Dozens of senior citizens were sent home penniless when they tried to collect their pensions from a Southend post office.
Argosy Toys and Post Office, in London Road, has been unable to gain computer access to the central pensions office this week because its link, via a BT phone line, has been down for the last four days.
Many OAPs now withdraw their money with a card, rather than the old pension book, and this requires ratification of their identities via the phone link.
A member of Argosy's staff said: "Some people have got quite angry, but unfortunately there is nothing we can do."
Alan Abbott, 75, from the Southend District Pensioners' Campaign, said many senior citizens drew their pensions from Argosy.
National Post Office spokesman James Taylor said: "There have been some technical problems. We hope it will be fixed as soon as possible."
Published Friday August 20, 2004
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