Smart phones and not feeling comfy with apps & getting banking apps

Username03725

Hi.

You say you're confident using online banking, so there's no reason to be more wary of using an app to do effectively the same thing. Banks put great store in their security and from their point of view - I'm simplifying things a bit - there's no good reason for them to create apps that aren't at least as good as the online version, in terms of security and access.

What you're effectively using is a front end to access your data held on the banks systems, and that access is tightly controlled whether online or via the app. In simple terms you're choosing which interface you prefer to see and control your accounts. The programmers & analysts who design & build this stuff are keen to build these things to the highest standards available at the time, so you don't need to worry that a phone app is intrinsically worse than the online equivalent. 

You still have a responsibility; not to leave your phone lying around, to have a secure PIN and biometric access to to the phone etc, but there's a reason phone contactless payments are effectively unlimited and cards have a £100 limit. 

One last thing: you say you're not sure what apps are on or off on your new phone. Get your kids / grandkids to show you the difference between Minimised and Closed; there's a difference between the two. I've not yet seen a banking app that doesn't automatically log out after a period of inactivity anyway.

Enjoy it all. It's easy, and makes life easier.

diystarter7

Username03725 said:

Hi.

You say you're confident using online banking, so there's no reason to be more wary of using an app to do effectively the same thing. Banks put great store in their security and from their point of view - I'm simplifying things a bit - there's no good reason for them to create apps that aren't at least as good as the online version, in terms of security and access.

What you're effectively using is a front end to access your data held on the banks systems, and that access is tightly controlled whether online or via the app. In simple terms you're choosing which interface you prefer to see and control your accounts. The programmers & analysts who design & build this stuff are keen to build these things to the highest standards available at the time, so you don't need to worry that a phone app is intrinsically worse than the online equivalent. 

You still have a responsibility; not to leave your phone lying around, to have a secure PIN and biometric access to to the phone etc, but there's a reason phone contactless payments are effectively unlimited and cards have a £100 limit. 

One last thing: you say you're not sure what apps are on or off on your new phone. Get your kids / grandkids to show you the difference between Minimised and Closed; there's a difference between the two. I've not yet seen a banking app that doesn't automatically log out after a period of inactivity anyway.

Enjoy it all. It's easy, and makes life easier.

Hi
Thnak you.

I'm hot on being safe with passwords and my possessions and will avoid using the phone in public or turn my back against the wall and stand againt it to check the mobile etc

Thank you all I have decided to go for it within 2/3 weeks as I've not really used the phonen and will start playing around with it every day and then master the app. 

Reading barclays website - it is secure and as you said, as long as i am careful and very sensible with looking after the phone and especialyl the passwords etc, any problmes should be covered.

Btw, if anyones mobile is lost or stolen, rather than call the mobile people, I call my bank first to cancell the cards etc

Thnaks again

Alderbank

I agree with all the positive benefits stated by others above.
Security seems very good, they are easy to use and give extra features not available on the web.

For example, you mention calling the bank to cancel lost cards. My banking app lets me instantly switch off any cards I have mislaid, no faffing about with security and passwords on a phone call. Further, if I find the mislaid card I can just as easily switch it on again. I can also permanently shut down a card, request a new one and block a PIN number from the app.

You mention you and Mrsdiy sharing a phone. That might be a problem. Banking apps are designed on the assumption that only one person uses that phone and they will have a hissy fit if they suspect the phone is being used by anyone other than their expected user. A good security feature but something to check out.

Neil49

diystarter7 said:

Thnaks guys but I'd like to stick with the bank we are with ie Barclauys

Thinking about it, may give them a call in a day or two and ask them questions re safety/secuirty etc

All help appreciated

Thnaks

If you want to be really safe then the best option is not to have the Barclays app on your phone at all. 

Flaneurs Lobster (above) has the right idea with opening a separate account with someone like Starling or Monzo as using such an account for day to day transactions on your phone completely protects your main bank account should your phone be stolen etc.

I use Monzo for all my shopping etc and just top up the balance from my main bank account (Lloyds) to keep around £100 in it. Transactions are reported instantly and you can adjust the contactless limit as you wish. My Lloyds bank debit card is in a drawer at home and has never been used.

Finally, for additional security set up a completely different email address for your bank accounts and use it for no other purpose. This means that any bogus bank messages to your normal email address can be ignored. 

diystarter7

Neil49 said:

diystarter7 said:

Thnaks guys but I'd like to stick with the bank we are with ie Barclauys

Thinking about it, may give them a call in a day or two and ask them questions re safety/secuirty etc

All help appreciated

Thnaks

If you want to be really safe then the best option is not to have the Barclays app on your phone at all. 

Flaneurs Lobster (above) has the right idea with opening a separate account with someone like Starling or Monzo as using such an account for day to day transactions on your phone completely protects your main bank account should your phone be stolen etc.

I use Monzo for all my shopping etc and just top up the balance from my main bank account (Lloyds) to keep around £100 in it. Transactions are reported instantly and you can adjust the contactless limit as you wish. My Lloyds bank debit card is in a drawer at home and has never been used.

