Mobile phone for banking purposes

EssexExile

colsten said:

TuppenceHapenny said:

I'm inclined now to follow Colsten's implied advice and forget about smart phones and just get a basic phone. I would expect it to stay next to my computer and be used only to receive the security code sent to allow online login (and to allow me to enter a legitimate mobile phone number during the account application process).

I wasn't meant to suggest a dumb mobile - I just said don't expect the benefits from using a mobile for banking to pay for a smartphone that is capable of running bank apps.

If you opt for a dumb phone, you are limiting your choice of banks, offers and/or functionality. It is possible that eligibility for offers includes the use of the bank's app.

To receive texts, and if you have WiFi, you don't need a SIM card. If you don't have WiFi, you need a SIM, and a PAYG one with minimum balance should do the job. 
Note that not all banks send texts. For example, Lloyds, Halifax, BoS, Coventry make a voice call. I think at present, these are still offering a choice of landline or mobile for their calls. Santander, Shawbrook send text massages with codes. For others, you must use their banking, or an authentication app (which won't work on dumb mobiles).


I should have mentioned that an alternative to smartphone is a tablet (such as an iPad) - and with a tablet, you could probably even do away with your laptop, as the display is (/can be) nearly as large as a laptop, so you can continue to use your favourite browser.

What number do they send the texts to?

colsten

EssexExile said:

What number do they send the texts to?

Any virtual number you got on the net

General_Grant

colsten said:

EssexExile said:

What number do they send the texts to?

Any virtual number you got on the net

I'm so dim - what does that mean?

colsten

General_Grant said:

colsten said:

EssexExile said:

What number do they send the texts to?

Any virtual number you got on the net

I'm so dim - what does that mean?

Various ways, e.g. through TextNow, google if you want to know more.

TuppenceHapenny

colsten said:

I wasn't meant to suggest a dumb mobile - I just said don't expect the benefits from using a mobile for banking to pay for a smartphone that is capable of running bank apps.

Sorry, didn't mean to read anything into your post that wasn't intended. Rather, I was inferring from it the logic that the cost of a dumb phone is so low compared to a smart phone that it's worth getting a dumb phone now because (a) it will likely let me a lot (most?) of what I want to do and (b) if I find later that I do need a smart phone (or tablet) then I haven't spent much on the dumb phone and I can still use it as some sort of backup/emergency phone. So there's nothing much to lose in just getting a cheap dumb phone now if I get the right one.

In that regard, would welcome any suggestions for suitable phone and sim to get. I've got the impression that a Three sim might be the best option because it needs the least texts to be sent to keep it activated. If so, it seems I need a 3G (or later) phone. The phone only really needs to be able to send and receive texts and maybe make and receive the occasional phone call.