Shops across the UK were forced to turn away customers yesterday (12 September) when they were left unable to accept card payments due to an outage at Cardnet card payment service, which is operated by Lloyds Bank.
Retailers using PayPoint were impacted after the firm recently extended its partnership with Lloyds, making Cardnet the main card acquiring partner across the group’s network.
Hordes of frustrated retailers contacted PayPoint to complain about the problem, which started early yesterday morning and wasn’t resolved until after 2pm.
Anne Lynne of The Corner Shop in Rhynie, Aberdeenshire, fumed: “This is awful… I’ve had to refuse customers all morning since I opened at 6:30. Ridiculous!”
Gordon Scobie of Leswalt Village Store, Stranraer, Dumfries and Galloway, vented: “Over seven hours with no ability to take card payments is a joke in this day and age.”
Kevin Ireland of Gibby’s Convenience in Lanark said: “Card payments are normally half our takings in a day,” adding that he had been losing customers since 6am.
PayPoint apologised for the disruption and advised retailers looking to complain or claim compensation to contact Lloyds Cardnet directly at cardnet_complaints@lloydsbanking.com or by phoning 01268 567 100 (Open 8am to 9pm Monday to Saturday).
