Natwest card reader - can we live without it?

OceanSound

soulsaver 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!.

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. 

Also, I read on the thread mentioned in the OP that natwest can get spooked if you try to use a card reader 'too soon' before the natwest one had time to arrive at your address. 

RG2015

WillPS said:

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.

Excellent, and many thanks.

I have several NatWest and Nationwide readers and a new Barclays debit card but as yet no PIN. I just wasn't sure about the PIN Sentry technology. 

[Deleted User]

The token technology is built-into the chip in the debit card.

The readers are generic with Lloyds issuing the same design as Barclays but with Lloyds branding (on business accounts only).

Lloyds personal debit cards have the token functionality too but it's not used. 

ColdPensioner

The card readers are interchangeable between banks (or at least mine are), so no need if you already have one.

If it's free, take it. If they want to charge, change banks! 

WillPS

Deleted_User said:

The token technology is built-into the chip in the debit card.

The readers are generic with Lloyds issuing the same design as Barclays but with Lloyds branding (on business accounts only).

Lloyds personal debit cards have the token functionality too but it's not used. 

This is interesting, thank you. HSBC cards appear to activate it too, I learned recently that some credit card customers are sent a card reader, including JLFS ones.

phillw

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 (Gemalto) one, Tesco, Nationwide etc. 

Natwest made me wait until a number of days had passed for the card reader to be delivered, before it would let me use another card reader..

I always use the correct one now as I had a card locked by using the wrong one.

TheBanker

I have Natwest and Nationwide accounts and I have card readers for both banks. They can be used interchangeably. I keep one upstairs and one downstairs, and use which ever is closest. 

I can't remember when I last used a card reader for Natwest - if I need to authenticate a payment I usually do it through the mobile app using face biometrics. Nationwide seem to ask for theirs a bit more frequently.

Section62

Natwest kindly gave me an "Online Banking Card" to use with the card reader when they introduced 2FA.

I'd switched my current account away and only have a savings account with them.

OceanSound

ColdPensioner said:

The card readers are interchangeable between banks (or at least mine are), so no need if you already have one.

If it's free, take it. If they want to charge, change banks! 

phillw 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 (Gemalto) one, Tesco, Nationwide etc. 

Natwest made me wait until a number of days had passed for the card reader to be delivered, before it would let me use another card reader..

I always use the correct one now as I had a card locked by using the wrong one.

Decided to order one in case I needed to do a big payment and Natwest throws a curve ball and asked me to use the card reader (not the app biometrics). I've noticed occasionally that when I log in to the Natwest app in the part of the world where I'm now in the morning, it says 'under maintenance' (because in UK it's about 2 am).

Wonder if in this kind of scenario, if I chose to use online banking to do the payment (laptop or computer - as the app is doing maintenance and offline), the payment out process would prompt for card reader?

My nationwide card reader has been around for ages. No idea how the battery is doing. Pretty sure the battery can't be replaced. So, once Natwest card reader arrives, even if the Nationwide one conks out, I can use the natwest one with nationwide. 

BTW as you said (about making you wait number of days), when I ordered the Natwest card reader a message appeared on screen:

Your card reader had been ordered. it'll usually take 3 to 5 days to arrive but please allow up to 7. You'll need to enable your card reader in Online Banking when you get it

p.s. yes. it's free to order. There was no indication that there will be a fee.

Section62

OceanSound said:

My nationwide card reader has been around for ages. No idea how the battery is doing. Pretty sure the battery can't be replaced. So, once Natwest card reader arrives, even if the Nationwide one conks out, I can use the natwest one with nationwide. 

The reader will tell you "Low battery" when it is heading towards running out, then "No Power".  Even then, if you warm the reader up a bit there is usually sufficient energy left to use the reader dozens of times more.

The batteries are replaceable, it takes two CR2032 type, which sit in a caddy accessed from the bottom edge of the reader. There should be a rectangular hole on the back that allows a biro or similar to be used to press a tab to release the caddy.

Alternatively, rather than spending your own money on replacement batteries (and saving electronic junk), Nationwide will send out a brand new replacement reader for free. (but won't supply replacement batteries for an existing reader.  'Green', not.)