Yahoo Finance Check your account: CommBank giving customers $50 for free
If you’re a Commonwealth Bank customer, you should check your account.
Following last week’s major outage, the big four bank has begun depositing $50 into the accounts of Australians who were paid late due to the crash. Around 100,000 Australians are expected to receive the $50 gesture, costing the bank around $5 million, a spokesperson told Yahoo Finance.
Related story: Major bank app glitch left customers making multiple payments
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“Commonwealth Bank has made a payment into the accounts of customers who were unable to access their funds over the weekend, due to the delay in payments,” the bank said in an online statement on Wednesday morning.
CommBank customers have reported receiving payments of $50 deposited into their accounts with the note “Sorry from CBA”.
lol did commbank really just send me $50 and a sorry because of last thursday’s outtage? pic.twitter.com/73U7rNv3zc
— s. (@pieceofcupcakes) October 22, 2019
Thankyou Commbank. I just discovered a bonus $50 in my account with s sorry from can attached pic.twitter.com/BYQnbDif2W
— Karina degen (@degen_karina) October 22, 2019
Last week’s outage affected internet banking, money transfers, ATM use and payroll, with customers complaining they were unable to access their pay, buy lunch and even settle home purchases.
“Following the outage impacting our systems in recent days, we have made significant progress in processing the outstanding payments,” CommBank said.
“We now believe funds should be in customer accounts. If customers have any issues or questions regarding their payments they should contact our call centre or visit us in branch so we can assist.
“We apologise to everyone who has been affected by the delay in payments and we are very sorry for the inconvenience it has caused.”
Customers have also been told to contact the bank’s call centre on 13 22 21 or visit a branch.
CommBank’s major outage leaves Australians fuming
The outage began at midday last Thursday, hitting around 15.9 million Australians who quickly took to social media to blast the bank.
Those who attempted to use the app saw an error message explaining the bank was suffering “technical difficulties”, with the bank suffering the outage throughout Thursday and into Friday.
The bank said the failure was due to an upgrade, but angry customers were left unimpressed by the explanation.
“Still haven't received my pay from last Thursday - I'm on a new diet [so] I can't afford food so you starve. Thanks for ruining my weekend back to work for another week. Why would I contact you? So you can say the above rubbish after an hour wait time,” one customer said.
Still haven't received my pay from last Thursday - I'm on a new diet a I can't afford food so you starve. Thanks for ruining my weekend back to work for another week. Why would I contact you? So you can say the above rubbish after an hour wait time. 🤬🤬🤬
— AshleighHoro (@AshleighHoro) October 20, 2019
“This is the worst case of customer service or lack of I've experienced in my entire life,” added another.
“Sorry isn't good enough and me complaining here like many others won't even matter. I’m a father of four and the main income earner and have been left helpless.”
How do I get the $50 from CommBank?
CommBank will automatically deposit the money into customers’ accounts. Customers approached over the phone or in email to provide account details should be wary, a spokesperson told Yahoo Finance, as the bank will not be contacting customers for these details.
“We wish to advise that we will not be contacting any customers to obtain their account details in order to process this payment. If a customer is approached for their account details they should not provide this and the customer should let us know by phoning our call centre or visiting us in branch,” CommBank said.
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