Bank account access/ contactless

pennyforthem

I had my non-contactless card changed over a year ago to contactless because of this and health problems I have not accessed my accounts for over a year. I was told at the time that the only card available was contactless, then I read in the mail that they could actually switch off this ability, rendering it non-contactless. I finally went to my bank to ask them the other day, first they told me again there was no non-contactless cards available and after saying about the mail article he said they can reduce the amount to £10 or something. Still of no interest to me.I do not have any other method to access my bank account nor my help to buy ISA which I am now not receiving statements for because I could not put any money into it.

My question is, as it's their card, and they can do whatever they want with it, can they really leave me with no other means to access my accounts? Shouldn't I be provided with a book or something? The only thing I can think of is to cut the card, destroying the contactless facility put some money in my ISA and then that's that problem solved for a year.

eskbanker

What's your objection to contactless cards?

To answer your question, I don't believe that any specific methods of access are mandated by law or regulation, and have little doubt that a Daily Mail story would be riddled with inaccuracies or omissions, but which particular bank are you with?

Ayr_Rage

@pennyforthem please clarify why you think it stops you accessing your funds.

Your contactless card will work in an ATM just like any other chip and pin card if you need cash.

Contactless payment is in addition to the normal features, allowing you to pay without inserting the card into a terminal, you always have the option to put your card in an enter your PIN.

As long as it has the usual 16 digits, start and expiry dates and a CVV code it can be used online just like any other bank card.

You are here on t'internet so you could also fund an ISA by a direct transfer using internet banking or an app on a mobile phone.

GingerTim

eskbanker said:

What's your objection to contactless cards?

To answer your question, I don't believe that any specific methods of access are mandated by law or regulation, and have little doubt that a Daily Mail story would be riddled with inaccuracies or omissions, but which particular bank are you with?

Perhaps the OP means to refer to something like the facility to turn off contactless functionality in a banking app, such as offered by Santander? But yes, not surprised the picture is confused by a Mail article!

born_again

pennyforthem said:

I had my non-contactless card changed over a year ago to contactless because of this and health problems I have not accessed my accounts for over a year. I was told at the time that the only card available was contactless, then I read in the mail that they could actually switch off this ability, rendering it non-contactless. I finally went to my bank to ask them the other day, first they told me again there was no non-contactless cards available and after saying about the mail article he said they can reduce the amount to £10 or something. Still of no interest to me.I do not have any other method to access my bank account nor my help to buy ISA which I am now not receiving statements for because I could not put any money into it.

My question is, as it's their card, and they can do whatever they want with it, can they really leave me with no other means to access my accounts? Shouldn't I be provided with a book or something? The only thing I can think of is to cut the card, destroying the contactless facility put some money in my ISA and then that's that problem solved for a year.

You need to access your account on a regular basis to pick up any issues.

There is no more risk of fraud on contactless, as non contactless. So long as you do not lose card.

Have to wonder how OP manages for funds given not accessing account for a year? Given THEIR choice not to use account. NOT the banks.
Where does ISA fit into this?

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head

Hello OP

Probably need to say what bank you are with, a quick Google suggests a few banks allow you to turn off or "freeze" the contactless option and Lloyds says you can ask for a card that doesn't have it but options seem to vary by bank. 

sheramber

How does  a contactless card prevent you paying money into your accounts?


A contactless card allows you to pay for goods or withdraw money from an ATM without inserting your PIN.

You do not have to use contactless. You can always insert your card and put your PIN in?

Over £100 you have to put your PIN in.


Perhaps if you tell us how you are  wanting to do someone can help you.

Are you wanting to deposit cash?

Are you wanting to transfer money from one account to another?

Brie

Most, if not all, banks will have the facility to turn off contactless for a specific account should they choose to. 

Generally this will be because they believe that someone has falsely said that their contactless card has been used without their permission, i.e. they've been scanned while walking down the high street, incorrectly paid for someone else's shopping or similar.  These things are remarkedly rare but if a customer claims this a couple of times then the bank will, mostly for it's own protection, turn off the contactless function for that card. 

Why they do not publicly offer this to anyone who wants it is beyond me.

But what this has to do with using an ATM or accessing an ISA is a complete mystery.

Phoenix72

I suspect an element of believing all the scare stories about contactless despite millions of us having zero issues with it on a daily basis.

Sounds like OP genuinely believes a current account contactless card is going to be somehow linked to their ISA and the ISA funds would be at risk?

Tell us who you bank with and may be able to tell you how to turn contactless off.

penners324

If you can use MSE Forum you can use Internet or app banking.

So you do have access to your accounts, you're choosing nor to use those methods.

Rob5342

I don't understand what the problem is. A contactless card will be linked to your current account, not your ISA. Contactless controlls differ by bank but you can often reduce the limit or turn off contactless completely in your banking app. I don't see how they are leaving you with no means to access your account, you should be able to do everything in the app or online banking,