Virgin Credit Account online access ceasing January 2021

JamesPeter

Molerat,

Further update to above.

Got through to Virgin Credit Cards. Apparently if you haven't logged in for a while, you have to re-register.

Managed to re-register (had to enter the card number about 6 times as they send a code which when you return to the register page clears previously input data!).

However at least I can again access my online account (until they close the website down next month anyway).

jonesMUFCforever

The app is also dreadfully slow to get in - that red circle just whirls and whirls.

molerat

JamesPeter said:

Molerat,

Further update to above.

Got through to Virgin Credit Cards. Apparently if you haven't logged in for a while, you have to re-register.

Managed to re-register (had to enter the card number about 6 times as they send a code which when you return to the register page clears previously input data!).

However at least I can again access my online account (until they close the website down next month anyway).

Well, that was hard work !

Saved a phone call though

freeganneist

I'm an addition cardholder on my partner's account. I tend to do most of the admin (download the PDFs statements, etc) because I have more time. I'm not currently allowed to use the app, and Virgin have confirmed that won't change after they withdraw the website. The only thing I will be able to do, from January onwards, is to phone them if I need a new PIN, which they'll post to me.

So they're losing us as customers, because they're shutting me out.

We're not technophobes; I've worked in IT since the 80s, I have a smartphone and I use apps all the time.  I like to use apps for checking simple things but I prefer to use a larger screen and a proper keyboard for admin. I sit at a desk for most of the day and find it faster, more intuitive and more integrated (to other applications) using websites. 

So it's goodbye to VA. I'm happy with my Amex accounts but we'll need to look for a mastercard/visa, with rewards of some sort, to replace the VA mastercard. Probably Tesco, as we can convert clubcard points to Virgin points if we need any more. 

gaz77

abc.xyz said:

Interesting. I hadn't thought of that. But what arguments could they rely on in court? A couple of counter arguments I can think of..

1. I can't use a smartphone: If you can navigate a PC, you can navigate a smartphone.
2. I have vision problems: All smartphones settings have the option to make text larger and/or bold. There is also the option of a tablet - which seem to be getting as big as laptop screens.
3. I can't afford a smartphone: Smartphones can be purchased for as little as £30, and tablets for £50 - much cheaper than a PC.
4. I rely on my Virgin CC: Virgin do not have a monopoly over the CC market. As you say, it's easy to dump the Virgin CC and get another.

I'm not an accessibility export, but I'm pretty sure making text larger won't solve all vision problems. A screenreader's probably a better solution, and I've no idea how good they are on phones. Add in people with motor issues and you could well have a disability lawsuit.
Personally I prefer to keep track of my finances on a 27" screen than a 6" screen. Don't fancy editing my spreadsheets on a phone. I'm disappointed by Virgin's move. I suppose I'll have to install the app, but transferring statements from phone to PC is an unnecessary hassle for me. In the meantime I've turned paper statements back on.

StephenM_2

I also like to manage my finances and keep my statements on a laptop. I'll put up with the hassle of transferring the statements to my laptop until my interest free period expires in June. But after that I think I'll relegate my Virgin Credit Card to be my credit card of last resort, so I'll rarely get statements. The fact that its the only one of my four credit cards that doesn't work on Google Pay is another reason not to use it.

Chrysalis

I think phones are inherently insecure, I expect virgin money have had some security issues in desktop browsers hence their new policy.
A solution might be to run android in an emulator just for the app, so its isolated in a sandbox.

jonesMUFCforever

Chrysalis said:

I think phones are inherently insecure, I expect virgin money have had some security issues in desktop browsers hence their new policy.
A solution might be to run android in an emulator just for the app, so its isolated in a sandbox.

I would suggest the real reason is cost - they run two different online systems depending on which products you hold with them. For example I have a different log in for my savings and that log in does not show my credit card and vice versa. They think that amalgamating the systems would cost too much?

callum9999

gaz77 said:

abc.xyz said:

Interesting. I hadn't thought of that. But what arguments could they rely on in court? A couple of counter arguments I can think of..

1. I can't use a smartphone: If you can navigate a PC, you can navigate a smartphone.
2. I have vision problems: All smartphones settings have the option to make text larger and/or bold. There is also the option of a tablet - which seem to be getting as big as laptop screens.
3. I can't afford a smartphone: Smartphones can be purchased for as little as £30, and tablets for £50 - much cheaper than a PC.
4. I rely on my Virgin CC: Virgin do not have a monopoly over the CC market. As you say, it's easy to dump the Virgin CC and get another.

I'm not an accessibility export, but I'm pretty sure making text larger won't solve all vision problems. A screenreader's probably a better solution, and I've no idea how good they are on phones. Add in people with motor issues and you could well have a disability lawsuit.
Personally I prefer to keep track of my finances on a 27" screen than a 6" screen. Don't fancy editing my spreadsheets on a phone. I'm disappointed by Virgin's move. I suppose I'll have to install the app, but transferring statements from phone to PC is an unnecessary hassle for me. In the meantime I've turned paper statements back on.

After a stint providing technical support (to predominately elderly people), and watching the experiences of the huge number of elderly people I deal with in my current job, you'd also be amazed at just how difficult it is for many people to adapt to something that's "basically the same".

No banking app that I've ever used has looked exactly the same as the desktop site. Many, many people will be unable to comprehend the differences between them, no matter how hard they try. It may be hard to grasp if you haven't experienced it, but a huge number of us will face a similar deterioration in brain function in later life.

That being said, I don't particularly expect private companies to be compelled to have online banking - as long as an alternative exists. Ideally, for many other reasons as well, a state-run bank should probably be an option.

On a personal level, it's very irritating that I can only access one card in the app. They keep claiming you'll be able to add another one "soon", but if they turn off internet banking before then I won't be at all happy!

callum9999

Chrysalis said:

I think phones are inherently insecure, I expect virgin money have had some security issues in desktop browsers hence their new policy.
A solution might be to run android in an emulator just for the app, so its isolated in a sandbox.

I thought the general consensus was that banking apps are generally more secure? Far less likely to have viruses, the app itself is better protected from any potential viruses present on the phone, you're less likely to have remote access scams and the bank can insist the phones are password protected whereas internet banking can't.