Can you opt out of having to use a card reader for online banking?

sdavi3680

I don't want to bother using a card reader any more for online banking. I just find it annoying. I don't do my banking in just one place. I never even remember I need to use it. Sometimes I will be at work and need to make a payment yet I can't because I obviously haven't got the card reader on me. I went travelling for a year and had to bloody carry the thing around with me.
So can I opt not to use it? I know it's there for my protection before anyone wants to advise me on that.

My bank is Nationwide BTW.

book12

I never heard of an option to opt-out of the card reader.

I would suggest you switch banks that don't need a card reader, such as:

• HBOS
• LTSB
• Co-op
• Abbey
• A&L
• HSBC

td_007

book12 wrote: »

I never heard of an option to opt-out of the card reader.

I would suggest you switch banks that don't need a card reader, such as:

• HBOS
• LTSB
• Co-op
• Abbey
• A&L
• HSBC

To add to the above list first direct, Citibank. The big question is how long will it stay this way. Abbey for eg has already introduced the OTP which requires a mobile and if you are travelling and have no mobile connection you are screwed!

WestonDave

First Direct don't use one, and HSBC (its parent) don't use them even for higher banking functions

Blenheim_2

A card reader is now required to use Co-op online banking.

jonesMUFCforever

There was a trial with LTSB - don't know if they intend to roll it out nationwide - they seem to favour click safe at the moment.

chris_m

Nat West only require me to use one when I'm setting up a new payee for electronic transfers - once it's set up I don't need the card reader, thankfully.

DesG

They annoy the hell out of me too!

I don't have a problem if they are only used to setup new payees, but to require one every time I make a small payment to an existing payee is taking the p, Nationwide!!

Cheers, Des.

eslick

there was an article earlier in the year about the strength of security on bank websites and some of them did quite poorly, I remember first direct were praised as being one of those that had the best due to its log in process, think thats why they dont need a card reader

rb10

eslick wrote: »

there was an article earlier in the year about the strength of security on bank websites and some of them did quite poorly, I remember first direct were praised as being one of those that had the best due to its log in process, think thats why they dont need a card reader

If you are referring to the same article that I saw, then it was actually about the visible security measures that different banks use.

However, visible security is quite different to actual security. Which makes the report rather useless overall, as I for one don't care at all what security measures my bank publicises, just as long as they have enough behind the scenes.

eslick

rb10 wrote: »

If you are referring to the same article that I saw, then it was actually about the visible security measures that different banks use.

However, visible security is quite different to actual security. Which makes the report rather useless overall, as I for one don't care at all what security measures my bank publicises, just as long as they have enough behind the scenes.

no the report I saw was the way the passwords were generated, FD uses two password system one asking for different letters of the password and from what I remember this piece was different to the way other banks use it. Think it could have been that it cant be tracked with the virus software that tracks a users key strokes.