A beginner’s guide to online banking from home

Linda J. Dodson

The coronavirus pandemic has left many people unable to visit bank branches and access crucial financial services.

Elderly and vulnerable people have been told to remain inside as much as possible, but these groups risk being cut off from their money as the crisis deepens. 

Most banks have cut opening hours and some have closed branches in towns where they have more than one outlet.

Older people are among the least likely to bank online and many will be forced to sign up to digital services for the first time. Telegraph Money rounds up the basics for those looking to start banking from home.

What is online banking?

Online banking allows customers to access their accounts using a computer, mobile phone or tablet device. Most banks have dedicated apps or websites to help customers carry out basic tasks such as viewing their balance, transferring funds and paying bills.

Most current accounts can be viewed online and many other providers allow customers to check savings accounts, mortgages and loans as well.

Does it cost money?

No. Online banking services are free to access.

How do I set up online banking?

Customers will have to register with their bank if they wish to use online services. The easiest way is to visit a bank’s website and then register for an online account.

The sign-up process differs between providers but may include having log-in information and passwords sent in the post, or being given a security device which ensures users can log on safely. 

Customers will be required to verify their identity during this process and then set-up a password for their online account. They should make sure that these passwords are not used for any other websites.

Is online banking secure?

Safety fears are one of the biggest reasons people avoid using online banking. These services are generally robust and secure, but users should take precautions to ensure that they are protecting their passwords and data.

Customers should make sure they do not share their passwords with anyone, including bank staff. They should also be alert to any emails purporting to be from banks, particularly if they ask for any personal details. Often these emails are from scammers who are looking to steal personal information from unsuspecting people.

If customers have any doubts about the veracity of an email, they should call their bank on the telephone number listed on the back of their debit card.

Customers should also make sure they only use a secure internet connection at home. Avoid any public Wi-Fi networks as these are vulnerable to being hacked.

What are the benefits of online banking?

Customers can access and manage their finances at any time, which can also make it easier to spot any unusual activity in their accounts.

Many banks also have smartphone apps, which often come with budgeting tools to help users spend within their means during a given period. This could be useful for those suffering from a reduced income because of Covid-19.

Some banks also offer special deals to online customers which cannot be accessed in branches. This could include higher savings rates.

What other options are there?

The internet is not the only way customers can manage their money from home. Most banks also offer telephone banking services to customers.

These can be set up in much the same way. Customers should simply contact their financial provider and ask to register an account.

Source Article

Next Post

Fast Retailing cuts annual sales forecast by $2.3bn

TOKYO — Japan’s Fast Retailing, owner of the Uniqlo casual clothing brand, cut its sales forecast for fiscal year ending August by 250 billion yen ($2.29 billion) to 2.09 trillion yen, as the novel coronavirus outbreak forces it to shutter hundreds of stores worldwide. The company also downgraded its full-year net profit forecast by […]

You May Like