Problem with cards frustrates Barclays customers

Yesterday the group declined to say how many people were affected, but it is thought the number ran into thousands. It affected both Barclays debit card and Barclaycard credit card holders, and led to some customers having to abandon purchases at tills after their cards would not work.

The problem hit at around 2pm, one of the busiest shopping periods of the week, although it was resolved around 20 minutes later.

During the time that the system was frozen, customers were unable to use their cards to make purchases, withdraw cash at ATMs or use the group’s online banking facilities.

Barclays is investigating what caused the problem, thought to have been triggered by a power failure.