ASB payment disruption resolved after customers’ cards declined despite funds
Shoppers were forced to abandon purchases and fast-food drive-thrus backed up after a technical issue caused widespread ASB card payment problems this evening.
Scores of customers took to social media about 8pm saying they were unable to pay for food and fuel, while others reported problems with payment terminals.
One Herald reader said about 20 customers at Costco in Auckland’s Westgate had to leave after experiencing payment difficulties.
“Dear ASB Bank. Please sort yourselves lol. Systems crashed and now people are leaving their groceries behind at the supermarket,” one person posted to Facebook.
McDonald’s drive-thrus in Auckland were also understood to be backed up amid the payment disruption.
One person described the situation as “super embarrassing”.
Some customers reported receiving a “system limit declined” message, while others said online transfers were still working.
One Auckland customer said they were “scrummaging our car for loose coins”, while another had to borrow money from their 9-year-old child to pay for dinner.
“Imagine turning around and asking your 9yo for his spending money,” they wrote.
ASB initially said the issue was affecting its EFTPOS, Visa Debit and credit cards, with some transactions being declined. Its ATMs were also affected.
The bank later confirmed card payments and ATMs were back up and running after a technical issue caused some payments to be declined in error.
“We thank customers for their patience, and apologise for the concern and inconvenience caused,” an ASB spokesperson said.