There were problems paying with certain credit or debit cards in many places in Hesse on Thursday. It was only after many hours that the all-clear was given: the problem had been resolved.
Credit card is swiped through a card reader Image © dpa
There have been disruptions to card payments across the country since early Thursday morning. Many people in Hesse were also affected. Due to a technical problem at an international IT service provider, many credit, debit and giro cards across the country did not work until late afternoon.
In some cases, it was also difficult to withdraw cash from ATMs using debit and credit cards. The cards sometimes did not work abroad either. The problems were not limited to individual banks.
Audio contribution
Audio 00:55 min.|12.09.24|Caroline von Eichhorn
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At around 4 p.m., the German banking industry finally gave the all-clear. The problems had been resolved, they said. “Payments at cash registers in retail stores are possible again as usual with all cards.”
Technical problems with IT service providers
The reason for the restrictions were problems at an international IT service provider that also processes credit and debit card payments for many German banks and savings banks. This was First Data, a company owned by the US group Fiserv, a company spokesperson said when asked.
There was a technical problem with some processing services. The banking industry ruled out a hacker attack early on.
Broadcast: hr-iNFO, 12.09.24, 12:00
Published on 12.09.24 at 10:15
