My bank is a sucky..err..bank?

[Kiwi]

my bank has just "updated" read "rendered useless" its online banking

not only do I have to enter my 16 digit bank card number (it used to be my 8 digit account number) I also have to enter a 7 digit password (it used to be a 4 digit pac number)

THEN I have to have a security picture that I have given a "security caption" to

THEN I have to answer a security question

THEN I have to answer a security question

THEN I have to answer a security question....

and no, Im not a record player skipping, I have to answer THREE security questions every single time and a password, my full bank card number, and describe my security picture.... ARGUGH I'd almost rather go back to sending actual cheques!!!!

this is almost as bad as the pinsentry doohicky that Barclays makes me struggle with for every flipping log in...

[JLRodgers]

That's about like my bank does.... but they've done something different:
1) Prevented firefox from saving passwords (that have to be some length.... mine's 18 characters long, but I think it could be half that)
2) made it so even if you enter your password correctly (to say nothing if you make a mistake in the box that's smaller than like 8 characters, and disables itself randomilly with javascript), you must re-validate your account info by entering your SSN, phone number, two or three security questions, possibly your account number, and may even involve a phone call to get back into your account -- about 1/10 you have to do all of them, most times you just have to do a few of them.... and the security questions? Can't change them, and they're dated questions (like what's your pet's name? [my pet at the original setup time has since died]).
3) Once you do that, the page you get to is blank -- you hacker, how dare you try to access the account!!!!
4) you then need the super-secret "refresh" to get the menu system, then you have to click on a menu item, then you have to click a menu item to go back.

Bad thing is.... the "secure" password they require can't have any special characters, has a problem if you put anything but [a-z][0-9] in it.... My password to login to my computer is more secure than that.

[Gerrinson]

It's called multifactor authentication. All of the banks around here do the same thing. It is, technically, more secure. But a pain in the ass. In fact, when my bank first started doing it, there was a problem with the last step that resulted in failure every time I tried to get in. It took a week to fix it. It was not fun.

[trunks2k]

At least they didn't ask you what your security questions are. I have a small student loan that I had to pay once every few months. For some reason, I couldn't remember the password I had put in and clicked the "request password reset" button on the login page.

In order to reset the password I had to put in my e-mail, username, the answer to my security question, and... the security question... in a free-form field.

If I can't remember my password that I use, what makes you think I'm going to remember the unconstrained security question that I NEVER use?

[Broomjockey]

I'm thankful my bank's the way it is now. It keeps a cookie on your computer, so if you say "remember me on this computer" you just need to put your password in, and BAM, you're in. If you log on from a different computer, or a different IP with the same computer (laptop, for instance), then you need to type in your card number, your password, and answer your two security questions.

However, I forgot my security question answers. Easy ones, like my address growing up. Because it needs to be character for character, and I couldn't remember if it was YYYY - XX ave, YYYY-XX ave, YYYY XX ave, or one of those with a period at the end. Oddly, it only locked me out of accessing my account from other places. I can still do it at home just fine. *Shrug*

[Kiwi]

well its all fixed now

we had an appointment with a new bank this morning, first thing I asked about was their online banking log in proceedures.

were trying to refi our mortgage and consolidate some debt into it... fingers crossed!

[Soulstealer]

As someone who's moving to the UK this September (I got into a good university) is there a bank which won't make me jump hoops and doesn't suck? This question also applies to mobile phones, broadband, and other services.

[AriRashkae]

At least they didn't ask you what your security questions are. I have a small student loan that I had to pay once every few months. For some reason, I couldn't remember the password I had put in and clicked the "request password reset" button on the login page.

In order to reset the password I had to put in my e-mail, username, the answer to my security question, and... the security question... in a free-form field.

If I can't remember my password that I use, what makes you think I'm going to remember the unconstrained security question that I NEVER use?

Yahoo is doing that to me! I've been trying to get my account back since AUGUST when they claimed my password was changed. I don't recall doing that. I can't reset online. Contact customer care. Can't find customer care contact info. File a report (finally!). No response. Dig up a phone #. Told to email account security. No response.

Lather, rinse, repeat.

Add in the fact that I have several defunct groups I own, that are only getting spam mails now, that I can't log-in to moderate or close!

: pant pant :

Nah, I'm not upset at all.

