IP: Y2K Glitch Hits Some Credit Cards

[David Farber <farber () cis upenn edu>]

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/f/AP-Y2K-Credit-Cards.html

Y2K Glitch Hits Some Credit Cards


By The Associated Press
NEW YORK (AP) -- Buyers beware: Your credit card might get charged more than
once because some merchants failed to update their computer software for the
Year 2000.

Visa and Mastercard said Friday they have checks in place to catch duplicate
charges, but they suggest that customers review their credit card statements
anyhow. A vast majority of transactions are going through without problems,
they added.

The problem is being caused by outdated IC Verify software from CyberCash,
which makes electronic transaction processing software. The company offered
free fixes last year, but some merchants didn't get them.

As a result, merchants using IC Verify are charging customers daily for the
same purchase. For example, a customer's credit card gets charged $400
Monday for a new color TV purchased that day. The card is again charged $400
on Tuesday, another $400 on Wednesday, and so on, until the software is
fixed.

About 100,000 merchants use IC Verify. CyberCash spokeswoman Sydney Rubin
said ``a significant number'' made the proper upgrades before the new year,
though CyberCash received a flood of calls late this week from merchants
still needing updates.

....