Nationwide update as new ‘account lock’ function comes online this year | Personal Finance | Finance
Nationwide Building Society has issued an update about a new function that will be added to the app this year.
The soon-to-be-added function came to light after the building society was asked to clarify the process for how to get your PIN number unlocked.
If your PIN is entered incorrectly three times, your PIN will be locked for security reasons. There are limited ways to unlock your PIN, as you can only do this at a cash machine.
At present, you can’t find out your PIN online or request it over the counter in a Nationwide branch. However, the system will soon be changing.
A spokesperson for the bank said: “If a customer has forgotten their PIN, they can request a new one via the Internet Bank, over the phone or in branch.
“The new PIN will be sent to the address registered on their account. Later this year our customers will also be able to view their existing PIN via the Mobile Banking App.”
Nationwide declined to confirm an exact date for when the new function would be added. Regarding the process to unlock your PIN, the group said: “If a customer has remembered their PIN, they can use an ATM, including those in our branches, to unlock their PIN by inputting the correct PIN and selecting account services.
“Only the customer can unlock their PIN, so it is not possible to unlock the PIN at the counter.” You cannot use your card reader to unlock your PIN.
The Nationwide website explains a four-step process to unlock your PIN at a cash machine. You can do this at any UK cash machine with the LINK sign on it.
The four steps are:
- Insert your card into the cash machine
- Enter your PIN number
- Select other and then PIN services
- Choose PIN unlock.
The screen should then display the word ‘successful’ to confirm you have unlocked your PIN. If you can’t remember your PIN, you can request a new one or request a reminder of your old one.
This will be sent to you in the post within three to five working days. Even without your PIN, you can still access cash and make payments.
If you visit a branch with some ID such as a passport or driving licence, you will still be able to access certain services.
A customer recently contacted the building society as they had just been issued a new card, with a different last four digits on the card number. They wanted to know if they needed to update their direct debits on their account with their new card details.
Nationwide said in response: “You don’t need to change over your direct debits nor any recurring card payments as a result of card renewal.”
