Source : Perth Now news
Payment services have resumed across Australia after a disruption on Saturday afternoon left some customers unable to complete purchases at major retailers.
Reports spread during the afternoon as shoppers said card transactions and digital wallet payments were failing during a global MasterCard outage triggered by a “system update”.
Customers described problems with bank cards as well as mobile wallet purchases, including Apple Pay and Android Pay, when linked to MasterCard.
Businesses in parts of Sydney and Brisbane reported confusion at check-outs as some transactions went through while others were declined. At one point, retailers were asking customers to try another card, use cash or return later.
During the outage, the owner of Chargrill Charlie’s Ron Shaked in Sydney said they “had to turn customers away”.
Frenchmans Rd Pharmacy also said the issue was inconsistent, with some cards working normally while others failed.
A Brisbane woman said she was left embarrassed when her payment was declined at a Bowen Hills cafe despite having funds in her account.
“I checked the accounts and the money was there but every attempt was declined,” she told NewsWire.
“I never have cash but luckily for once I did or I would’ve had to leave.
“It was embarrassing enough as it was – I know the money was there but you still feel like a bit of a fraud when it fails.”
In a statement to NewsWire, a MasterCard spokesperson said a “scheduled system update” caused MasterCard transactions to be declined for a period of time.
“The situation has been resolved and all systems are working as normal,” the spokesperson said
