Halifax activation code for online banking

Chrysalis

So I got a halifax 0% CC to replace the barclaycard I shut down.
The pin came very quickly.
The physical card did not arrive, in addition the activation code for online banking did not arrive, unlike other banks halifax require an activation code to be sent via the post to enable online banking access.
Luckily the 0% has a 90 day period to use so as of yet I have not lost access to it.
After contacting them a week ago, a card arrived the next day, extremely quickly, the same day I also asked for a new activation code, this has still not arrived.  It is possible the card that arrived is the original one (if so it took a month to arrive), but the issue date is 1/21 so I think its the replacement card.  Sadly halifax dont date their letters.
Halifax are telling me the only way they will issue activation codes is by royal mail, they consider it secure and reliable.
I am guessing there is nothing I can do if the code doesnt arrive other than to ask for a new one again? when a new one is sent the old one is invalidated.  I expect if I over hassle them, they will just withdraw the account.

jet01

Halifax security procedures have always been an absolute nightmare. I remember when I moved house I had to go in branch twice before I managed them to unlock the website acess so I could update my address. Would do very little online due to over zealous security procedures.

[Deleted User]

jet01 said:

Halifax security procedures have always been an absolute nightmare. I remember when I moved house I had to go in branch twice before I managed them to unlock the website acess so I could update my address. Would do very little online due to people needing protecting from themselves.

Fixed that for you.

jet01

camelot1971 said:

jet01 said:

Halifax security procedures have always been an absolute nightmare. I remember when I moved house I had to go in branch twice before I managed them to unlock the website acess so I could update my address. Would do very little online due to people needing protecting from themselves.

Fixed that for you.

Absolutely not!!

What a clever little troll you are Camelot1971. In reality banks and other companies need to understand that there is a fine line between making sure systems are sufficiently secure and not making them too complex for the average customer to navigate. In the case of the Halifax they are often on the wrong side of this by being overly bureaucratic and insisting on things being posted out or done in branch that most definitely could be done safely and securely online. In my experience anyway.

It is people like Camelot1971 with these kind of facetious comments that help to perpetuate this kind of self serving behaviour from banks who are more bothered about covering their own backs than providing good customer service experiences to their customers. 

Chrysalis

Royal mail have confirmed there is major issues with covid in my area, and have raised it.
I will try and talk halifax into sending it via courier instead with me footing the cost.

Alex9384

I agree with jet01. When I opened my first Halifax account, the online banking asked my to type in some code. I thought it was something else and it locked my account. Then the letter with the code arrived. The code didn't work and I had to wait for another letter to arrive. I really wouldn't expect banks in 2018 (let alone 2021) to rely on sending codes by post. Not to mention PIN codes! Some banks show us that it works perfectly if you can simply choose your own PIN during the registration process. Super quick, super easy, saving bank's money (paper, post, some person has to send it, etc.). But no, most banks still insist on sending PINs by post.
Or relying on phone calls, like Metro bank. When you receive new debit card, you need to call them to activate it. Geez... something that can be done (at normal bank) with a single click in the app.

At least Halifax let you change your address online, unlike NatWest or TSB.

Chrysalis

Well got the code now, but also about 20 other letters, all delivered today in one go.

[Deleted User]

jet01 said:

camelot1971 said:

jet01 said:

Halifax security procedures have always been an absolute nightmare. I remember when I moved house I had to go in branch twice before I managed them to unlock the website acess so I could update my address. Would do very little online due to people needing protecting from themselves.

Fixed that for you.

Absolutely not!!

What a clever little troll you are Camelot1971. In reality banks and other companies need to understand that there is a fine line between making sure systems are sufficiently secure and not making them too complex for the average customer to navigate. In the case of the Halifax they are often on the wrong side of this by being overly bureaucratic and insisting on things being posted out or done in branch that most definitely could be done safely and securely online. In my experience anyway.

It is people like Camelot1971 with these kind of facetious comments that help to perpetuate this kind of self serving behaviour from banks who are more bothered about covering their own backs than providing good customer service experiences to their customers. 

Thanks for calling me clever. I appreciate it. I'm assuming you haven't read the thousands of threads on here where time and time again, people show they need protecting from themselves because they couldn't possibly be to blame for their own incompetence or negligence. Banks are not perfect, but they also aren't the demons that some on here are desperate to make out they are.