by Workingman » 04 Aug 2021, 17:20
Saundra the process is easy and (relatively) safe but for setting it up you will probably need some help from someone who is savvy with such things as passwords and phone SMS (text) authentication.
For example with Yorkshire Bank I need:
* a strong password - 10 characters or more of upper and lower case letters, special characters and numbers
* customer number provided by the bank at registration
* a phone to receive one-time passcode texts
* six digit PIN - not your card PIN, it is one you create for payment authentication
* answers to three random questions - dog's favourite food sort of thing.
I cannot possibly remember all of those details so they are kept in a hidden file on my laptop.
Other banks will be similar. I keep the login page in my bookmarks.
To login I first have to give my customer number. I am then asked for three random characters from my password - 2-5-9 etc, it changes every time. I then receive a six digit passcode on my phone and that also needs to be entered. If everything is correct I am in.
Once I am in it is simply a case of clicking links and following instructions to set up DDs, SOs, reading statements and so on.
If I am making online payments to a store the authentication is to give three random characters from my PIN and answer one of my questions. It only usually happens to the first payment with any store.
It all sounds a bit complicated but once used a few times it becomes second nature. It might help if Liv, or someone you trust, could give you a walk-through on your first few attempts.