SINGAPORE - DBS Internet banking users who relied on their security token to log in to online services were unable to carry out transactions on Tuesday (Dec 22) morning when the system went down.

The downtime lasted about three hours, starting at about 9.30am and affected all transactions which required users to log in with a one-time password (OTP) generated from their DBS security token.

These included transferring funds, checking account balances and payment of bills.

In a statement on their Facebook page at 10.40am , DBS said that users could have used a SMS OTP - in which a password is sent to the user's mobile phone - to carry out their transactions instead.

The Straits Times understands that the downtime was due to a system issue.

A DBS spokesman said: "Some customers may have experienced difficulties accessing DBS/POSB iBanking services via their iB Secure Device/Token this morning."

"They were advised to use SMS OTP to conduct their transactions instead. We took immediate steps to rectify the situation and to minimise service disruptions. All services were fully restored by 12:40pm."

However, some users said on DBS's Facebook page that, as of 4pm on Tuesday, they could still not access online services using the security token.