NatWest refuse to protect poorer customers from Covid 19

[Tempertamtrum]

I have been refused a contact less debit card by Nat West on my current account.

Have banked with them for 15 years but they say I have to upgrade bank account to go contact less.

Some people are unable to do so.

AmI unreasonable to think this policy is putting poorer people at risk from Covid 19?

but they say I have to upgrade bank account to go contact less.

what do they need to upgrade to?
whats the problem?

What is the reason that you cannot have a contactless card? What kind of account do you have?

Is the upgrade to a more modern account and nothing to do with income though?

it depends on their reasoning.

Contact less does lead people to spend more and monitor their spending less.

If you have had severe financial problems in the past, they have to weigh up the risk from cash against the risks of what happens when people find themselves in severe financial difficulties.

Banks still have that responsibility.

Not sure I understand the problem with using cash, or chip or pin though, as long as you are following all other hygine practises.

Also contact less is only to £45. I go shopping every 10 days. I easily spend £45 so have to use chip and pin, anyway.

Upgrade to what? Is it just an upgrade to a newer type of account?

I don’t understand this as they advertise contactless on their basic ‘free’ account .

Why are some people unable to do so; what's the criteria?

Change to Starling online banking. App is phenomenal and card is contactless (and pretty)

I used to be with Coop bank and switched because I liked the look of the app. Best thing I have done for a long time!

You can even pay in cheques via photo

Depends on the type of account you have then. Maybe your account needs upgrading before a contactless card is offered. Can they do an upgrade on a phone call? Ask them.

Although as a pp said, contactless is only for up to £45 so you need a pin if spending more than that anyway

Did do when opened, but not since them, have about 4k in the account.
Just didn't want the faff of getting new bank account and needing to have wages changed.

Do you not feel contact less is safer with Covid?

Get a monzo card. All done online and I transfer a weekly budget onto it.

I'm sure they just adjust the coding on your account and you keep all the same details when upgrading. I dont think they change the account number - again, ask them

I’ve changed accounts a few times , the actual account number has never changed .

Upgrade from what to what OP?

It’s got nothing to do with finances, just upgrading to a newer account type.

Contactless has its issues, it has a capped limit (it was £25 but I think it’s gone up to £45 in some places due to covid) so you’ll still need to use chip and bin above the levels. Also, if your card is stolen, it’s easier to use and even cancelling your card doesn’t always necessarily stop people spending on it (from what I have read in previous years).
If you are worried about covid and spending on your card then bring hand gel and gel your hands after you have touched the keypad and wash your hands when you get home

I did ask, they said I need to open a new bank account.

I think all their current accounts should be contactless - as need new account I will go elsewhere.

If your phone supports Google or Apple pay you can set up your phone to pay from that card even though the card itself isn't contactless.

I have a big standard current account with Natwest, not one you pay a fee on or anything, and I have a contactless card.

Do you have a CCJ?

Get Monzo or starling. Best thing I did getting Monzo

I take it you have this one?
^Foundation account
Our basic account designed to help you manage your money.
If you've encountered difficulties with money, you may not be eligible for a number of our bank accounts and might be offered the Foundation account instead.
Get your own Visa Debit card (*contactless not available)
Easy to use mobile app
No monthly fee
You can't apply directly for the Foundation current account. We may offer it to you if we think it's more suitable during an application for one of our other accounts.^

Let me just add that imho this account should be without contactless because the point is to control your money better

I don't but don't think a CCJ should bar a contactless card. No worries have now been accepted by Halifax

It's because contactless payments can come out of your account even if you have no money in there meaning you could go into debt. A contactless card comes with a basic cash account. You can't have an arranged overdraft facility with it, credit card or get a loan. Nothing that could cause you to go into debt. I have a basic cash account because I got heavily into debt and don't trust myself.
So I would say YABU. If you want to have a contactless card, upgrade your account.

If your phone supports Google or Apple pay you can set up your phone to pay from that card even though the card itself isn't contactless.
This. There's no limit on transactions either if you pay by phone.

It's not to do with being poorer then it's to do with having debt issues. Not everybody who is poor has a CCJ. Not everybody with a CCJ is poor