Today, millions of customers across Germany are experiencing widespread EC card payment disruptions. The Kartenzahlung Störung has impacted major retailers, supermarkets, and pharmacies, forcing shoppers to rely on cash transactions. As card payments have become the primary payment method for many, this disruption has caused significant inconvenience. In this article, we will dive into the details of the EC Kartenzahlung Störung, explain the cause, affected locations, and provide the latest updates on when the issue might be resolved.
Table of Contents
1. What Is the EC Kartenzahlung Störung?
The EC Kartenzahlung Störung refers to a large-scale card payment system disruption affecting EC (debit) cards and credit card payments across Germany. This disruption started on September 2024 and has since impacted numerous retail locations, including supermarkets, pharmacies, and smaller retailers.
The primary cause of the issue has been traced back to software failures in certain payment terminals produced by Verifone, a major manufacturer of payment processing systems. These terminals are widely used by retailers across Germany, which is why the issue has spread so widely (www.t-online.de) .
2. Affected Locations and Stores
Several major retail chains and stores are reporting payment disruptions due to the faulty payment terminals. Some of the most notable retailers include:
- Aldi
- Edeka
- Netto
- Rossmann
- Gas stations
- Pharmacies
As a result, customers are being forced to use cash-only transactions, with many retailers urging shoppers to be prepared for potential delays and inconveniences.
3. What Caused the Störung?
According to reports, the disruption was caused by a software issue within the Verifone H5000 payment terminals. These terminals are widely used for card payments, and the software glitch has rendered them inoperable for card transactions. The issue was first noticed in the early hours of the day, affecting businesses of all sizes across Germany.
Both Payone and Concardis, major payment service providers, have confirmed the issue, stating that the software glitch requires a critical update to fix the problem. They have advised retailers to avoid attempting any manual fixes and to keep their terminals connected to both power and network while awaiting the official update .
4. How Long Will the Disruption Last?
The exact timeline for resolving the EC Kartenzahlung Störung remains unclear. According to Payone and Concardis, the manufacturers are working hard to release the necessary software update, but it could take several hours or even a full day for all affected devices to be updated and fully functional.
Retailers have been advised to stay patient and rely on alternative payment methods, such as cash, during this time (www.t-online.de). Meanwhile, customers are urged to carry cash when visiting stores to avoid disruptions to their shopping plans.
5. Alternative Payment Methods and Tips for Shoppers
In light of the ongoing disruption, it’s important to be prepared for potential payment challenges. Here are some tips for navigating the EC card payment outage:
- Carry Cash: With many stores unable to process card payments, having cash on hand is essential.
- Use Alternative Payment Methods: Some stores may accept mobile payments such as Apple Pay or Google Pay, as these systems do not rely on the same payment terminals.
- Check Store Availability: Before heading to a store, consider calling ahead or checking online to confirm whether they are accepting card payments.
Additionally, several alternative payment systems that don’t require terminal hardware, such as QR code payments, may see increased usage during this disruption
6. Latest Updates
As of September 2024, the EC Kartenzahlung Störung is still ongoing, with no fixed timeline for resolution. Payone and Concardis have reassured retailers that the issue will be resolved as soon as the Verifone H5000 terminals receive their software updates.
For the latest live updates, customers and retailers can follow the official websites of payment service providers like Payone and Allestörungen, a website tracking live disruptions in Germany .
Conclusion
The EC Kartenzahlung Störung has caused significant disruption for shoppers and retailers across Germany, affecting both debit and credit card payments. While the issue is being worked on, it’s important to remain prepared by carrying cash and being aware of the potential for delays in stores. With major service providers working hard to resolve the issue, it’s expected that normal operations will resume soon. Stay tuned for live updates to know when card payments will be fully restored.
