michelin79 Posted March 18, 2014 Share Posted March 18, 2014 I have received an email from CA Britline stating that, from April, when I speak to them I will have to enter my account number and 6 digit personal access code on the phone's keypad (the same code which is used to access the on-line account). Am I being a little over-sensitive in thinking that this is an inherently insecure method of access? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YCCMB Posted March 18, 2014 Share Posted March 18, 2014 Inherently insecure it may be. A Scam it isn't. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idun Posted March 18, 2014 Share Posted March 18, 2014 I would be in touch with them and tell them that I am not prepared to do it that it was insecure and dangerous practice AND they should be ashamed of themselves. That is what 'I' would do! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sid Posted March 18, 2014 Share Posted March 18, 2014 I've had the same email and had a similar reaction. I can't decide how insecure it is; someone would have to tap my phone in order to record the account and security codes. So that's just the staff at GCHQ then who already listen to me anyway and probably have a complete dossier on my bank details. [:-))]Actually I've only phoned them a couple of times in 10 years, so I'm not too worried. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YCCMB Posted March 18, 2014 Share Posted March 18, 2014 I'm a bit the same. If the only reason I have to phone them is to tell them how daft I think their new plan is, then I can't see the point or get worked up enough about it to do anything. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idun Posted March 18, 2014 Share Posted March 18, 2014 I'll tell you why I think it dangerous, and that is because it is one step away from actually telling someone one's pin if used to tapping it in to a phone, which I do believe is quite different to say using a cash machine. And the more I see of folk, the more I realise that when they get into a 'habit' they all too easily just go with the flow.So no, I would not like it or do it.I am sure that I remember some poor soul on here a few years ago who put cash in the envelope to pay money into their french banks drop off service and the bank denied that this person had. No receipt is given, it just goes in and no real trace of anything at all. Security in french banks has been iffy for years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YCCMB Posted March 19, 2014 Share Posted March 19, 2014 It goes from the sublime to the ridiculous, in my very limited experience. I contrast:1. Trying to draw money out of my own account in a different region, using a self-addressed cheque. This is now a five-stage process involving seeing a cashier (who has no access to any cash), going to see another person, filling out a form in quadruplicate, being ushered into a side office, filling in the cheque, endorsing it (even though I've just signed it in front of them), being escorted to the ATM with a single-use card, getting the money.2. The time I used the ATM in our village with my UK debit card. The machine swallowed my card. As the bank was open, I went in to see what could be done. At the point I was explaining to the cashier what had happened, a man came out of a side office. "Have you just lost your card in the ATM?" he asked. "Yes" I replied. "You were trying to force it in" he said "I wasn't", I replied. I then realised he was holding.....my card. "Is this it?" he asked "Yes" I said. "Do you have any proof of your identity?" he asked. Luckily, I had my driving licence, but as I'd just popped out for five minutes on my scooter to draw some money, that was just good fortune. As if I'd walk into the bank to advertise the fact that a card I'd just stolen had been swallowed up by the ATM. That one still puzzles me. Who was the man? I can only imagine that his job was to sit behind the wall and post the money back through the ATM to the waiting customers!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Théière Posted March 19, 2014 Share Posted March 19, 2014 [quote user="You can call me Betty"]2. The time I used the ATM in our village with my UK debit card. The machine swallowed my card. As the bank was open, I went in to see what could be done. At the point I was explaining to the cashier what had happened, a man came out of a side office. "Have you just lost your card in the ATM?" he asked. [/quote]I always thought there was a little man sitting in those cash machines, still better than the hot and cramped conditions inside the coffee machines on the motorways. [;-)] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michelin79 Posted March 19, 2014 Author Share Posted March 19, 2014 I did actually use the word scam in the title a bit tongue in cheekedly. I have responded to their email suggesting that this procedure will probably make them the least secure bank in the world. I don't suppose they will respond.For anyone who hasn't quite twigged the insecurity: it's not so much the listening in as at Cheltenham, it's the leaving the digits on your phone ready for last number re-dial etc.It's a coincidence that there is another thread on here about charging for their English speaking service. The proposed insecure service will perhaps discourage customers from phoning them...less staff required...no need to introduce a charge...qed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Théière Posted March 19, 2014 Share Posted March 19, 2014 Mike, I am not totally sure of this but I believe they are actually a split off of CA now, they were to be closed but have started off on their own hence needing small charges to keep going. It's the added value they bring that you pay a little more for, Yes the security issue and last number redial, If you have just dialed in say 8 digits then you follow that with a 6 digit password are you describing the caller display as showing the numbers, meaning the need to punch in an additional number after finishing with the bank or on some phones maybe you can bring up several of the previous numbers as on a mobile phone etc? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idun Posted March 19, 2014 Share Posted March 19, 2014 I always thought that the CA was 'split' anyway and very regional. I have never liked them as the little I was obliged to use them, they offered the worst service of any french bank I have used. Good friends of mine, used to have problems just about every month and yet did not change banks, they reckoned that the others were just as bad! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Théière Posted March 19, 2014 Share Posted March 19, 2014 Yes they are very regional being based in northern france. They have for us been easy and pleasant to deal with and helpful when setting up conferance calls with our local branch in order to sort out or setup some service or other. Never had a problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mac Posted March 20, 2014 Share Posted March 20, 2014 Already have to do this for my UK bank if I phone them (not the full security number though-just selected digits) and have never had a problem or anyone trying to access my account fraudulently. Maybe I am too trusting? I suppose if you have never had a problem you assume that you are not going to have one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YCCMB Posted March 20, 2014 Share Posted March 20, 2014 I guess we've never had a problem because we've never had to phone them, at least not for about eight years. We've had plenty of other problems, mind you! In the end, having a French bank account has the chance of becoming a costly luxury. Even paying the forex charges and risking a less-than-favourable exchange rate (both avoidable with the right sort of account) seem to work out cheaper than making use of our French account for anything much other than writing the odd cheque or managing a direct debit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NormanH Posted March 20, 2014 Share Posted March 20, 2014 I have heard good things about the costs of Boursoramahttp://www.banques-en-ligne.fr/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frederick Posted March 21, 2014 Share Posted March 21, 2014 I phoned them today as my card will expire while I am in France .... I was asked if I had an on line bank code .. I said " No I have not " was then asked for account number so they could look it up..and usual security questions .... I asked if there was any way they could have the new card sent to my French address so I wouid have it when the old one expired .... Guess what ! No chance ! I was told to use my cheque book If I want to use the new card I shall have to have somebody go in my house go through my mail in the UK and post it out ...... Have told my wife to make sure she has plenty of cash !!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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