Why should I have a mobile phone ?

brewerdave

One of my banks recently introduced the requirement to receive a texted code when withdrawing/transferring money online - I phoned them and pointed out that I had no mobile phone signal at home,whereupon the guy said that I could register my home phone number to receive automated voice messages instead. Haven't yet tested - but will be in April when opening 2012/3 ISA!

NatWest -where I have my main current account- keep bombarding me with requests for my mobile number -even tho' I have told them that repeatedly that it's only for my private use - and doesn't work at home anyway!

JDC14

I don't agree with this, although being a teenager - I use my phone all the time.

The one that annoyed me is that Barclays wanted my work number when I opened (3 accounts when I wanted 2!), As a part-time worker, and having provided them a mobile number (I don't have a landline) they would have no need to contact me at work, none of us take personal calls at work anyway (maybe managers and supervisors with access to the office) but we general workers certainly don't.

I explain to them I can't take personal calls at work and the landline field was blank, but they specifically ask for work details (rather than taking them in lieu of the landline I don't have). Ridiculous.

DorsetDave2

Many thanks to all the replies.

What I was really upset about was that previously I was able to access my account fully and make payments to people and businesses I hadnt paid before. I could do this at anytime. Then they told me I couldnt do this anymore.

Haveing to make phone calls I had to pay for( and only at certain times) and go through all the security process wasnt my idea of a hassle free account like it was before.

I felt this made me a second class customer. Where other banks give you a card reader then Santander was going down the cheapskate route insisting I buy a mobile phone myself.

Furthermore I couldnt get them to understand my situation so now I've changed my bank account to the Co-op , and getting £200 in the process.

nzseries1

If everyone did what you did and voted with their feet, we'd have a lot better behaved group of banks! Well done. I agree with you completely, for what it's worth, and I left Santander too for the same reason.

[Deleted User]

nzseries1 wrote: »

If everyone did what you did and voted with their feet, we'd have a lot better behaved group of banks! Well done. I agree with you completely, for what it's worth, and I left Santander too for the same reason.

I also agree here - Even though Santanders OTP is a nice system, I just prefer the old Card Readers at Barclays to do the transaction

Mikhail

DorsetDave2 wrote: »

I know in this day and age it will be a surprise to some people but I DO NOT HAVE A MOBILE PHONE.
Unfortunately this puts me at a disadvantage with some Banks.

Most Bank's issue customers with a card reader for extra security. I have no problem with this. But recently Santander have told me I must have a mobile phone to fully access my account online. The same applies to Sainsburys Bank. It's something to do with sending you a text code I believe. The trouble is if you dont have a mobile then you have to ring up to - for instance- set up a new Direct Debit or payment. Sainsburys do have a free 0500 number but for Santander its an expensive 0871 number(and only available at certain times)

I think this is a diabolical liberty and makes me a second class customer for not having a mobile. In fact I'm told that mobile phone reception in my area is poor anyway. This is a cheapskate way of providing security for some banks instead of providing you with a card reader. I have had several phone conversations with Santander including asking them to provide me with a free mobile - but they wont of course.

Does anyone know if this is breaking any Banking Regulations ? What can I do to complain and to whom. ? ( I did tell Santander I wanted to complain but heard nothing) Why should I have to go to all the trouble of changing my bank. ?

Buy a virtual number, e.g., from http://fishtext.com/ cost £10

HomerCastle

"I felt this made me a second class customer."
Well, if you will bank with Santander that's what you expect - they don't have any first class customers imo..
"I did tell Santander I wanted to complain but heard nothing"
This says it all really, I would move to a better bank and make sure you tell Santander why you're doing so.

knightstyle

Get a cheap PAYG mobile phone, if you go for Orange you can also have 2for1 cinema seats on Wednesday. We do and the phone is switched off most of the time just left in car in case of emergencies.

anamenottaken

Pont wrote: »

I do not have a mobile phone, I also bank with above mentioned which I access daily online. Just put a silly number in the mob no. box such as 9999999999999 or 000000000000 etc then it's not a problem - they just don't accept a vacant box. Banks, and many other businesses seem to think we're all fixed at the hip (or ear) to mobiles!

Your system would work if they weren't going to send texts which you need to receive in order to set up payees. No real number, no message received, no payee set up, no payment.

nzseries1

knightstyle wrote: »

Get a cheap PAYG mobile phone

Why? Switching to another bank is free, you can even get paid for it!

Mikhail wrote: »

Buy a virtual number, e.g., from <> cost £10

Why? Switching to another bank is free, you can even get paid for it!