Extra online security explained

Mobile Banking app

  • Join our 1 million app users
  • Simple and secure log in.
  • Set up handy notifications.


More about our app


Mobile Banking app

  • Join our 1 million app users
  • Simple and secure log in.
  • Set up handy notifications.
Download our app

Strong Customer Authentication

  • By law all banks need to have an extra layer of security for their customers. This is called 'Strong Customer Authentication'. For you, it means more protection when you’re shopping and banking online. It involves extra checks to prove it’s really you and help keep you safer from online fraud.

  • An extra layer of security makes it harder for fraudsters to target your online accounts. All banks have to do these extra checks.

  • Most people use passwords as way of proving it’s them. Sadly, passwords can be guessed or stolen by fraudsters. So we’ve added a second layer of security to check it’s really you, and make it harder for anyone else to. There are three ways you can verify yourself:

    1. Something you know” - this is a piece of secret information that only you know, like your password.
    2. Something you have” - this is a device you own, like your mobile phone.
    3. Something you are” - this is something that is unique to you, like your fingerprint.

    You need to provide two of these three ways to verify it’s you. This is called 'two-factor authentication'.

  • No. Apart from texting passcodes to your mobile or calling you to verify yourself, we’ll only ever use your number for what you’ve already given us permission to. This includes things like your marketing preferences and mobile alerts.

    It’s very important that we have your phone number. Find out how to update your phone number online. Or you can visit your local branch or call us.

  • There’s no way to opt out of SCA. Strong Customer Authentication has been introduced across all banks in the UK. The extra checks are here to protect you and keep your money safe when you're shopping online.

How the checks work

Problems with the extra checks

Important legal information

Mobile Banking: Mobile Banking is available to Internet Banking customers. We don’t charge you for Internet Banking but your mobile phone provider may charge for some services. Please check with them. Phone signal and functionality may affect services. Terms and conditions apply.

Mobile Banking app: Our app is available to Internet Banking customers with a UK personal account and valid registered phone number. It’s only available to iPhone and Android users. Minimum operating systems apply, so check the App Store or Google Play for details. Our app does not work on jailbroken or rooted devices. You must register your device.

Apple and the Apple logo are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc. Google Play is a trademark of Google LLC. Terms and conditions apply.

Eligible deposits with us are protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS). For further information about the compensation provided by the FSCS, refer to the FSCS website at www.fscs.org.uk/. You can also visit our Financial Services Compensation Scheme page for more details.

Financial Services Compensation Scheme