Eager islanders crash website as £100 payday arrives

Thursday 10 September 2020

So eager were thousands of islanders to spend their £100 cards as they arrived yesterday that the high volume of traffic took down the activation website.

The 105,000-plus cards have been issued to all men, women and children residing in Jersey as part of the Government’s £11m ‘Spend Local’ plan, which aims to get cash flowing around the island again in the wake of the pandemic.

Apart from bookmakers, the free money can be spent anywhere on the island. 

The first batch of the cards arrived on doorsteps and through letterboxes yesterday, with the rest due to follow today and tomorrow (Friday 11 September).

Many islanders took to social media to share their excitement at the cards’ arrival and ask for recommendations on forums such as ‘Jersey Ask, Advise, Advertise’.

Pictured: Islanders' took to social media for recommendations on how to spend the cash.

But such was the eagerness of islanders to make their cards ready for use that the web page for activating the cards has been struggling to keep up. 

Shortly after midday, the site fully crashed. 

“Due to a very high volume of customers activating their cards at the same time, the webpage was not available for around 10 minutes just after lunchtime today. The situation has now been resolved and islanders can again activate cards online,” a Government spokesperson explained yesterday.

However, some had continuing struggles, with one individual reporting on Twitter: “I have tried to activate the card online, it now says to contact customer support as I have exceeded the maximum number of attempts.” 

The Government urged islanders during the evening to “be patient and try again a little later.” 

We are experiencing a very high volume of customers trying to activate their cards. Please be patient and try again a little later. Thank you pic.twitter.com/kN8ZfVqlPk

— Government of Jersey (@GovJersey) September 9, 2020

Speaking as the cards were issued yesterday morning, Director General of Customer and Local Services Ian Burns said: “I am pleased that we have been able make it as easy as possible for Islanders by posting the cards to them directly and avoiding a need for an application process. We have used data from across Government to improve our address quality, however, given the number of people who move address every year, we know that there will still be some cards that may go to old addresses.” 

He continued: “We are asking Islanders to give Jersey Post a chance to deliver all the cards and wait until at least the 16 September before getting in touch. Anyone who hasn’t received their card by that date can contact Customer and Local Services on (01534) 444444 or tell us online at gov.je/spendlocal and we will check their details and reissue a card.  They will still have time to use their card until the end of October.” 

“I also want to reassure islanders not to worry if their name or address looks a bit different on the card – it will still be ok to use.  As with most bank cards, we had to shorten some names and addresses to fit – please accept our apologies in advance if it’s not quite right.  Your details with government are still correct.”    

“To activate the card and retrieve your PIN number, follow the instructions that come with the card.  Activation is done by calling freephone 0800 735 0044, or online at www.gov.je/SpendLocalActivate.  

“Relatives and neighbours are able to support with this, but Customer and Local Services are also here to help on (01534) 444444 - you can make an appointment for face-to-face activation help. Help is also available through the Parishes and the voluntary sector, for example EYECAN can help islanders with a visual impairment activate cards.”