You're ready to dive into the world of secure online banking with your Nationwide card reader, are you? Excellent choice! This little device is a cornerstone of Nationwide's security measures, designed to protect your money and personal information when you're managing your accounts online. Let's break down exactly how to use it, step-by-step, ensuring you feel confident and secure with every transaction.
Understanding Your Nationwide Card Reader
Before we jump into the "how-to," let's quickly understand what your Nationwide card reader is. It's a small, portable device that works in conjunction with your Nationwide debit card and PIN to generate unique, one-time passcodes. These passcodes are essential for authenticating certain transactions and accessing specific features within Nationwide's Internet Bank, adding an extra layer of security beyond just your usual login details. It acts as a physical key to confirm your identity, making it incredibly difficult for fraudsters to access your account.
Step 1: Get Ready - What You'll Need
Alright, let's gather our tools. This is where we engage you directly! Do you have these items handy?
- Your Nationwide Debit Card: This is the card linked to the account you want to access or make a payment from. Make sure it's not a credit card or a cash card, as these typically won't work with the card reader for this purpose.
- Your Card's PIN: This is the 4-digit number you use at ATMs or when making in-store purchases with your debit card. Keep it private and don't share it!
- Your Nationwide Card Reader: The star of our show! Ensure it has working batteries. If the screen is blank, it likely needs new CR2032 batteries (usually two of them).
- A Device with Internet Access: This could be your computer, laptop, or even your smartphone if you're using the Nationwide Internet Bank through a web browser.
- Your Nationwide Customer Number and Internet Bank Passnumber: You'll need these to log in to the Internet Bank initially.
Got everything? Fantastic! Let's move on.
Step 2: When Do You Need the Card Reader?
The Nationwide card reader isn't required for every single action you take online. Nationwide is increasingly using other security measures like biometrics (fingerprint or facial recognition) through their banking app. However, the card reader is still crucial for certain high-security actions within the Internet Bank.
You will typically need your card reader for actions such as:
- Setting up a new payee: If you're sending money to someone or a company for the very first time.
- Making a payment for the first time online to a new payee: After setting them up, the initial payment often requires card reader authentication.
- Updating any regular payments: This includes modifying standing orders.
- Amending the payment reference: When paying a bill or company whose details are already stored, but you want to change the reference.
- Updating certain personal details: Such as your mobile number, email address, or password/passnumber.
- Logging in to the Internet Bank: Sometimes, especially if it's your first time logging in or as an extra security check, you'll be prompted to use it.
Keep your card reader safe and accessible, even if you primarily use the app, as it's still a vital backup and sometimes a requirement.
Step 3: Activating Your Card Reader (Initial Use)
If this is your very first time using your Nationwide card reader, you might need to ensure it's powered on.
Sub-heading: Checking the Batteries
- Battery Low or No Power? If your card reader screen is blank or displays "Battery low," it's time for new batteries.
- How to Replace Batteries:
- Get two CR2032 batteries. These are small, flat, circular batteries.
- Locate the back of the card reader.
- Push the tip of a pen into the small, rectangular hole near the bottom. This usually releases the battery drawer.
- Pull out the battery drawer.
- Remove the old batteries and carefully insert the new ones, ensuring they are in the correct + and - positions.
- Push the drawer back into the card reader until it clicks securely.
Your card reader should now power on. Some models may have an ON/OFF button – press it if yours does. If not, try pressing the reset button on the back with a paperclip.
Step 4: Using the Card Reader for Internet Bank Login
While Nationwide offers biometric login via their app, you might still need the card reader for logging into the Internet Bank via a web browser, or if prompted for extra security.
- Navigate to the Nationwide Internet Bank Login Page: Open your web browser and go to the official Nationwide website.
- Enter Your Customer Number: On the login screen, you'll first be asked for your Nationwide customer number. Enter it and proceed.
- Choose Card Reader Login (if applicable): You might be given an option to log in using your card reader or your passnumber/memorable data. Select the card reader option.
- Insert Your Debit Card: Take your Nationwide Visa debit card. Ensure the chip-side of the card goes into the card reader first, facing upwards (or sometimes towards the bottom left, depending on the model). Insert it firmly into the slot on the card reader.
- Press 'IDENTIFY' on the Card Reader: The card reader screen will prompt you with various functions. For logging in, you'll usually need to press the button labelled 'IDENTIFY'.
- Enter Your Debit Card PIN: The card reader will then ask you to "ENTER PIN." Carefully input your 4-digit debit card PIN using the card reader's keypad and press the 'OK' or 'ENTER' button on the reader.
- Retrieve the Passcode: The card reader will now display an 8-digit passcode.
- Enter the Passcode Online: Go back to your computer screen and carefully type this 8-digit passcode into the designated field on the Nationwide Internet Bank login page. Ignore any spaces the card reader might display in the passcode; just type the digits consecutively.
- Click 'Log in': Once entered, click the 'Log in' button on your computer screen.
If successful, you will now be logged into your Nationwide Internet Bank account.
Step 5: Using the Card Reader for Transactions (e.g., Setting up a New Payee)
This is where the card reader provides its most crucial security function. When you're making a sensitive change or payment, you'll be prompted to use the 'RESPOND' function.
- Initiate the Transaction Online: Begin the process of setting up a new payee or making a payment to a new recipient within the Nationwide Internet Bank.
- You'll See a Challenge Code: At a certain point in the online process, the Nationwide Internet Bank will display a unique challenge code (usually a series of numbers) on your computer screen.
