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Most Onerous Security Checks
Red_Ant
Posts: 75 Forumite
I don't know if this has been discussed before, but the Banks / BSocs seem to still struggle to get their levels of security right.
The Abbey / Santander seem one of the best with their "text to mobile" service when dealing with a new account, as they don't bother you if you make a transaction to a known account (and still have a manual check as well).
The worst online login security I've met is the Skipton with their code-card. They might argue this is a one-off, but if you clear cookies you'll need it every time you log in.
Regarding Telephone calls to Customer Services Halifax are pretty poor, asking you about your overdraft limit on an account you may have been given a default overdraft that you've never used, and have no intention of using.
The Nationwide people don't seem to realise that if you make regular small transactions to the same payee it should need the use of the card reader every time - e.g. paying a credit card bill.
The worst overall has to be Alliance and Leicester, who seem to take pride in failing you on the security checks, and advise that for a new account they do not have enough security questions to ask - meaning repeated trips to a branch to try to get things done (and often finding the branch will advise that you need to speak to the people in Bootle again).
We seem to be getting to the point where you either need to already be online before you call these people, so you can recount details of your last few transactions, or the standing orders you have set up - or you have to write all this kind of information down on paper - which defeats the whole issue of security anyway !
I'm sure there are many more examples - if only we could get some kind of standardisation -and / or some links to a reliable / secure biometric device so you just had to touch a finger on your keyboard and all the security questions become unecessary.
The Abbey / Santander seem one of the best with their "text to mobile" service when dealing with a new account, as they don't bother you if you make a transaction to a known account (and still have a manual check as well).
The worst online login security I've met is the Skipton with their code-card. They might argue this is a one-off, but if you clear cookies you'll need it every time you log in.
Regarding Telephone calls to Customer Services Halifax are pretty poor, asking you about your overdraft limit on an account you may have been given a default overdraft that you've never used, and have no intention of using.
The Nationwide people don't seem to realise that if you make regular small transactions to the same payee it should need the use of the card reader every time - e.g. paying a credit card bill.
The worst overall has to be Alliance and Leicester, who seem to take pride in failing you on the security checks, and advise that for a new account they do not have enough security questions to ask - meaning repeated trips to a branch to try to get things done (and often finding the branch will advise that you need to speak to the people in Bootle again).
We seem to be getting to the point where you either need to already be online before you call these people, so you can recount details of your last few transactions, or the standing orders you have set up - or you have to write all this kind of information down on paper - which defeats the whole issue of security anyway !
I'm sure there are many more examples - if only we could get some kind of standardisation -and / or some links to a reliable / secure biometric device so you just had to touch a finger on your keyboard and all the security questions become unecessary.
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I've also discovered that Barclays insist on the use of their Card Reader to even log on to your online bank to check a balance or whether a payment has gone through - I think they need to take a few lessons in customer-facing security from Nat West.0
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I've also discovered that Barclays insist on the use of their Card Reader to even log on to your online bank to check a balance or whether a payment has gone through - I think they need to take a few lessons in customer-facing security from Nat West.
Personally, I have no problem with this stipulation at all.
Granted, it is not the most handy gadget invented, but once you get familiar with it, I think it is a Godsend.
It means that I am totally secure online and can do all of my internet banking using it - plus I don't need to remember endless answers to security questions. Tthough I have not been brave enough to try this one, as the code changes every time you use the reader, I suspect it is safe enough to log on using it even when you think the PC you are using is not the most secure - i.e. in a Internet Cafe. However, if I am prepared to be corrected on that one if I am wrong.
As for NW, I lump them in with RBS - all part of the same group. I have a Tesco savings account which is operated by RBS. They, too require a card reader and card. However, the one they sent me conked out two days after I started using it - not a good start. So I now put my Tesco card in my Barclays reader with no problem.....0 -
Depends on your viewpoint - some people might be happy to put up with this if it reduces the risk of someone else being able to log into their account and seeing all their transactions.I've also discovered that Barclays insist on the use of their Card Reader to even log on to your online bank to check a balance or whether a payment has gone through - I think they need to take a few lessons in customer-facing security from Nat West.0 -
Why is it so bad? It is a very cheap way of providing two-factor authentication.The worst online login security I've met is the Skipton with their code-card. They might argue this is a one-off, but if you clear cookies you'll need it every time you log in.
Even if you do fall for a phishing attack, the logon details can't be used because the attacker won't have the card.0 -
Life would be so much easier if the banks all used the same security systems. Even easier if they just asked you for your name and account number.....0
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I've also discovered that Barclays insist on the use of their Card Reader to even log on to your online bank to check a balance or whether a payment has gone through - I think they need to take a few lessons in customer-facing security from Nat West.
This one winds me up. I've no objection to being asked for a code /or a phone call / text message to authorise a payment, but just to log in it really annoys me. Barclays is the only account I don't log in to daily, because I can't be botehred with all the palaver. It'd be the last account I'd notice fraud on, should there be any.Target Cash Net Worth: £25K by January 2012
Progress May-08 19.0%; May-09 40.0%; May-10 63.0%; May-11 58.4%; Jun-11 58.5%; Jul-11 58.9%; Aug-11 58.7%; Sep-11 59.0%
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Life would be so much easier if the banks all used the same security systems. Even easier if they just asked you for your name and account number.....
Then if one system was compromised, all of your banks would be (like, if they always asked what your mother's maiden name is). And, everyone likes a different system.Target Cash Net Worth: £25K by January 2012
Progress May-08 19.0%; May-09 40.0%; May-10 63.0%; May-11 58.4%; Jun-11 58.5%; Jul-11 58.9%; Aug-11 58.7%; Sep-11 59.0%
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LucyTheDwarf wrote: »Then if one system was compromised, all of your banks would be (like, if they always asked what your mother's maiden name is). And, everyone likes a different system.
It's called irony Lucy
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I don't know if this has been discussed before, but the Banks / BSocs seem to still struggle to get their levels of security right.
The Abbey / Santander seem one of the best with their "text to mobile" service when dealing with a new account, as they don't bother you if you make a transaction to a known account (and still have a manual check as well).
Not according to a bloke in this news item who finds they don't accept the new National ID Card, but they will accept paper (non-photo) driving license.0
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