At Nationwide we use cutting edge technology to ensure that your Internet Banking experience is safe and secure.
- Safe banking and encryption
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When you log in we establish a secure link between your computer and the bank. This link is encrypted and all of the information you send and receive is scrambled and can only be deciphered by Nationwide and by your computer. The scrambling or encryption process involves changing a string of letters and numbers into a code that is unrecognisable to anybody else. By scrambling / encrypting the information we ensure that personal information such as card and account numbers are safe and secure when passed between Nationwide and your computer.
- Logging in to the bank
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Secure banking is more than establishing a secure link between you and the Nationwide it is also preventing unauthorised access to your accounts. We do this by asking you to log in using three different types of personal security data. As only you will know what these are we can be confident that the person logging in is you and so grant you access to your accounts.
The first part is your Customer Number. This is the number we give to you when you when you register (you cannot choose or change this number).
The second is your Memorable Data. When you register for Internet Banking with Nationwide we will ask you to provide us with a memorable date, a memorable place and a memorable name. You will need to use only one of these each time you log in.
The final thing we ask for is three random digits from your passnumber. Your passnumber will be sent to you after you have registered. It will be a random six digit number generated by Nationwide. Once you have logged in for the first time using (three random digits of) this number you will be able to change it to something more memorable.
- Your unique customer number
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You will find your customer number, a 10-digit number, in the letter we send you which will confirm your registration to the Internet Banking service. Whenever you use Internet Banking with Nationwide, this is the customer number you will be asked to use. It is permanent and allocated to you alone.
- Temporary customer numbers
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If you are not registered for Internet Banking and want to open an account online we will assign you a temporary customer number. Temporary customer numbers begin with a 'T'. At the same time we will ask you to provide your own memorable data and passnumber. Using this information allows you to return to incomplete applications and to make use of our secure messaging service.
After submitting your application we will register you for Internet Banking and send you your permanent customer number and a new passnumber. You will use these along with your memorable data to gain full access to the bank services and to your accounts.
- Remembering your customer number
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A 10-digit number is not always the easiest thing to remember, especially when you cannot change it to something more recognisable. To help you overcome this problem we provide customers with an optional customer number cookie. A cookie is a small piece of data sent by our computer to yours so that information can be recalled; in this case your customer number.
When you are logging in to Internet Banking with us, you will see an option asking whether or not you want to install a cookie to remember your customer number. If you request 'Please remember my customer number', a cookie will be stored on the computer you are using and your customer number will be inserted automatically each time you log in to the Internet Bank.
The cookie will store your customer number only and nothing else. It has no other purpose. If you do not want to accept the cookie your customer number will not be stored and each time you log in you will be asked to type in your customer number.
We recommend that the cookie is used on your personal computer only.
If you save your temporary customer number as a cookie, please replace it with your new customer number when we send it to you.
- Selecting and using your memorable data
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For security reasons, we ask for three items of memorable data when you register. These should be easy to remember pieces of information that you will recall straight away when you are logging in.
Again for security reasons, we advise you not to use anything too obvious such as your date of birth, or your partner's date of birth. Don't use the name of the place you are living in and don't use your first name or your partner's first names.
If you need to change your memorable data, you can do so:
- Log in to the Internet Bank
- Select 'Manage my details and settings'
- Click on 'My security settings'
- Follow the instructions on the screen to change your memorable data
- Using your passnumber
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We provide you with your passnumber, a randomly generated 6-digit number, when we complete your registration request.
If you want to change your passnumber you can but we strongly advise that you avoid something obvious that others may guess (for example, a repeated string of the same number).
When you log in we will ask you to enter three random digits of your passnumber. These must be entered in the drop down lists provided using your mouse rather than the numbered keypad.
By asking for different digits on each visit and using the drop down lists to pick the correct digit, you will be better protected against fraudulent use.
- Last log in date and time
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Every time you log in to Internet Banking the date and time is automatically logged.
If you're concerned that the last log in date and time is wrong, you should follow steps 1 and 2 in order:
- Run a full anti-virus scan and follow the instructions if anything is found
- Change your log in details. When you're logged in to Internet Banking, select 'Manage my details and settings'. Select 'My security settings'. From here you must change all three items of memorable data and your passnumber.
You should monitor your account activity for any suspicious transactions and contact us immediately on 08457 30 20 10 if you are concerned in any way about your account details. We can also block your account from any fraudulent transactions and provide you with new log in information if required.
If you're just not sure if this was the last time you logged in, send us a secure message letting us know what your concerns are and we'll check your recent account activity for you.