank’s online chat function. Some customers have expressed concern about potential late payment fees and negative impacts on their credit ratings due to the disruption. The prolonged nature of the issue, coupled with the inconvenience and financial uncertainty it has caused, has fueled customer dissatisfaction.
Barclays has addressed the issue of inaccurate overdraft displays, clarifying that the outage caused incorrect account information to be displayed. The bank has assured customers without overdraft facilities that they have not been placed into debt, despite what their online accounts might suggest. The bank is working to rectify the balance discrepancies and address any outstanding issues. While the exact timeframe for full restoration of accurate account information remains uncertain, Barclays maintains that all payments are now being processed normally, albeit with delays in online display.
Customers experiencing ongoing difficulties are encouraged to contact Barclays directly. The bank has provided a dedicated phone number for customer support. In addition to the bank’s official communication channels, resources like DownDetector, a website that tracks service outages, provide further confirmation of the widespread impact of the disruption. During the outage, DownDetector recorded over 5,000 reports of issues with Barclays’ online services, with the majority related to mobile and internet banking access.
The outage also led to a flurry of activity at ATMs across the UK, as some customers attempted to withdraw cash, mistakenly believing they could access “free” funds due to the system’s inability to update balances in real-time. The hashtag #BarclaysGlitch trended on social media as this phenomenon gained traction. However, Barclays has issued a warning clarifying that all withdrawals will be deducted from customer accounts, dispelling the notion of free cash. Those who attempted to exploit the glitch now face the prospect of unexpected overdrafts or depleted account balances. While there are currently no provisions for automatic compensation for bank service outages, customers who incur additional costs due to the disruption, such as late payment fees, are encouraged to contact the bank and seek reimbursement. For unresolved issues, customers can escalate their complaints to the Financial Ombudsman Service.
