Halifax Online Banking - New Account Payee - Tel. Numbers?

jfh7gwa

I've been trying to set up a new account's payee this week ("Pay A Person" on the recipient tab) but am still getting this error:

You need to give us a valid phone number
To make this arrangement, we’ll need to call you to ask for your authorisation. We’re sorry but we don’t have a contact number for you at present. Please call us on 08457 203 040 (calls might be recorded).
For more information on our security features, please read our FAQs.
Don’t forget to keep your telephone details up to date online: Change your
phone numbers [this is link to admin area for tel. numbers]

When I queried this last week, I explained to the CSR that I've inputted a landline telephone number and a mobile number a few days ago, and the woman explained that it would take a few working days to "be active" on the account and for that error message to go away. Apparently, once their system recognises the numbers I've added, I'll be able to add a payee onto the account.

• Is this, um, true? The woman didn't seem to really know what she was talking about and I got the impression that it was a "just wait a few days to see if it resolves" thing rather than a knowledge of "oh yes, it take 5 working days" specific kind of answer.
• If it is true, !!!!!!? I opened this account, gave full telephone numbers on the application form, yet online banking didn't have this information added. So I have to add it myself, and THEN wait more working days for their bizarre systems to "activate it" or something? :mad: Seems the opposite of streamlined in terms of the process to me

anamenottaken

Not immediately activating the phone numbers you have entered on line is an anti-fraud measure. It is to protect you from someone getting online access to your account, inputting their own mobile number and therefore being able to set up new payees and make payments.

Why the numbers were not added when the account was set up is a separate issue which you can take up with them.

opinions4u

No idea how long it takes your numbers to become active.

As an anti-fraud measure it's effective though, and preferable to those horrible card reader things other banks provide.

A pain today, but once resolved you'll be fine with it.

jfh7gwa

anamenottaken, I suppose you're right re: the anti-fraud measures. My annoyance is really that I supplied all the information at application stage, and delays have come about because it wasn't done properly. (I currently have £1001 sitting in the Halifax account that I can't access, as I hadn't realised there would be this barrier - a bit too eager to use the account on my part!).

I take it you can't confirm a yay or a nay on the number of working days it takes to "activate" the telephone numbers that have been added? The woman mentioned WORKING days, so I'm guessing the days around Christmas won't count (25th, 26th, 27th at least, going by their Christmas branch closures).

DUTR

jfh7gwa wrote: »

I've been trying to set up a new account's payee this week ("Pay A Person" on the recipient tab) but am still getting this error:



When I queried this last week, I explained to the CSR that I've inputted a landline telephone number and a mobile number a few days ago, and the woman explained that it would take a few working days to "be active" on the account and for that error message to go away. Apparently, once their system recognises the numbers I've added, I'll be able to add a payee onto the account.

• Is this, um, true? The woman didn't seem to really know what she was talking about and I got the impression that it was a "just wait a few days to see if it resolves" thing rather than a knowledge of "oh yes, it take 5 working days" specific kind of answer.
• If it is true, !!!!!!? I opened this account, gave full telephone numbers on the application form, yet online banking didn't have this information added. So I have to add it myself, and THEN wait more working days for their bizarre systems to "activate it" or something? :mad: Seems the opposite of streamlined in terms of the process to me

When you set up a new payment, they send a text to your registered mobile number, you enter this code and all is good, you only have to do it upon setting up a new line to pay.

miamoo

I have had the same problem, I changed my mobile number online and untill they verify this number they wont let me add a new recipient. I added the number 2 weeks ago and I'm still waiting for them to call me! I can make payments fine to people who are already in my list, but just not add new ones. Its strange why it has to take so long!

Gromitt

DUTR wrote: »

When you set up a new payment, they send a text to your registered mobile number, you enter this code and all is good, you only have to do it upon setting up a new line to pay.

Your thinking of Satander. Halifax don't send texts, they place an automated voice call and you have to enter the number given from online banking into your phones keypad to authorise the transaction. This means it works with both landlines and mobiles.

My home telephone number was activated within 3 days of the account being setup, they rang me at work to authorise my mobile number. I didn't have to ask them to be added, they were automatically there when I visited the payments page for the first time.

jfh7gwa

miamoo wrote: »

I added the number 2 weeks ago and I'm still waiting for them to call me!

2 weeks? Bah!

Mikeyorks

jfh7gwa wrote: »

Is this, um, true? The woman didn't seem to really know what she was talking about and I got the impression that it was a "just wait a few days to see if it resolves" thing rather than a knowledge of "oh yes, it take 5 working days" specific kind of answer.

5 working days (7 elapsed days) :

http://www.halifax.co.uk/onlinebankinghelp/manage-your-details/?!!!!!HOME3#If-I-update-my-phone-number-online-will-I-be-able-to-use-this-number-immediately

......... click the 'updating your 'phone numbers' tab.

rb10

You should still be able to make payments using telephone banking while waiting for your phone to activate.