Thousands of people in the UK were charged twice for debit card payments due to a glitch with Cardnet terminals, a joint venture between Lloyds Bank and First Data. The error occurred on part of 29 August, affecting just under 5% of Cardnet machine transactions, according to Lloyds Banking Group. All affected customers have been refunded.
The duplicate charges appeared on bank accounts but only showed once on many shop, pub and restaurant receipts. Most affected transactions involved Visa debit cards. Customers are advised to check their statements and contact their bank if they notice any discrepancies.
Simon Alton, 39, discovered he had paid twice for a meal at Côte Brasserie in Shrewsbury, Shropshire. He said: “It’s a reminder to check your statement, it’s an unexpected thing to happen.” David Stewart, 61, from Edinburgh, was charged £1,060 twice when paying a hotel for his daughter’s wedding. He received his refund and suggested compensation as a goodwill gesture.
Other customers reported similar issues on social media, including at Oblix restaurant in The Shard, London, and Solita NQ in Manchester. Businesses affected, such as Brunning Host Pubs and The Nab's Head, stated that duplicate payments would be refunded as soon as possible.
Cardnet handles over 1.2 billion transactions annually. Lloyds Banking Group has confirmed that the issue has been resolved and all refunds processed.
