First Direct - Secure Key and Messaging

GingerBob_3

If you don't have a First Direct Secure Key you can still use Internet banking and carry out virtually all transactions, save for creating a new payment destination. Also, you can't send them a message without the key. I cannot understand this. It defies logic. They're happy for you to move any amount of money around, even clear out the account, but you can't contact them. Can someone explain this? To me it seems like paranoia.

Gromitt

You can ask them to do account things which may include "Close this account", so it makes sense for them to make sure it's really you. Someone hacking into your account and paying your credit card bill isn't something normally complained about.

But it's typically easier to just phone them rather than using a secure key and sending them a message.

Jayjay92

You can move money I think to your own accounts without a secure key, but to set up new payees or to transfer or pay bills outside First Direct, you need to generate a transaction key code before any money is transferred.

GingerBob_3

Jayjay92 wrote: »

You can move money I think to your own accounts without a secure key, but to set up new payees or to transfer or pay bills outside First Direct, you need to generate a transaction key code before any money is transferred.

No, I think the only restrictions are that you can't set up new payees, nor send a message to the bank. The latter point I find bizarre. You can pay a current payee without using the secure key - as far as I know.

Gromitt

Jayjay92 wrote: »

You can move money I think to your own accounts without a secure key, but to set up new payees or to transfer or pay bills outside First Direct, you need to generate a transaction key code before any money is transferred.

You can transfer funds to existing payees outside of FD without a secure key.

Jayjay92

I just tried paying my Amex bill and it's asking for a transaction key to be generated (as it normally does). I'm using Internet Banking and I have to generate the code using the FD app on my cell. Within the app, you'll have 3 options.

1) Log on security code
2) Transaction security code
3) Re-authentication security code

I have to generate a code using option 2 and it asks for the last 4 numbers of the account to pay, once I've entered those details, the code is generated which I then input into Internet banking to complete the transaction.

Jayjay92

Ah, you need a code to pay bills but not for transferring funds to people who you've previously done so. I stand corrected guys.

According to the FD website:-

"Even if you choose to have a Digital Secure Key you can still log on from time to time without it, if you don't have it with you. The access will be limited but it will allow you to view your balances, access your statements and transfer money to people you've made a payment to on Internet Banking before."

White_Rose_Tight_ThaKnows

I'm currently waiting for my secure key thing.

First Direct do seem to do things a bit differently, post arriving in an envelope which in turn is inside an envelope with what looks like a handwritten address and fraud safety leaflet. (Or maybe it was just me!)

What also puzzles me about their 1st Account is they seem to offer no interest but charge you £10 p/m unless paying in £1k p/m or have another product (which I will be complying with soon).