The Banks Use Card-Readers Too

Ok so the last posts touched on the following subjects

• Creating a secure password you can remember
• The possibility of fraudsters intercepting mail from the bank
• Changing your pin number regulary
• Additional browser tools for those that use ebay and/or paypal
• Signing up to verified by visa
• Signing up to Mastercard Secure Code

This post is soley about card-readers and a list of banks that use them. The card readers issued free by the banks is a clever addition to tools used to fight fraud. Once you have setup digital banking, you can then use your card reader along with your bank card to authorise direct debits, standind orders amongst other things,online. In fact this is a brilliant piece of kit. I have to ask why people are not forced to use such a device before they can buy something online. Hmmmmmmm.

Due to increasingly sophisticated trojan software and malware in the wild the banks have had to up their game to in the fight against fraud and they have with the card reader

Rbs




This is the card reader issued by RBS, the item is free of charge and free to use and requires no conection to a computer. To recieve and use one of these you must sign up to rbs digital banking.

Common questions about this can be found here.




Nationwide card reader

This gem from nationwide stops the fraudsters in their tracks so long as you have a flexaccount VISA debit card. For every transaction made online you will need to verify the purchase with your card and card reader. Use this with verified by visa and you have exceptional fraud-prevention measures in place.
Register for Nationwide Internet banking here.
Information about the card reader is here.





Natwest card reader


If you dont have a debit card natwest will send you a internet banking card for use only with the card reader.
Debit card holders can use their debit card.

Information about the Natwest card reader can be found here.










I strongly reccomend all those that use online banking to order one of these from your respective bank.

Now i know this sounds patronising but some people will care to use such a thing once its too late. Fair enough, your loss not mine.

This method is still not foolproof as most people will not carry such a device around with them, restricting use to the home instead, still should be safer at home.