Gaining access to online banking while abroad

Buzby

Santander (and even Paypal) may prevent access based on your IP address. On a recent holiday on the Med I used an Inmarsat connection that made my location appear to be the USA - I was blocked from accessing the account (but not foam using the card). I got round it by using a proxy which fooled it into believing I was in the UK.

So yes - you are right to be concerned.

chattychappy

Interesting. I have accessed my Santander account from the US (San Antonio) and a variety of other locations including this morning in Germany. Never had a problem.

I access it via the "personal banking" log on where I also see a couple of other accounts I have with Santander (ISA etc).

Roger1

joshly wrote: »

Thanks for the tip regarding the Vodacom dongle with a local SIM card. That will do for my first trip and I can look into another option if I can stay there permanently.

Just to expand a little, if you have an unlocked dongle, take that and buy a SIM card locally.

Vodacom retail agents and others will happily sell you a Vodacom or other dongle but will charge for it, and unless you buy a big bundle, the cost for dongle and SIM may be higher than you think reasonable.

Pick'n'Pay and other supermarkets sell Vodacom and MTN dongles in so-called starter kits for 1 rand. You can then add credit at a retail shop. Your SA friend could perhaps buy you a SIM in advance and, who knows, even find a dongle for you. Worth asking?

joshly

Thank-you very much Roger.

That will save me a lot of hassle.