SLV^GLD
27th November 2010, 05:48 AM
NAB pay bungle hits thousands
Karen Collier (collierk@heraldsun.com.au)
From: Herald Sun (http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/)
November 26, 2010 9:49PM
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/national/nab-computer-glitch-hits-wage-centrelink-payments/story-e6frf7l6-1225961012671
Tens of thousands of anxious people could still be without cash for the weekend because of backlogs from the shambles.
The IT nightmare left some families destitute, throwing grocery and Christmas shopping, birthday party plans and even holidays into chaos.
Desperate customers told the Herald Sun of having nothing or as little as 10c left in accounts, or plunging hundreds of dollars into overdraft.
One said she had kept her children home from school because she had no money to put fuel in the car.
The NAB's call centre has been in meltdown since a corrupt file disrupted Wednesday's overnight payment process.
The malfunction stalled salaries, Centrelink benefits, contract settlements and property deals, and slowed ATM and Eftpos transactions.
The problem spread to some customers from other banks and credit unions waiting on wages and other payments from employers, clients and banks that deal with NAB.
Upset consumers demanded compensation for any fees for late mortgage and credit card payments, overdrawn accounts or bounced direct debits charged by any institutions as a result.
Emergency $500 advances were yesterday issued to some customers suffering hardship.
NAB spokesman George Wright said the bank would try to ensure no one was financially disadvantaged through dishonour fees from any organisation.
He denied NAB would pocket extra interest from the debacle.
Wodonga mum Leonie Cox said she was forced to borrow $100 from her mother-in-law to pay for food and nappies.
"This is disgusting. We live from fortnightly to fortnightly pay," she said.
Mr Wright said most people had received missing money.
But he admitted up to 40,000 customers may be waiting until Monday.
Seaford disability pensioner Ann said she had only $20 left in her account after her payment did not arrive.
Karen Collier (collierk@heraldsun.com.au)
From: Herald Sun (http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/)
November 26, 2010 9:49PM
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/national/nab-computer-glitch-hits-wage-centrelink-payments/story-e6frf7l6-1225961012671
Tens of thousands of anxious people could still be without cash for the weekend because of backlogs from the shambles.
The IT nightmare left some families destitute, throwing grocery and Christmas shopping, birthday party plans and even holidays into chaos.
Desperate customers told the Herald Sun of having nothing or as little as 10c left in accounts, or plunging hundreds of dollars into overdraft.
One said she had kept her children home from school because she had no money to put fuel in the car.
The NAB's call centre has been in meltdown since a corrupt file disrupted Wednesday's overnight payment process.
The malfunction stalled salaries, Centrelink benefits, contract settlements and property deals, and slowed ATM and Eftpos transactions.
The problem spread to some customers from other banks and credit unions waiting on wages and other payments from employers, clients and banks that deal with NAB.
Upset consumers demanded compensation for any fees for late mortgage and credit card payments, overdrawn accounts or bounced direct debits charged by any institutions as a result.
Emergency $500 advances were yesterday issued to some customers suffering hardship.
NAB spokesman George Wright said the bank would try to ensure no one was financially disadvantaged through dishonour fees from any organisation.
He denied NAB would pocket extra interest from the debacle.
Wodonga mum Leonie Cox said she was forced to borrow $100 from her mother-in-law to pay for food and nappies.
"This is disgusting. We live from fortnightly to fortnightly pay," she said.
Mr Wright said most people had received missing money.
But he admitted up to 40,000 customers may be waiting until Monday.
Seaford disability pensioner Ann said she had only $20 left in her account after her payment did not arrive.