Post by westcountryfunder on Dec 19, 2021 12:32:52 GMT
Quite entertaining to read the Cynergy Bank Digipass thread. That bank and Investec have recently risen to the top of the instant access 'best buys', so I have had a look at Investec hoping that its red tape might be less onerous than that of Cynergy.
In order to apply there are some apparently straightforward requirements including
> I have my photocard driving licence or passport ready
> I have a smartphone with a UK mobile number
I do have an entry level smartphone which I use grudgingly, but I am happier with an ancient Nokia mobile (very compact and convenient) just for calls and texts. On the face of it the mobile was to be used for the now commonplace sending of a one-time passcode in order to log-on, so OK that's acceptable to me. But there was more to it than that.
The smartphone is used during the application process in order to photograph the passport or driving licence, plus taking a 'selfie' in order to verify your identity. My android smartphone, a massive two years old, is android 8.1, but that won't do - must be 9.0 (or later presumably. I don't know about iphones). The modest technology on this basic phone won't update beyond 8.1. The browser on your compliant phone cannot be Firefox, but google-chrome is OK. You cannot use a scanned image of your passport - must be an actual photo. Only discovered this via a 'live chat' with the bank's staff. None of this info was available before starting the process.
Oh! and google-chrome on your laptop won't do, neither for passport photo nor the selfie - only a compliant smartphone will do. The reason for this escapes me entirely. I had to do something similar when applying for access to my NHS COVID pass on-line, but I was not forced to use a smartphone. The Firefox web browser on my laptop was just fine for the selfie, and the process didn't object to a scanned passport image.
I complained on-line to Investec about their ham-fisted and bureaucratic/inflexible procedures. I received a prompt reply (which is about the only plus point I can award), which in addition to mentioning my right to approach the Financial Ombudsman, drew attention to their complaints procedure which includes this remarkable statement:
"A member of our team will investigate the complaint promptly, thoroughly and impartially within a reasonable time ... ". (My emphasis and underlining).
Well, I just wonder how an employee of the bank, paid by the bank, and probably totally reliant on the bank for their income, can be IMPARTIAL. I don't think that's credible, and quite possibly grounds in itself for a complaint to the Ombudsman. I don't think I can be bothered with such unaccommodating people. Anyway, base rate having just increased, I think I'll wait for a while.
I'm no technophobe, but this obsession with smartphones is unnecessary and objectionable when there are other methods which work securely and just fine. As a matter of policy, reasonable choice should be available.
In order to apply there are some apparently straightforward requirements including
> I have my photocard driving licence or passport ready
> I have a smartphone with a UK mobile number
I do have an entry level smartphone which I use grudgingly, but I am happier with an ancient Nokia mobile (very compact and convenient) just for calls and texts. On the face of it the mobile was to be used for the now commonplace sending of a one-time passcode in order to log-on, so OK that's acceptable to me. But there was more to it than that.
The smartphone is used during the application process in order to photograph the passport or driving licence, plus taking a 'selfie' in order to verify your identity. My android smartphone, a massive two years old, is android 8.1, but that won't do - must be 9.0 (or later presumably. I don't know about iphones). The modest technology on this basic phone won't update beyond 8.1. The browser on your compliant phone cannot be Firefox, but google-chrome is OK. You cannot use a scanned image of your passport - must be an actual photo. Only discovered this via a 'live chat' with the bank's staff. None of this info was available before starting the process.
Oh! and google-chrome on your laptop won't do, neither for passport photo nor the selfie - only a compliant smartphone will do. The reason for this escapes me entirely. I had to do something similar when applying for access to my NHS COVID pass on-line, but I was not forced to use a smartphone. The Firefox web browser on my laptop was just fine for the selfie, and the process didn't object to a scanned passport image.
I complained on-line to Investec about their ham-fisted and bureaucratic/inflexible procedures. I received a prompt reply (which is about the only plus point I can award), which in addition to mentioning my right to approach the Financial Ombudsman, drew attention to their complaints procedure which includes this remarkable statement:
"A member of our team will investigate the complaint promptly, thoroughly and impartially within a reasonable time ... ". (My emphasis and underlining).
Well, I just wonder how an employee of the bank, paid by the bank, and probably totally reliant on the bank for their income, can be IMPARTIAL. I don't think that's credible, and quite possibly grounds in itself for a complaint to the Ombudsman. I don't think I can be bothered with such unaccommodating people. Anyway, base rate having just increased, I think I'll wait for a while.
I'm no technophobe, but this obsession with smartphones is unnecessary and objectionable when there are other methods which work securely and just fine. As a matter of policy, reasonable choice should be available.