- Insert Your Debit Card into the Reader: If it's not already in, insert your Nationwide Visa debit card into the card reader (chip first, facing upwards).
- Press 'RESPOND' on the Card Reader: On your card reader, press the button labelled 'RESPOND'.
- Enter Your Debit Card PIN: The card reader will ask for your "ENTER PIN." Input your 4-digit debit card PIN and press 'OK' or 'ENTER'.
- Enter the Challenge Code into the Card Reader: The card reader will now prompt you to "ENTER CODE." Carefully type the challenge code that was displayed on your computer screen into the card reader's keypad and press 'OK' or 'ENTER'.
- Retrieve the Response Passcode: The card reader will process the challenge code with your card and PIN, and then display a new 8-digit response passcode.
- Enter the Response Passcode Online: Go back to your computer screen and type this new 8-digit response passcode into the required field on the Nationwide Internet Bank page.
- Confirm the Transaction: Click the 'Confirm' or 'Submit' button online to complete your transaction.
This two-way authentication (challenge-response) ensures that you are truly the one authorizing the transaction.
Step 6: Important Tips for Using Your Card Reader
- Keep it Safe: Treat your card reader like your bank card. Store it in a secure place where it won't get lost or damaged.
- Don't Share: Never share your card reader, debit card, or PIN with anyone. Nationwide will never ask you for your full PIN over the phone or by email.
- Check the Screen: Always verify the details displayed on the card reader screen match what you expect before confirming any action.
- Universal Card Readers: Did you know that most card readers (like those from NatWest, Barclays, etc.) are universal? They don't store your card's information; they are merely passcode generators. So, if you're in a pinch and don't have your Nationwide one, you might be able to use a card reader from another bank that accepts your Visa debit card. However, it's always best to use your own Nationwide reader if possible.
- Cleanliness: Keep the card reader and the chip on your debit card clean to ensure proper contact.
- Accessibility: If you have a disability that makes using the standard card reader difficult, Nationwide offers accessible card readers with larger screens, bigger buttons, and audio instructions. You can order these in branch or by calling them.
Troubleshooting Common Card Reader Issues
Sometimes, things don't go as planned. Here are some quick fixes for common card reader problems:
- "Last PIN try" / "PIN locked call issuer": This means you've entered the wrong PIN too many times. Your card will be locked. You'll need to contact Nationwide to unlock your PIN.
- "Card error 2" or "Card error 3": This indicates a problem with the chip on your debit card. You'll need to order a new card from Nationwide.
- "Error" or "Check card": Ensure your card is inserted correctly, chip-side first and facing upwards.
- "Wrong card": Make sure the card you've inserted matches the one you're trying to use for the transaction (e.g., if you have multiple Nationwide cards). Check the last 4 digits displayed on your screen.
- Blank screen / No power: Replace the batteries (CR2032). If it still doesn't work, press the reset button on the back with a paperclip.
- Unresponsive buttons: Try replacing the batteries, or if that doesn't work, you may need to order a new card reader.
- "Entering spaces in card-reader passcodes": When the card reader displays a passcode with a space, ignore the space and simply key all the digits consecutively into the online banking field.
10 Related FAQ Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions about Nationwide card readers:
How to get a new Nationwide card reader?
You can order a new card reader online through your Nationwide Internet Bank account, by visiting a Nationwide branch, or by calling Nationwide customer service.
How to unlock my Nationwide card PIN if it's locked?
If your PIN is locked, you will need to contact Nationwide directly through their customer service helpline. They will guide you through the process of unlocking or reissuing your PIN.
How to use biometrics instead of a card reader for Nationwide banking?
Nationwide's banking app offers biometric login (fingerprint or facial recognition). You can set this up within the app's settings. While it reduces the need for the card reader for many actions, you may still be asked to use the card reader for certain high-security transactions.
How to know when I need to use my Nationwide card reader?
Nationwide's Internet Bank will explicitly prompt you to use your card reader for specific actions like setting up new payees, making large or first-time payments, or changing sensitive personal details.
How to order an accessible Nationwide card reader?
You can order an accessible card reader, which features larger screens, bigger buttons, and audio instructions, by visiting a Nationwide branch or by calling their customer service.
How to check the battery level of my Nationwide card reader?
Most Nationwide card readers don't have a specific battery level indicator, but they will display a "Battery low" message or simply go blank when the batteries are running out.
How to dispose of old Nationwide card reader batteries?
Old CR2032 batteries should be disposed of responsibly at designated battery recycling points, often found at supermarkets, local recycling centres, or electronic stores. Do not throw them in general waste.
How to use a card reader from another bank with my Nationwide card?
While not officially endorsed as a primary method, many card readers are universal. If it accepts a standard Visa debit card, you might be able to use a card reader from another bank (e.g., NatWest, Barclays) in a pinch, as they primarily act as passcode generators.
How to prevent my Nationwide card reader from displaying errors?
Ensure your debit card chip is clean, insert the card correctly (chip first, facing upwards), and always enter the correct PIN. Replacing old batteries can also resolve many display or functionality errors.
How to change the contrast on my Nationwide card reader screen?
Some card reader models have a 'MENU' button which, when pressed, allows you to adjust the screen contrast using the number buttons (e.g., 1 and 3). If yours doesn't have this, it's not a feature on that model.
We hope this comprehensive guide empowers you to use your Nationwide card reader with confidence and ease. Happy secure banking!
