by Jeff Colbourne
Northern News Services

NNSL (May 01/98) - The Millennium bug has already reared its ugly head in businesses around town.

Holders of credit cards that expire in the year 2000 -- those with a 00 date -- may run into problems when they go to make a transaction at their favorite store or hotel.

"There were problems when they first came out but it only lasted a week and then it was fine," said Sue Johnson, accounting clerk at Yellowknife Direct Charge Co-op.

"They couldn't use their card ... it wouldn't go through it would just say 'invalid card' or 'invalid expiry' date," she added.

To alleviate the problem the Co-op called the Bank of Montreal, the company that provides their Mastercard system, and they took care of the problem.

Nancy Potts, front-desk manager at the Yellowknife Inn, said they have not had any problems making transactions with credit cards with the 00 expiration date.

"I've had people who have paid with expiration date 00 on it and it had gone through just fine," said Potts.

"I thought maybe we would have problems but no we don't."

But the Explorer Hotel has run into the occasional problem with some credit card transactions. A short telephone call however to Visa or Mastercard and the transaction is quickly authorized.

Kerri Wilkinson, assistant manager at the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, said she hasn't heard of any complaints from credit card customers.

"I am not aware of any problems with that," said Wilkinson.

If customers do run into snags she is encouraging them to let her know.