Some 500,000 customers of the Halifax's Internet bank, IF, are unable to access their account via the Web today following a problem with the service.

Customers have complained that they've been unable to access their accounts for the last five days.

When they contact IF's technical support they're told that the site is suffering "technical problems".

Said one customer: "We've been unable to access our accounts for several days now, and there is nothing resembling an explanation or an apology on their web site."

Unfortunately, IF was also less than helpful.

A spokeswoman for the online bank told The Register that the site experienced problems on Friday, was fine during the weekend, but then suffered further problems on Monday and Tuesday.

Today is Wednesday and a message on the site still reads: "You are currently unable to access your Intelligent Finance plan on the Internet. We apologise for any inconvenience caused."

Instead, it advises customers to call the bank's telephone banking service, although customers have also complained that this is easier said than done.

A spokeswoman for the bank said: "We hope to be back up as soon as possible." ®