Banking On Your Mobile Phone

[Hymie]

You may not be aware, but crims can steal your phone (out of your hand) in an unlocked state, and then use the banking app on the phone to steal all the money in your bank accounts.

Radio 4’s Money Box programme has been covering this issue for some time.

One of the things they reported was that all who had had money stolen by this method, no longer used mobile banking.

Banking on a full size laptop screen is hard enough to ensure that you have not logged on to a fake website, I’d never use mobile phone banking – which would make it all too easy for crims to take all my money.

I’d advise you do the same, unless you are happy to lose all your money.

[calmck]

I never use my phone for banking or buying anything.

[New Judge]

Absolutely agree, Hymie.

It intrigues me that people need to undertake banking transactions whilst sitting on a bus or walking down the street. I'm a great advocate of internet banking and visit a bank just once or maybe twice a year. I do this to draw out the only cash I need which I use for tips in restaurants. I draw the cash at the bank because the hole-in-the-wall does not provide the notes I prefer.

I would not dream of logging on to a bank's website whilst out and about.

[newmodarmy]

I use banking apps (but not while walking down the road).  I don't think it's as simple as the post suggests as even if my phone is unlocked I still need PIN /password or fingerprint to get into the apps. I think the problems occur where the thieves shoulder surf you typing in your PIN or where people store the Banking PINS in a notepad  that a thief can read.

[barry1010]

Can't get in to my banking app without my fingerprint. Impossible.  The alternative is to log in through a browser and my very long log in number and password are not stored on my phone. 

 

 

[Peter Pedant]

Hi! me - nice to see you posting

One of the things they reported was that all who had had money stolen by this method, no longer used mobile banking.

100% apparently. cd be a radio 4 100%.

I noticed that BUT I have never done mobile access, and quake ( rattle and roll) when I see a member of the fambly do it. For those, I insist on going thro every entry on their statement on the 31st.

and THAT  led to a ghost payment ( before they take lots!) and the fraud clerk said - "blimey we hardly have a same-day alert, we can cancel it withouot loss!"

[Maydup]

I wouldn't be without the various bank apps on my mobile, but I'm not likely to use them in public.

I take the security quite seriously in the same way as I look after my money and bank cards. 
I have a passcode on my phone and fingerprint security on the apps. 

[barry1010]

The SIM lock on my phone is activated too.

[rockyracoon]

How do they get into the banking app if the phone's unlocked? I have to put a seperate code in for both of mine.

Pseronally, I think banking apps are fantastic and incredibly easy to use.

[hellywelly4]

I only use my iPad to do internet banking, never my phone. My iPad is always at home, I never take it out with me. 

[MandyMooMoo]

No they can't. They will need your finger print/face/password to set up a new beneficiary. They would only be able to send money to your existing payees and what use would that be? 

[jno]

I have to use the app as Lloyds won't let me use regular online banking - they insist on sending me four digits to type in then can't detect them, whether I spek them or type them. And of course they've closed down my local branch so I can't bank in person.

Still, I'd never do any banking outside the house.

[Deskdiary]

"I'd advise you to do the same, unless you are happy to lose all your money."

 

I'll ignore your condescending advice thanks.

 

Even if my unlocked phone was stolen (and it locks itself after about 15 secs if not used), they'd have to get through my 12 character passphrase to access my banking app, and then if they wanted to steal my money there's another couple of hoops to jump through...which they wouldn't be able to do.

 

 

[Peter Pedant]

well the banks insist that the app is much secure than dual thingey ( phoning another phone).

which I rather like

[Arksided]

Yeah mine locks after about fifteen seconds so they wouldn't get far before using, also apart from security for my bank... I can't imagine wanting to use my phone to log into my account when out and about.

[Deskdiary]

"Banking on a full size laptop screen is hard enough to ensure you have not logged on to a fake website..." if you're stupid.

 

There you go Hymie - I've fixed your statement for you.

[Hymie]

To those of you using mobile phone banking in public and believe you could not fall foul to this theft - the crims are not fools, they will shoulder surf to get your passwords.  Once they have stolen your phone and started emptying your accounts, you will no longer have a phone to contact your bank to block the transactions.

[barry1010]

I wouldn't use banking apps where anyone could shoulder surf or snatch my phone.

Nobody could see my password as I don't use it on my phone. Finger print needed for each and every step.

Bear in mind too that if I report my phone as stolen quickly after the act I will get all losses refunded.

If a thief steals my cash, I get nowt

[Maydup]

The crims are no fools but neither are we. As most of us have mentioned, we have fingerprint security on our banking apps, and 2-step authentication switched in. should anyone steal my phone they will need a code to unlock it too. 

[Maydup]

Certainly far safer than getting your purse out in public or using an ATM in the high street. 

[Deskdiary]

Good luck to a crim shoulder surfing and getting my 12 character pass phrase.

 

Time to remove your tin foil hat Hymie.