Stupid, Stupid Barclays
or - "A rant about Convergence, or lack thereof"
Right, if you're reading this and you have any idea of the kind of person I am, you know how I feel about my mobile phone. You know I love it, you know I'm never far from it and you know that above all, if I could, I'd use it for just about everything.
This last point is the kicker for me.
To give you a rough idea of what I'm talking about, here are just some of the things I use my phone for:
- My Contacts/Address Book
- My Calendar/Diary
- Gaming
- Internet
- MP3/Music Player
- Camera
- Video Camera
- Directions/Maps/GPS
- TV/Video Player
- Blogging
- Micro-Blogging
- Tube Map
- Instant Messaging
- Etc, etc...
Because I carry my N95 8GB (pictured above, right) in my pocket, quite a small
device take note, I don't have to carry an iPod, a Nintendo, a TV, a Camera, a TomTom, a PC, a map... it goes on;
All of these things (and many others) are no longer in my pockets thanks to this one handy little handset.
Why? Well this is, in part, dowm to the innovation of the team at Nokia.
However it is also mainly down to my own personal preference. Nokia have enabled me to do all these things and have since empowered me to stop carrying all of these other devices.
I don't like carrying lots of things in my pockets. At best, I will leave the house with my keys, my phone and my bankcard. Only those three items.
Right then. Keeping all the above in mind, let's direct our attention for a moment to this thing:
Is it... My First Calculator?
Is it a the latest toy from The Early Learning Centre?
Is it, per chance, a new phone maybe?
No. No. And No.
That, there, is Barclays 'PIN Sentry'.
Excusing the ridiculous name for a second, let's take a look at what it's for.
Any time I want to log into MY internet banking, I have to put my Debit Card into that contraption, enter my PIN number and then, and only then, will my bank allow me to log into MY account.
First up, the whole sodding point of having internet banking, to my mind, is so that I can access my account from anywhere where there is INTERNET. Until they truly crack mobile internet banking (and trust me - on the basis of this - they are a long way off) then this really is the only option.for anyone wanting to access their account anywhere... (short of actually going into a branch, but really, does anyone do that anymore?).
Second, I get the whole security aspect of it all, but really, I mean really I already have a unique 12 digit number, 8 digit secret password AND a five digit passcode. DO I really NEED more security? Surely there has to be line drawn between security to entry and barriers to entry right?!
...Sigh...
Next point - it is clear, from the points laid out above, that I LIKE convergence. I want one device to do everything for me...
...Of convergence, I am a fan.
I do not want to be carrying that stupid, stupid piece of plastic around with me everywhere I go just in case I might want to log in to my internet banking. Idiots. Really.
Just no joined-up thinking whatsoever.
Finally... This post has been a long time coming, Barclays started introducing this towards the end of last year, (as did a few other banks, so I've been told), so I apologise if it seems a bit late in the day as it were... But yes, the final point -
I've actually spoken to Barclays and I've outlined my point of view. As a result, I have now been opted-out of this new system and my PIN Sentry is happily gathering dust in a draw somewhere in my room.
WOO!
If you're a Barclays customer and you find this whole idea completely absurd then I would urge you to do the same.
Call your bank, tell them they're idiots and get yourself opted out... the opportunity cost of this, just so you know, means that you will be unable to set up any 'new payees'. I'm happy to live with this, don't often pay new people and if and when the situation does arise I simply call the bank and get them to do it for me.
Here endeth the rant.
........
On a lighter note - have been working my backside off lately, (super exciting new project for SpinVox), so next weekend I'm going to head off down to Pilton to a little music festival you may've heard of...
Next weekend I'm headed back to Glastonbury.
And I can't WAIT!
Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!
Read about my Glastonbury Mobile Geek plans over on SMS Text News and yes, you guessed it, just like last year, I'll be blogging the whole thing from my mobile phone, (although I doubt very much I'll be doing any internet banking).
;)
Comments
Planning using that strategy with Natwest! I have the same PIN contraption but it is only for certain transactions within online banking. Don't ask
Natwest has a mobile banking application but it only worked when I downloaded it, it refuses to work with my wifi. I have emailed/called customer services but they do not know anything about it
But there are ways around it - have you seen EMUE? You don't have to go for the expensive option of a card with embedded sentry; there's a small java applet that you can download to your phone which then would take the place of the PIN Sentry. Cost is remarkably low for a significant increase in security.
Wait till you want to use your card in a non-UK cash point. You now have to contact Barclays in advance, telling them the country you'll be in and the dates you'll be there. It can't be active for 2 countries at a time so if for instance you were holidaying on the Swiss/French border you'd need to pick one side to get your money on!
This service will let you do some of the things that you are trying to do online and because of the fact that its on your handset then no need for the toy.
The sad news is that even the Americans get this.
Things are changing and at the moment the Mobile Money Forum are looking for a P-2-P platform that replaces cheques.
I'm with First Direct and can access my online banking via my iPod Touch. Unbelievable (and very handy on several occasions already!)
Anything that reduces the number of gadgets I need to carry with me gets gold stars...