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A banking glitch that affected several ATM’s in Ireland allowed people to withdraw large sums from their accounts, despite having little or no funds available.
Long queues formed at cash machines across the country as people lined up for a chance to stick it to the banks.
The Bank of Ireland quickly realised something was afoot when there was increased activity at several of their ATM’s and police were dispatched to the cash machines to stop people from exploiting what likely became an expensive glitch for the bank.
Some customers were allowed to transfer up to €1,000 (R20 000) from their accounts, despite not having nearly that much bank.
The bank has apologised for the outage, but also warned customers that any money withdrawn over normal limits would be “applied to their accounts.”
“We are aware that the technical issue meant some customers were able to withdraw or transfer funds above their normal limits. These transfers and withdrawals will be applied to customers’ accounts today. We urge any customer who may find themselves in financial difficulty due to overdrawing on their account to contact us,” it said in a statement.
After the chaos, the bank said the issues had been resolved. Several pictures and videos surfaced on social media showing huge queues outside ATMs across the country.
#BankOfIreland right now on O Connell Street, the world has gone mad
pic.twitter.com/LOkT3LvGcy
— Denise Ross (@iDeniseRoss) August 15, 2023
Bank error in your favour. Collect thousands of dollars
Scenes across Ireland tonight as a glitch at the ‘Bank of Ireland’ meant people were able to withdraw €1000s even if they have nothing in their account. Cops are now guarding machines. pic.twitter.com/mWv38AsVRU— The opinionated Black woman ~ Aunty (@Theblackfemini3) August 16, 2023
Even though it seemed like ‘money for nothing’, several of the people cashing in will be sorry when the banks come for them. Banks never forget…
