Cards fail again

Article by Antoinette Connell

EMBARRASSED SHOPPERS had to abandon purchases yesterday as bank cards were rejected at supermarkets and gas stations – the second weekend of such a failure.

At gas stations and supermarkets, some consumers had to draw up IOUs after their debit and credit cards failed.

The source of the problem remains unclear but attempts to swipe cards at point of sale terminals, after a lengthy wait, were met with “data” error.

At some automatic teller machines (ATMs) within the stores or gas stations, the transactions were declined.

Businessman Andrew Bynoe, who operates the Carlton and A1 supermarket brand, said the company was investigating the origin of the problem. He admitted that the constant system breaks affected shoppers and the business even though Sunday was not the store’s busiest day.