Why Must I have a mobile to Open a Savings Account?

Neil_Jones

molerat wrote: »

My SIL has a mobile phone, of no use to her though as she can't get a signal at home. So what are her options ? Move house ? Seems a bit drastic when there are alternatives the banks could implement.

Move networks?

There are four mobile networks in this country after all. If you can't get a signal on one its plausible you can get a signal on one of the other three, unless you live in a lead-lined basement.

born_again

crick555 wrote: »

The onus on security is put on me also, not with the bank who has my money,

Everybody has a role to play in protecting your money.

I'm sure you would not be happy if someone accessed your account and emptied it. Simply because they had found out your login details. Yet 2FA and that message to you puts a stop on it straight away.

molerat

Neil_Jones wrote: »

Move networks?

There are four mobile networks in this country after all. If you can't get a signal on one its plausible you can get a signal on one of the other three, unless you live in a lead-lined basement.

None are any good. One of the problems of living in a remote part of the Scottish highlands, something that is highlighted in the FCA guidance but has been ignored by many of the providers.

Ergates

crick555 wrote: »

I have been trying to change my savings account, as the bonus rate is about to close, and have been looking at various banks and building societies that offer good rates regarding transferring my funds. I do not have a mobile phone but found that many banks and building societies require this, if I want to open a new online savings account. They say it is in the name of security. I have tried Virgin Money, Saga. Skipton and also Cambridge Building Society, amongst others regarding opening a new online account, but cannot do so without a mobile phone.

When speaking to another building society, they mentioned a new law coming in next month regarding this situation and that banks and building society will be able to ask new account holders to have mobiles if they want to use their company. I was told it was a matter of extra security. So no mobile, no online account. The bank will not pay for increased online security and it is put on the customer to do this. In theory, the low interest on offer these days from banks and building societies may not even cover the cost of buying a mobile and its contract.


Has anybody else come across this disgusting situation?

Short answer: It's 2019. Mobile phones are deeply embedded in our society and refusing to have one at this point is just being bloody-minded for the sake of it.

colsten

molerat wrote: »

None are any good. One of the problems of living in a remote part of the Scottish highlands, something that is highlighted in the FCA guidance but has been ignored by many of the providers.

What is the reason she does not use WiFi calling?

colsten

AnotherJoe wrote: »

Get a wifi gizmo that extends the signal.

You mean a router? The 'gizmo' she has to have to get a broadband connection?

Davy_Jones_II

molerat wrote: »

None are any good. One of the problems of living in a remote part of the Scottish highlands, something that is highlighted in the FCA guidance but has been ignored by many of the providers.

Then get a local hotspot that works off your landline.

Or accept that if you live in the back of beyond that you don’t get the same services as people in Highgate do.

She likely has fewer organic smoothie concessions, interior decorators or urban dance collectives available either, and just like banks, no-one has a right to expect that these will service every edge case.

Chino

Ergates wrote: »

Short answer: It's 2019.

And being 2019, it's perfectly possible to send and receive text messages on a landline:
All about BT Text

So there's no reason, other than bloody mindedness, that banks don't allow customers, whose landline provider offers such a service, to register a landline number to receive access codes.

Davy_Jones_II

Chino wrote: »

And being 2019, it's perfectly possible to send and receive text messages on a landline:
All about BT Text

So there's no reason, other than bloody mindedness, that banks don't allow customers, whose landline provider offers such a service, to register a landline number to receive access codes.

Well you’re clearly wrong, there’s a commercial reason behind it, but let’s accept your premise, they are just being awkward. What next for the OP? Bit of a moan, and let the world keep leaving them behind, or decide to keep up with it for a while longer?

molerat

colsten wrote: »

What is the reason she does not use WiFi calling?

Because wifi calling is device and network specific, it is not a universally available product. How many hoops are people expected to jump through to use on line banking when a simple solution is right in front of the provider. The main problem here is that the banks are ignoring the very specific guidance from the FCA that they must - note the use of the word must - make provision for those that do not have a mobile phone or are in an area with no mobile signal. I strongly believe that everyone who is in that situation and their bank only uses mobile phone for 2FA should complain and take that complaint all the way.