Can anything be done about authentication via mobile 'phone?

elsabio

I know security of bank accounts is important an that the trend to use two-factor authentication is generally a welcome thing. However, does the second factor always have to be a mobile 'phone? My problem is that I live where there is no mobile coverage, and, because I live and work here, I don't have a mobile 'phone. I do all of my banking online, but an increasing number of organisations (Santander, Nottingham, ...) now require a mobile 'phone to operate an account. Can I be the only person living in a rural area, distant from branches and without a mobile 'phone?

There are alternative second factors that could be chosen: a land line, a set of tokens downloaded via a secure application, a key generator, hardware or software, but no banks seem to want to employ that flexibility.

ceh209

Halifax ask me which number I want to be called on - my landline or my mobile.

elsabio

Yes, Lloyds, TSB and Halifax will use a land-line in their TFA, so why can't others?

Willing2Learn

I honestly thought they all have the land-line option. I must be wrong in my assumptions

Futuristic

Firstdirect generates one time codes via app, I don't believe SMS is true 2FA. Your SIM can be swapped very easily these days, lots in the news about it.

karlie88

As a side note to the OP, have you ordered a free PAYG SIM card from the main providers in the UK to test which one offers you the best coverage? i.e. EE, O2, Vodafone, Three.

Uxb

I guess the OP has not becasue
1 They do not have a mobile phone to put it in.
2. The PAYG sim might be "free" but to activate it to test it out in a mobile will require an initial top up of something like £10 to be applied by the user to it. So in effect each test costs £10 to do. Look at the various network coverage charts from each phone company instead.

ColdIron

Maybe have a look at trying WiFi, two thirds down starting with If my signal's poor ...

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/phones/piggybacking/

Ballard

Three (and quite possibly others) have WiFi calling which can use WiFi to make and receive calls & texts. If you feel the need of a mobile then you could investigate this as an option.

elsabio

There is some great advice already on this thread - thank you - I'll first look at the 'via WiFi' options as a means of conforming to the banks' whims (though it would be more comforting to believe that a service provider like a bank would still have some vague memory of the concept of the customer being right, at least occasionally) :-)

eDicky

Uxb wrote: »

2. The PAYG sim might be "free" but to activate it to test it out in a mobile will require an initial top up of something like £10 to be applied by the user to it. So in effect each test costs £10 to do.

To top up using a voucher requires the voucher number to be input while the SIM is connected to the network. The network signal, if any, will be shown without actually topping up.

The network coverage maps are not reliable, it's better to use the free SIMs.