[crazylegs]

As someone who's moving to the UK this September (I got into a good university) is there a bank which won't make me jump hoops and doesn't suck? This question also applies to mobile phones, broadband, and other services.

Mobile Phones are easy, you can get Pay as You Go for not a great deal of money, pay it in cash and pre load the phone with money.

If you're looking for a contract you'll need proof of ID and address.

[draco664]

First Direct is the bank I used the last time I was in the UK. And I'll be using them again when I go back there in a few months. I agree with the poster above re mobiles, but for broadband, the only advice I have is to avoid BT.

Not just because their service is overpriced and slow (no more than a lot of poor providers), but because they are hell bent on using Phorm, to track your online usage.

[MannersMakethMan]

As someone who's moving to the UK this September (I got into a good university) is there a bank which won't make me jump hoops and doesn't suck? This question also applies to mobile phones, broadband, and other services.

First of all, congratulations on the university!

For banks, Barclays seem to have the best student accounts, but not having used them myself, I can't say very much about them. I'm with HSBC, but they tend to be meaner with their overdraft limits and will want it paid back very soon after graduation, so I'd say to avoid them.

For broadband, I've been with Virgin the last two years and not had any problems at all. They give an extremely reliable connection with quite a good speed. The only snag can be that during peak student registration season, they can take a while to install, so make sure you deal with it as soon as possible if you go with them.

For utilities, if you're in the area for them, I can't recommend Southern Electric enough. They seem to deal quite a bit with students and know what they're doing with your queries. Plus they're also a bit cheaper than average. If you're out of range, most of the other big companies are much of a muchness. Just don't go with British Gas - they haven't got a clue what customer service means

One piece of advice before any of this - check to see what the uni will cover if you're renting a property from them or staying in halls. Also, see if there are local companies who might be a bit cheaper depending on where you're going. Feel free to drop me a PM if you've got any other questions about anything. I'm in my third year of uni now, so might be able to help!

[Nimisha]

My bank recently changed it's security too, but not in a way that's insanely frustrating.

Firstly, I put in my card number, and on the next page put in my pin. Much more secure imo.

If I log in on a different computer, that's when it asks me my security questions. My home computer I only have to answer the security once in a while (maybe it's cookie based? Not sure. I can indicate if I'm on my usual computer or not).

I also have an image and a saying that appears in the corner of the log in screen after I put in my card number. This is to prove that you are logging into the bank system, not a phishing site. I don't have to respond to it, but assuming you aren't so dumb that you ignore it not being there, it's a good prevention.

At home 95% of the time logging in only takes a fraction longer because of the two screen security.

Yay BMO!

[Lehk]

It's called multifactor authentication. All of the banks around here do the same thing. It is, technically, more secure. But a pain in the ass. In fact, when my bank first started doing it, there was a problem with the last step that resulted in failure every time I tried to get in. It took a week to fix it. It was not fun.

that isn't multi factor authentication, it's just several passwords.

multi factor auth is when you combine what you know with what you have or what you are.

such as password+crypto card or password+fingerprint or password+key fob

throwing a bunch of passwords in a row just means that their support people deal with more forgotten passwords and are more likely to believe a scammer pretending to be you.

[KiaKat]

Also means people are more likely to write down all the passwords and answers to questions, and then leave them laying around, or saved on their computers.

There have been a couple articles lately about how these supposedly-more-secure authentication methods are actually worse, and simply designed as CYA efforts. Let me see if I can find one...

...

...

Ah, here we go. From Charlie Martin, reprinted at Pajamas Media.

[Sheldonrs]

I had my own bank suckage yesterday. I went to a Meridian Bank ATM to withdraw money. My bank is BofA but this was closer. I put in the card and got to the point wher eit asks if you accept the $2.00 fee. I pressed "yes" and the machine froze. I waited for about 5 minutes just in case then went into the bank to ask for my card back and to be sure the transaction is voided.
I was told they can't give me my card back. They HAVE to shred them no matter what the reason for it getting stuck in the machine. I asked her why and she said "That's just what we have to do".
How stupid is that?!!! The teller was able to go to the machine and open it to re-set it but she can't get me my card?
I had to contact BofA to get a replacement sent. Which I'll get in 7 business days. OY!!!