I don’t have a mobile phone.

Ragnar_Smith · 25 July 2019 at 7:20AM

Some of the savings accounts shown on the website are attractive, but I do not have a mobile phone and am therefore precluded from opening one. I realise that I am probably in a small minority by not having one and they form part of the security, but is there any way around this, please?

Alistair31 · 25 July 2019 at 7:29AM

I would just get one. Very cheap these days and the advantages far outweigh any downside.

veryintrigued · 25 July 2019 at 7:40AM

Alistair31 wrote: »

I would just get one. Very cheap these days and the advantages far outweigh any downside.

Be careful what you're suggesting you'll have some people on here seething at you!

Previously, to another post, I suggested likewise and received criticism for having the audacity to do this.

But I agree with you completely - just get one. You need not be tied to it etc etc. The recent tightening up of some Bank Account security means that they're even more integral.

If I were the OP I'd start a thread on the Telephone section stating the bare minimum they want from a phone and other helpful forumites will be able to assist in suggesting handsets / deals - or look at the MSE guides.

Roland_Flagg · 25 July 2019 at 8:15AM

Get a cheap alcatel or nokia that is 3G compatible.
Get a Three PAYG card. Calls are 3p a min, text 2p each.
Top up just £5. The £5 never expires as long as you make one text/call every 6 months.

System · 25 July 2019 at 8:28AM

I've got a mobile phone but it is almost useless for banking security because there is a very very slow signal where we live. A text can take several hours before I receive it, unless I am expecting it and walk up the hill some distance to try and find better reception. Usually the one-time code has expired by the time I get back home and log in again.

Most banks etc will allow a landline contact number if you can talk to someone and explain the situation.

Johnnyboy11 · 25 July 2019 at 8:38AM

Clifford_Pope wrote: »

I've got a mobile phone but it is almost useless for banking security because there is a very very slow signal where we live. A text can take several hours before I receive it, unless I am expecting it and walk up the hill some distance to try and find better reception. Usually the one-time code has expired by the time I get back home and log in again.

Most banks etc will allow a landline contact number if you can talk to someone and explain the situation.

Enable wifi calling on your phone, most mobile networks support this. I use it on ID mobile, works a treat at home.

reeac · 25 July 2019 at 8:48AM

We have zero phone signal where we live. My wife has a mobile phone which she exercises, in order to keep the contract valid, every couple of weeks when suitably distant (a few miles) from home. I view the increasing reliance on mobile phones with some concern ....our GP sends us texts which we don't receive and savings institutions are getting more reliant on them for security checking. We have recently switched our building society savings to a branch based/passbook account. As the branch is next door to the butchers that I visit every week it's all easy-peasy.

Zanderman · 25 July 2019 at 9:09AM

reeac wrote: »

We have zero phone signal where we live. My wife has a mobile phone which she exercises, in order to keep the contract valid, every couple of weeks when suitably distant (a few miles) from home. I view the increasing reliance on mobile phones with some concern ....our GP sends us texts which we don't receive and savings institutions are getting more reliant on them for security checking. We have recently switched our building society savings to a branch based/passbook account. As the branch is next door to the butchers that I visit every week it's all easy-peasy.

Agree that this is frustrating but you clearly have an internet-enabled computer so, if your router has wifi and if your wife's phone is a smartphone, you can probably enable wifi calling and, I think, that also allows wifi texting... In which case, as long as you have wifi at home the phone will get the texts. Not quite easy-peasy to set up but if it works it will be....

oldernonethewiser · 25 July 2019 at 9:14AM

Not all phones support WiFi calling/texting and certainly those cheaper ones which people have been recommending in order that people may receive texts certainly don't.

coffeehound · 25 July 2019 at 9:14AM

Also don't buy an old Blackberry to use. The * symbol requires a two button combination which doesn't work properly for tone communications. Caused continual misery with automated phone systems.