Visa card payment failure across Europe

[peterb]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-44335804

So it seems that a 'system failure' has stopped the processing of most Visa credit and debit card card payment across Europe and the UK. Causes are sketchy at the moment, so it could be a system/network failure - but sobering to see the impact of this sort of failure.

Mastercard (and Amex) are not affected.

Those that only use cash (mentioning no names ) will be feeling justifiably smug!

[ik9000]

luckily it went through when I had to pick my car up from the garage. Could have been awkward otherwise! But yes, a good argument agaisnt all the "we don't need cash anymore, cash is dead" tropes.

[Scryder]

So that's what happened. When I went to McDonalds last night to get my kid a happy meal, all the electronic machines were down. Luckily I had enough cash on hand. I'm glad my contactless transaction went through, as I'd not have been able to get home otherwise.

[ik9000]

seems to still be going on - or at least I can't make any online payments today. Good thing I got that bill paid yesterday...

[Adrian_K]

I find myself carrying less and less cash on me. Its been a problem a few times where I've wanted to catch a bus. Problems like this are worrying especially if we are moving to a cashless society.

[JaseRuss]

Yeah I had popped into the shops on the way home when this was going on, massive Q for the tills luckly I had my mastercard on me.

Can't wait to hear what caused the outage, I find that stuff facinating.

[Adrian_K]

Yeah I had popped into the shops on the way home when this was going on, massive Q for the tills luckly I had my mastercard on me.

Can't wait to hear what caused the outage, I find that stuff facinating.

That was actually a reason why i considered getting a Monzo card (They use MasterCard) vs my Visa Barclays account. Well, that and the exchange rates . I find it good to have two separate banks for well things like this...

[Apex]

Not sure if its just me and my memory but it feels to be that we are seeing more and more failings with the banks and this worrys the hell out of me, so much so that I am now reevaluating my fall back plans.

While it will take time, I will take the steps needed to make sure I have 3 months wages saved in both the main accounts I hold with the two different banks. I will close the two redundent visa credit cards I hold and order a card from someone that uses mastercard and isn't connected to the two banks I hold current accounts with; bit of a faff but should mean the risks are reduced greatly. Now the only outstanding question is debit cards, all the banks seem to use visa for the debit cards, is there any alternative?

[Guy]

Not sure if its just me and my memory but it feels to be that we are seeing more and moer failings with the banks and this worrys the hell out of me, so much so that I am now reevaluating my fall back plans; While it will take time i will take the steps needed to make sure i have 3 months wages saved in both the main accounts i hold with the two different banks. I will close the two redundent visa credit cards i hold and order a card from someone that uses mastercard and isn't connected to the two banks I hold current accounts with, bit of a faff but should mean the risks are reduced greatly; now the only outstanding question is debit cards, all the banks seem to use visa for the debit cards, is there any alternative?

Yes, a few of the 'challenger' banks issue debit MasterCard's. I can highly recommend Monzo. I also know Metro Bank also use MasterCard. No branches near you, but can all be done online.

[Guy]

Fairly well covered here. Amex, Visa and debit cards spread across Visa and MasterCard. Short of anything using JCB it's a good spread!

[DanceswithUnix]

bit of a faff but should mean the risks are reduced greatly; now the only outstanding question is debit cards, all the banks seem to use visa for the debit cards, is there any alternative?

I tried that once. Companies just buy each other up, merge, I found myself with all my eggs back in almost one basket.

[Apex]

I tried that once. Companies just buy each other up, merge, I found myself with all my eggs back in almost one basket.

Like any good continuity plan, you have to keep it updated. We are in the digital age, these distruptions seem to be growing with each passing year, anything i can do to minimise the risk is worth the effort.