The same report indicates that the massive software error was due to a Y2K-like glitch which rendered German ATM software unable to recognize the passage into the year 2010. Thus, German ATMs have been either rejecting or else swallowing valid credit and debit cards, falsely assuming them to be expired and thus effectively rendering them useless and cutting off consumers’ access to their funds.
According to the DSGV source quoted by Deutsche Welle, the error affected around 20 million of the 45 million EC (Euro-Cheque) debit cards currently in use in Germany, as well as about 3.5 million of the 8 million chip and PIN credit cards in use.
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