Customers unable to make or receive payments following IT issues at three UK high street banks Barclays, Lloyds and Halifax have been asking if they are entitled to compensation.
An IT glitch on Friday left Barclays bank users unable to access their accounts on the final day of January, which was the first payday since Christmas for many.
It also coincided with the HMRC’s deadline for self-assessment, the day when tax bills and returns for the financial year April 2023 to April 2024 were due.
HMRC has already said it will not fine taxpayers whose payments were late because they could not log into their banking app or access internet banking.
On Monday morning, Lloyds Bank and Halifax customers found they could not make or receive payments on the first working day of the month.
Barclays sought to reassure its customers that if they lost money, they should contact the bank first.
A Barclays spokesperson said: “We’re incredibly sorry for the ongoing technical issues that are impacting our customers’ accounts. Some may see an outdated balance, and payments made or received may not show. We’re working hard to fix this issue, and customers should not try to make the payment again.
“Customers can use their cards and withdraw cash, and as soon as these remaining issues are resolved, we’ll let our customers know. We will ensure that no impacted customer is left out of pocket.”
Halifax and Lloyds customers are also told to contact their bank directly to request compensation. They can do so via phone, the bank’s online live chat service, or by visiting a branch.
If you are not happy with the compensation offer, then your next step is to contact the Financial Ombudsman Service.
You should start by visiting the FoS website. You can also call the free FoS helpline on 0800 023 4567 for individuals or 0800 032 8000 if you are a business, charity, or trust.
The helpline is open Monday through Friday, 8am to 5pm. The ombudsman looks at each case individually, so it cannot guarantee a timeframe, but it aims to deal with initial enquiries or requests within two weeks.
