Natwest card reader - can we live without it?

OceanSound

As it says on the title 'Can we really (live without it)?'

Recently when using the natwest online banking website, I was offered the option to order one, I just cancelled out of it. 

On searching Natwest bank support pages, I can see: 

"Do I always need my card-reader when I bank online?

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To keep your account secure, you may need to use a card reader to confirm your identity when logging into Online Banking.

In Online Banking, you'll also need a card reader to:

set up a payee

make a payment for the first time 

update any regular payments, like standing orders

update personal details, like your mobile number, PIN, email address or password

manage your activity alerts

Alternatively you may be eligible to use your biometrics on your mobile app."

Notice how it says 'may'. So it's not a definite.

Interestingly, today while using Nationwide online banking, I tried doing a payment from Nationwide current account to Halifax current account. it wasn't a new payee. Payee had been setup long ago and many payment out's done. Today's payment was for about  £1700. The payment Process prompted me to use card reader. Before going ahead, I tried to do the same payment using Nationwide mobile app, but that payment too prompted for card reader. So, I went ahead and did the whole insert debit card into card reader, enter passcode/pincode (or whatever it's called), amount, part account number of payee and then got the code to enter on website. 

So, I'd say the same would apply for Natwest too and there will be occasions when we do need the card reader. Can anyone confirm?

I read on another thread that card reader's are interchangeable. i.e. card reader from one bank can be used with another. e.g. natwest one used with Nationwide:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/77014670/#Comment_77014670

According to this post: 

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/77021196/#Comment_77021196

Nationwide card reader should work with Natwest. So, I'm wondering do I really need to order the Natwest card reader or can I give it a miss and use the nationwide card reader for Natwest? 

p.s. as per the post: https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/77021196/#Comment_77021196

It should be possible, but that post is from 2020. Maybe natwest has changed their system and now it is not possible to use a card reader from another bank. So if anyone has recent experience in using a Natiowide card reader with Natwest please holler.

DullGreyGuy

Doesnt the natwest mobile app have a function to act like the card reader for when you are using the online banking? Both our Barclays and HSBC apps do. https://supportcentre.natwest.com/Banking-from-home/Make-Payments/Payments-Getting-Started/913226282/I-don-t-have-a-card-reader-how-can-I-make-a-payment.htm seems to suggest Natwest does.

OceanSound

DullGreyGuy said:

Doesnt the natwest mobile app have a function to act like the card reader for when you are using the online banking? Both our Barclays and HSBC apps do. https://supportcentre.natwest.com/Banking-from-home/Make-Payments/Payments-Getting-Started/913226282/I-don-t-have-a-card-reader-how-can-I-make-a-payment.htm seems to suggest Natwest does.

Yes, but under 'Mobile Banking' it says this:

You don't need a card-reader if you use our Mobile Banking app. You can make payments of up to £1000 by using the account number and sort code of the person or company you want to pay.

You can make up to 5 payments each working day subject to the £1000 limit, or 20 payments over 4 working days.

You can also make payments of up to £250 through the Pay Your Contacts feature on our Mobile Banking app.

Does that £1000 limit only apply to a new payee (a payee that is not already setup)?

I suppose to make a payment of over £1000 (either one payment or up to five totalling £1000) within a working day I would still need the card reader

edit: just setup a new payee to my nationwide current account using Natwest mobile app. when you setup the payment there is a link 'View your limit'. I tapped on it and it says 'daily limit' is £5000. before the payment was sent, I went through biometric approval. Had to to do selfie (blink for approval).

soulsaver

At least one bank had a process where you had to order a card reader to activate the card reader process.
But after ordering their card reader you could use any similar (Gemalto) one, Tesco, Nationwide etc. 

I don't recall which bank but could have been NatWest/RBS/Ulster 
eta Gemalto spelling correction

AstonSmith

soulsaver said:

At least one bank had a process where you had to order a card reader to activate the card reader process.
But after ordering their card reader you could use any similar (Gamello) one, Tesco, Nationwide etc. 

