‘No internet’: ANZ, Woolworths eftpos hit by major outage

Banking services continue to be plagued by “instability” after a widespread outage left customers unable to access their money.

A bank outage that left customers unable to pay for everyday goods before the start of the holiday weekend has largely been resolved.

ANZ customers took to social media on Friday amid reports users were unable to access the bank’s online service since about midday.

Customers also reported being unable to reach the bank via their telephone line, with one person stating that “everyone is having problems”.

A spokesperson for the bank confirmed “most systems” were back online by about 5pm, including internet banking, ATMs, and the ANZ app.

“However, we are still experiencing some instability across our Visa Credit Card transaction services.” the spokesperson said.

“We recommend customers use Debit Card or Cash wherever accepted while our teams are continuing to work to resolve.”

The spokesperson said the widespread outage was caused by a software issue which impacted a number of our “core systems” from 1.37pm.

The issue resulted in multiple internal and customer facing programs to shutter, including branch services, debit, and credit car transactions.

Nicole Spaccavento said she was shopping when her card was unexpectedly declined, despite there being sufficient funds for the purchase.

“I tried to log in to the app and it wouldn’t load so I called my husband to see if he could, to no avail,” she said.

“Had to leave my shopping and go to the branch and was told all systems down nationwide.

“They were allowing $200 withdrawal through the ATM at the moment per customer – doesn’t help when my shopping total was over that.

ANZ customers have been unable to access their money. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Kelly Barnes

“Luckily, I managed to get $200 out of one account and another $200 out of another … Quite embarrassing when you are at the register.”

The outage stirred frustrations among users who labelled the outage on the eve of a long weekend “outrageous”.

Customers described being unable to gather “supplies” for the public holiday, with business account holders also impacted.

“ANZ down. I am locked out of my account. Cannot pay rent or payroll. Just went to the branch and they have closed it,” Ben O’Brien wrote.

“The young guy said they are all locked out of their own system and unknown when it will be up and running.”

Adam Preen also reported being “locked out” of his ANZ business account on workers’ payday and was unable to reach ANZ by phone.

“What am I supposed to tell people, sorry I can’t pay you today. The numbers given also say during normal working hours,” he said.

“It’s a public holiday on Monday so people can’t get paid till Tuesday. I’d drive into my local branch but they are only open till 1pm.

“They don’t have the sense to post something on their website – this is nothing short of appalling.”

Daniel Smith also reported issues with the bank’s telephone and online services, stating: “ANZ is down across the country it seems.

“Error messages for online banking or app, and call centres can’t take calls. Branches closed.”

Website DownDetector, which tracks app outages, reported receiving about 8000 reports about ANZ sometime after 11am.

At the same time, shoppers at Woolworths stores in the ACT, Victoria, and NSW reported being unable to access eftpos services.

~cash only at the local Woolies!😂😂 pic.twitter.com/PD7zwmI603

— Indy®🇦🇺🐘🌸 (@Indy24121) September 29, 2023

Seven News reported a national outage was impacting between 20-30 stores nationwide, with the cause still being investigated.

A Woolworths spokesperson told Seven that “an IT outage” was affecting eftpos in a “small number of stores”.

“Stores remained open with cash still being able to be used,” the spokesperson said.

“The cause has been identified and eftpos is being restored.

“We thank everyone for bearing with us this morning.”

On Twitter, one shopper shared a photo of a makeshift sign put up in the store informing patrons of the outage.

“We temporarily have no ‘efpos’ due to no internet,” the sign read.

“Cash only. Sorry for the convenience.”

Originally published as ‘No internet’: ANZ, Woolworths eftpos hit by major outage