Finally, for additional security set up a completely different email address for your bank accounts and use it for no other purpose. This means that any bogus bank messages to your normal email address can be ignored. 

Hi
Thank you
I am considering all options but weighed towards just the barcalys app.
Appreciated

facade

The reason I don't use a banking app on my phone is in case I lose the phone, have it stolen, or just sit on it and break it in half (actually, I broke one in half leaning over a table with it in my trouser pocket) as I would then be locked out of my account.

I'm with the Hong Kong & Shanghai, and the 2FA code for interweb banking comes from a little keypad dongle that never leaves my house, BUT according to the bank- when I had that Old Fogies Courtesy call as their effort for Deadly Covid, setting up the 'phone app kills the dongle, as the 2FA device becomes the 'phone (the one I won't have access to.......)

One of my friends had thousands taken from his account because the criminals got his mobile provider to give them a PAC code and they ported his number to their phone so all the banking 2FA codes went to them, which is even more reason to stick with the keypad dongle.

diystarter7

facade said:

The reason I don't use a banking app on my phone is in case I lose the phone, have it stolen, or just sit on it and break it in half (actually, I broke one in half leaning over a table with it in my trouser pocket) as I would then be locked out of my account.

I'm with the Hong Kong & Shanghai, and the 2FA code for interweb banking comes from a little keypad dongle that never leaves my house, BUT according to the bank- when I had that Old Fogies Courtesy call as their effort for Deadly Covid, setting up the 'phone app kills the dongle, as the 2FA device becomes the 'phone (the one I won't have access to.......)

One of my friends had thousands taken from his account because the criminals got his mobile provider to give them a PAC code and they ported his number to their phone so all the banking 2FA codes went to them, which is even more reason to stick with the keypad dongle.

Hi
Thnak you

Are you not able to retain your online account as well?

If my phone was lost, stolen etc, I would call the bank straight away when possible.

Helpful info, something to be aware of

My plan is to try it out

Thnaks

facade

diystarter7 said:

facade said:

The reason I don't use a banking app on my phone is in case I lose the phone, have it stolen, or just sit on it and break it in half (actually, I broke one in half leaning over a table with it in my trouser pocket) as I would then be locked out of my account.

I'm with the Hong Kong & Shanghai, and the 2FA code for interweb banking comes from a little keypad dongle that never leaves my house, BUT according to the bank- when I had that Old Fogies Courtesy call as their effort for Deadly Covid, setting up the 'phone app kills the dongle, as the 2FA device becomes the 'phone (the one I won't have access to.......)

One of my friends had thousands taken from his account because the criminals got his mobile provider to give them a PAC code and they ported his number to their phone so all the banking 2FA codes went to them, which is even more reason to stick with the keypad dongle.

Hi
Thnak you

Are you not able to retain your online account as well?

If my phone was lost, stolen etc, I would call the bank straight away when possible.

Helpful info, something to be aware of

My plan is to try it out

Thnaks

Yes, the online account still works, but the mobile becomes the security device for it, so you can't use it if you don't have access to the phone.

I've never needed to access my bank account on a 'phone up to now...

diystarter7

facade said:

diystarter7 said:

facade said:

The reason I don't use a banking app on my phone is in case I lose the phone, have it stolen, or just sit on it and break it in half (actually, I broke one in half leaning over a table with it in my trouser pocket) as I would then be locked out of my account.

I'm with the Hong Kong & Shanghai, and the 2FA code for interweb banking comes from a little keypad dongle that never leaves my house, BUT according to the bank- when I had that Old Fogies Courtesy call as their effort for Deadly Covid, setting up the 'phone app kills the dongle, as the 2FA device becomes the 'phone (the one I won't have access to.......)

One of my friends had thousands taken from his account because the criminals got his mobile provider to give them a PAC code and they ported his number to their phone so all the banking 2FA codes went to them, which is even more reason to stick with the keypad dongle.

Hi
Thnak you

Are you not able to retain your online account as well?

If my phone was lost, stolen etc, I would call the bank straight away when possible.

Helpful info, something to be aware of

My plan is to try it out

Thnaks

Yes, the online account still works, but the mobile becomes the security device for it, so you can't use it if you don't have access to the phone.

I've never needed to access my bank account on a 'phone up to now...

Thanks

I spent an hour with my prem barclays people today and i am a bit confused as i thought i could use it with pin reader. However, thank you and I am aware you are giving the best info you have about bank apps genrally and I will take my on risks etc

Two minded if to go for the app today and test the waters - i will be usinng the text phone number on the barclays sit to get app to be on the safer side.

Appreciated

J_B

facade said:

The reason I don't use a banking app on my phone is in case I lose the phone, have it stolen, or just sit on it and break it in half (actually, I broke one in half leaning over a table with it in my trouser pocket) as I would then be locked out of my account.

If I lose my phone, the finder firstly had to unlock it with the code I have set. They then have to open the banking app and log in using the password that I have set.

if I break it, I can log in to my banking on my PC, with the correct log in details.