So what's with the phone numbers

Squire_Fulwood

Probably best to read post #40 before you read this one.

I have had no reply of any kind from the bank which either means they don't take it seriously or being Santander they are confirming the general opinion about their customer service. I may write to them again.

Their reason for asking for a mobile number is for security which is laudable but may be ill fated. Quite a number of people have responded by saying that they have used a get round when asked for their number. Making one up, using an old defunct one, putting in the landline number all seem to work where the bank is concerned and using a Skype number for Google but having given the impression that they have joined the new system I can't help wondering what will happen when the bank sends them a One Time Passcode (not Password) in order to verify their account.

On the Google front I give you this link http://www.google.com/support/forum/p/youtube/thread?tid=442e49d0d799a9ef&hl=en where you can read what I wrote and play a video telling you about Two Step Verification which is used to prevent your Youtube or Google account being hacked (???)

If you can't read that thread then the video is on Youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zMabEyrtPRg

lastminutelaura

the_big_fact_hunt wrote: »

i rarely give a number out, but when i do i use a flextel number, it costs them more to call and i can shut it down or even redirect it to them if they annoy me enough

flossy_splodge wrote: »

What's a flextel number please?:eek:

the_big_fact_hunt
Yeah I use a flextel number for this reason too and earning commission on annoying calls makes me feel good stinging them back a bit!

Flossy_splodge
You can give a flextel number to companies wanting your info so that you keep your mobile number private. You get better control over calls because you can choose to either send all the calls to your mobile as if it wasn't any different from using your real number, or you can send them all to voicemail to screen for genuine vs annoying calls. It's basically a disposable number cos if you get sick of spam calls, you can just stop using it and get another to replace it (they're free). You get to control how the number works to suit your life rather than the other way round :cool:

The only caveat is that some numbers cost you money to receive calls on them while others don't cost anything - just make sure you compare the costs side-by-side on their website before you get a number. Don't be put off by how the website looks - free normally means crap (or that they'll do a sales job on you later), but they're actually efficient and don't spam you. :T

flossy_splodge

so where/how do you get a flextel number?
And thanks for explanation.:o

Squire_Fulwood

I got a reply to my email today. Here is what the bank said.

"Currently there is no alternative to using a mobile phone with the new security procedure that will be introduced. If you do not use a mobile phone then your current internet banking facilities will become reduced.

Unfortunately we are not providing our customers with mobile phones if they do not already have one.

The reason we are using a mobile phone is that it is a separate device to your PC or laptop and therefore reduces the risk if your internet banking details were ever compromised.

If there are any developments with regards to an alternative then we will inform customers.

I apologise for any inconvenience caused."

First of all I note that my banking facilities will become reduced if I do not comply. Secondly I find that when you ask someone a question they avoid answering by reiterating what they said in the first place as if I am deaf (blind). I take it to mean that in terms of the new security system I am stuffed because they will do as they wish despite the customers.

lastminutelaura

flossy_splodge wrote: »

so where/how do you get a flextel number?
And thanks for explanation.:o

Woops, sorry - didn't say! Just go to flextel.com and then on the left navigation menu, click Numbers to open a submenu in the navigation section. If you then click on Free, you'll get a big list of numbers to choose from. The list is searchable too, so you can try your luck and see if your favourite number is in there. They tend to be just random though - the prettier/memorable numbers cost!

When you see one you like, just click Reserve and put in your email address. They'll then email you the connection instructions directly (I think you click on a link in that email to activate it). Just make sure you activate it within 24 hours and then receive one call on the new number within the first month of activating it (just do a test call to it to see if it works anyway - that covers it). I got caught out the first time I got a number from them because I forgot to do that, but when I rang customer support they were really nice and sorted it out straightaway. After that initial step, there's no minimum contract or automatic renewal/hidden charges etc, so you can stop using it whenever.

lastminutelaura

Squire_Fulwood wrote: »

I got a reply to my email today. Here is what the bank said.

"Currently there is no alternative to using a mobile phone with the new security procedure that will be introduced. If you do not use a mobile phone then your current internet banking facilities will become reduced. ...

That's ridiculous! They're being completely illogical about this - not everyone can use text messaging - what about blind people, for instance? There's computer software for reading out websites but I'm not sure there's an equivalent for text messages... If not, the banks are being deeply inconsiderate! :mad:

I'm not sure a flextel number would work for this kind of thing if companies and banks rely on texting their customers. Unfortunately they (and everyone else in their field) can't do texting on their numbers because of how they're set up.

Squire_Fulwood

lastminutelaura wrote: »

That's ridiculous! They're being completely illogical about this -

Illogical is what I first thought. Then I thought pushy, arrogant and a database full of everyone's mobile number.

As I wrote earlier in this thread Google are doing something similar which is even more odd. I can't explain it. I have a Google mail account and that has now been linked to my Youtube account. Is that important enough for them to send an SMS with a code number every month for security reasons?

I can readily see why a bank is more security conscious but the method chosen remains a mystery to say nothing of the fact I have to buy a mobile because Google/Santander say I must.

Squire_Fulwood

Here is an update.

I realise that I might not be able to live in this world without a mobile phone in the future. Since the only real need I might have for one is for use by Santander, Google and Youtube I do not wish to pay vast sums of money providing the facility for them so I have been looking into cheap ways of joining in.

Obviously you can use an old unlocked phone and one of the free SIM cards that are readily available. Things to watch out for are things like coverage and the tariff structure of the network provider you might choose to join. I immediately ruled out a contract phone since the basic rent might be £10 to £25 per month and that much I will never pay for Youtube etc.

Some PAYG phones have the problem where if you don’t use the top up within an allotted time frame then it turns into a pumpkin and you might get cut off. I remember years ago when Vodafone let you keep your own money until it ran out. Those were the days.

I stopped researching the subject when I found the Tesco Mobile SIM. This not only lets you keep your own money but Tesco add some to it and use theirs first. Topping up by £10 means that Tesco add a further £20 making £30 in all. The freebie does expire after a month but your own money does not. I tried one without putting any top up money on it at all and it is quite happy to receive SMS messages. That is one problem solved.

As to a suitable handset, Tesco again. They are selling a handset for £10 and you get a free SIM with it after you argue with the lady while pointing at the ad. The SIM would normally cost 99p so it is not worth arguing for long.

To sum up. I now have a new phone for £10 with a free SIM which accepts SMS messages without putting any money on it. Should I ever put money on it Tesco would triple it and use their own money first.

Such a phone could be attached to computer desk for the sole purpose of receiving SMS messages from firms who couldn’t organise a trip to a brewery.

I was amused to note that the method of logging into Tesco Mobile web site is to send your phone number and they SMS you back with a PIN. Still, since they sold you the mobile phone they are pretty sure you own one.