A significant IT outage at Barclays Bank has left thousands of customers frustrated and locked out of their accounts for nearly 24 hours. The disruption occurred just as many British workers were expecting their January paychecks, coinciding with the deadline for self-assessment tax returns, putting customers under added stress as they suddenly found themselves unable to access funds or make payments.
According to reports, Barclays faced severe technical issues starting early on January 31, 2025. Customers quickly took to social media to express their anger and desperation. Many reported seeing outdated balances and missing payments, with some indicating they hadn't accessed their money for almost 24 hours. A mother highlighted her distress, stating, "My four-month-old has run out of milk powder and is crying for a feed, and I still haven’t been paid. I’ve been in tears for hours," showcasing the personal impact of the outage.
The bank issued multiple apologies, acknowledging the situation on social media platforms and assuring customers they were working tirelessly to resolve the issues. A Barclays spokesperson reassured customers with the statement, "We will make sure no impacted customer is left out of pocket," which raised questions about compensation, particularly for those facing penalties for late payments.
Outage tracker Down Detector showed over 5,000 reports of service issues as customers reported being unable to log onto their mobile banking app or access online banking services. The situation drew angry crowds outside Barclays branches, with many demanding answers and compensation. Customers who were unable to pay their tax bills due to the outage risked incurring hefty fines, potentially up to £100.
Experts from audit and tax advisory firm Blick Rothenberg warned of the financial repercussions arising from the outage. Andrew Sanford, a partner at the firm, stated, "The total compensation will be clearly dependent on the number of affected customers. Clients unable to pay their tax could incur daily interest rates of 7.25% on late payments, leading to substantial fees.” This comment underscored the broader economic impact the outage may have.
While Barclays managed to restore some functionality on its app by Saturday morning, reports of payment and balance issues persisted. Many customers remained skeptical of the bank’s ability to resolve the situation fully. One social media user expressed how the bank's failures have pushed them to seek alternatives. "This was the final straw for me. I am moving all my money to another bank," was the sentiment echoed by furious customers.
January is typically busy for banks, as many people receive their salaries and handle tax-related issues. The timing of Barclays' outage, particularly on payday and tax return deadline day, magnified customers' frustrations. Reports indicated many individuals were unable to make necessary payments during this period, leading to delays and uncertainties about their finances.
Customers voiced their concerns on X (formerly Twitter), drawing attention to the inadequacies of digital banking systems when confronted with such outages. One user lamented, "Due to you Barclays I’m left without money. I had a food shop due for delivery this morning which now will get cancelled, leaving my four kids with no food. It’s unacceptable!" Such statements illustrated the wide-reaching effects of the IT failure beyond bank balances.
Barclays has asserted they are committed to resolving these issues as quickly as possible and aiming to prevent future outages. "We’re incredibly sorry for the inconvenience caused. Our systems are currently under repair, and compensations will be considered as we review this situation," stated the spokesperson.
The UK tax agency, HMRC, has stated it is working closely with Barclays to mitigate issues arising from the outage for those submitting their self-assessments. An HMRC spokesperson said, "No late penalties will be issued until March 1st, allowing affected customers some breathing space," giving some hope to those struggling under the pressure of missed payments.
The anger and frustration from customers have spurred wider discussions about the reliability of banks, especially as society moves toward cashless transactions. Many social media users shared humorous yet poignant memes emphasizing the absurdity of relying solely on digital banking, especially during breakdowns of service when access to money is disrupted.
Despite the bank’s reassurances, questions linger on how many customers will genuinely be compensated and if those penalties previously feared will materialize. Customers are urged to contact Barclays directly if they incurred any financial penalties due to the outage, as the bank has indicated they will look at claims case by case.
On both social media and within bank branches, the mood remains tense, as customers demand clarity and prompt resolutions. With Barclays promising to communicate updates as soon as they have them, many Britons will be waiting with cautious hope to see their banking services fully restored. The events of the past couple of days serve as a reminder of how vulnerable our finances can be to technical failures, and the need for banks to prioritize customer care during unforeseen disruptions.