Gurpreet Kaur

About a week ago I needed to make a transaction to another account using online banking, which I found that Barclays online banking system has changed and for security reasons you wont be able to log into online banking without using a PINsentry card reader.

I went into the Barclays branch and asked them why I require a PINsentry card reader for online banking and what is it exactly? The guy who explained didn’t do much of a good job. So I decided just to wait for the post. (Since the bank said within 3 days I would receive my card reader).

…Well for a few days the postman didn’t come into our area so our post wasn’t delivered. But today finally he managed to make it. (My gawsh missing the post for like 4 days is a lot, there were 27 letters that needed attention).

I finally got the PINsentry card reader, which seemed like a calculator to me to be honest. But it was important to read the user guide. It all seemed complicated when the assistant at the bank tried to explain about the reader and when in fact I found out it was extremely easy to use.

Basically the PINsentry system is developed to improve protection and security for online banking. It use’s a CHIP and PIN (just like you would at a normal cash machine or credit/debit card system). The only additional information you need is;

-> Your online banking membership number

-> Your Barclays bank card (debit/credit)

-> Your card’s PIN (original one that is used for your debit/credit card)

-> PINsentry card reader

The card reader is only used if you’re making a payment to someone new (in my case it was), so I required the PINSentry card reader. It’s to ensure the bank that the instructions for transferring money are actually coming from the right person.

There are two main easy steps to transfer money via online banking. Firstly you need to log in. So inserting the card into the reader. Then clicking the “IDENTIFY” button.

It then tells you to “ENTER PIN:”

Once you’ve entered the pin, “PIN CORRECT” will be displayed onto the reader and then automatically take you to a screen where it gives you a unique 8 digit code (which changes every time you enter your pin in the card reader).

You will need this code to gain access to the online banking page.

… and secondly to transfer money, you would need to type in the new details of the account that you wish to pay; which the page then tells you to insert the card back into the card reader and click on “SIGN”. Where you have to re-enter your PIN number and then enter the account number of whom you wish to pay and the amount you wish to pay. It will then give another 8 digit unique code to enter into the online banking screen.

AND your done ! The payment is received successfully and securely.