I don't recall which bank but could have been NatWest/RBS/Ulster 

Yes, I'm 99.9% sure you're correct, that it's NatWest (group) that require you to have ordered a card reader before they'll allow you to use one.

NatWest cards definitely work in most other banks' readers (have done so myself).

RG2015

AstonSmith said:

soulsaver said:

At least one bank had a process where you had to order a card reader to activate the card reader process.
But after ordering their card reader you could use any similar (Gamello) one, Tesco, Nationwide etc. 

I don't recall which bank but could have been NatWest/RBS/Ulster 

Yes, I'm 99.9% sure you're correct, that it's NatWest (group) that require you to have ordered a card reader before they'll allow you to use one.

NatWest cards definitely work in most other banks' readers (have done so myself).

Have you successfully used a NatWest card reader for Barclays PIN Sentry?

WillPS

RG2015 said:

AstonSmith said:

soulsaver said:

At least one bank had a process where you had to order a card reader to activate the card reader process.
But after ordering their card reader you could use any similar (Gamello) one, Tesco, Nationwide etc. 

I don't recall which bank but could have been NatWest/RBS/Ulster 

Yes, I'm 99.9% sure you're correct, that it's NatWest (group) that require you to have ordered a card reader before they'll allow you to use one.

NatWest cards definitely work in most other banks' readers (have done so myself).

Have you successfully used a NatWest card reader for Barclays PIN Sentry?

I'm not @AstonSmith but I have used every physical card reader I've been sent interchangably, including that combination. PINsentry is just a brand, nothing different about the underlying tech (much like a Lloyds Cashpoint is just an ATM).

It's just the single purpose fobs that have no use other than for the specific bank who issued it, I think it's just HSBC Group (who issue one if you don't use their app) and Triodos who use these now though.

OceanSound

Geez!, just dawned on me. 

Why am I asking if anyone else has used nationwide card reader with natwest. 

I have nationwide card reader. I have natwest debit card.  I can test it myself

Doh!.

DullGreyGuy

OceanSound said:

Geez!, just dawned on me. 

Why am I asking if anyone else has used nationwide card reader with natwest. 

I have nationwide card reader. I have natwest debit card.  I can test it myself

Doh!.

Maybe you thought it could wipe your card or explode or something?

WillPS said:
I'm not @AstonSmith but I have used every physical card reader I've been sent interchangably, including that combination. PINsentry is just a brand, nothing different about the underlying tech (much like a Lloyds Cashpoint is just an ATM).

Fully agree the vast majority are interchangable, clearly banks have just bought technology rather than trying to invent something themselves, however I am fairly sure one combination of card reader and other bank card didnt work several years ago... these days havent used a physical card reader in donkeys years.

OceanSound

DullGreyGuy said:

OceanSound said:

Geez!, just dawned on me. 

Why am I asking if anyone else has used nationwide card reader with natwest. 

I have nationwide card reader. I have natwest debit card.  I can test it myself

Doh!.

Maybe you thought it could wipe your card or explode or something?

WillPS said:
I'm not @AstonSmith but I have used every physical card reader I've been sent interchangably, including that combination. PINsentry is just a brand, nothing different about the underlying tech (much like a Lloyds Cashpoint is just an ATM).

Fully agree the vast majority are interchangable, clearly banks have just bought technology rather than trying to invent something themselves, however I am fairly sure one combination of card reader and other bank card didnt work several years ago... these days havent used a physical card reader in donkeys years.

I tried setting up a new payee to my Monzo account for £100 through Natwest Online banking with the intention of using natwest debit card with nationwide card reader if prompted. It gave me message 'You may need your mobile app (or card reader) if you're paying someone.'

Never asked for card reader. Only that I approve the payment using mobile app in 4 minutes. 

I don't know if card reader is needed if I attempted a larger payment (for new payee).

soulsaver

OceanSound said:

Geez!, just dawned on me. 

Why am I asking if anyone else has used nationwide card reader with natwest. 

I have nationwide card reader. I have natwest debit card.  I can test it myself

Doh!.

Note if the process is still the same, it won't work unless you've ordered a card reader. And IIRC the process is not instantly available, maybe overnight at least.