Debit card won’t work in machine or chip and pin and won’t tap

[Whattodonexttoday]

I have no other cards, it is also what I use to travel by tapping. No cash money at home.

Are banks open today? What can I do next?

I don’t want this card cancelled whilst they send out a new one, it still needs to work for my online orders while this is being sorted out.

What’s the easiest fastest way to get this sorted?

Quite stressed with other things going on and not feeling very well today, so not thinking as clearly as usual. It is a long walk to nearest bank, but it’s doable. Please advise me.

Phone the bank.

or

Go into the branch and withdraw cash over the counter. I was able to do this by opening the app on my phone and they asked me questions about transactions.

or

Cancel the card but only if you have it set up on Apple Pay (I don’t know about android). The new card will be active straight away. You should be able to use it without a sim. I’ve used it without any kind of connection before so I guess that works.

or

buy what you need via Deliveroo, Uber Eats, Tesco Whoosh etc.

Once this is sorted get a credit card so you have something to fall back on. Or keep some cash in the house.

It’s a normal working day so just ring your bank?

I had this. Rang bank and they said they’d send a new card out….except they cancelled the old one there and then and it took two weeks for the new one to be delivered 🙄

Are you sure it's in date?

I can get a code from my online banking that I can use in NatWest cash machines to get cash out without card.

The bank has said there is nothing wrong with the account and the card from its description must be faulty, a new one will be sent, in the meantime, I can go pick up a replacement card which costs £12, this will involve a 1 hour and 20 minute walk. At least there is some solution today.

None of this would have been as difficult if I had a proper functioning phone.

ApplePay and a credit card will be set up once I’ve sorted out phone situation. The phone situation needed money which I don’t currently have. Credit cards also need money, unless I want to drive myself into debt.

Thank you to all those kind souls who came up with really helpful suggestions.

Funnily enough, I trust Mumsnet and wanted to get your collective opinions, which there were really brilliant solutions suggested. I wanted to be armed with knowledge before contacting the bank, tellers are not always wise or efficient, as I found out to my cost once while overseas in the past.

My thinking of getting a credit card is just to have it as an emergency second card just in case your main card stops working.

You do not need a physical card if you have confirmed that the card is not blocked and you do not need a SIM if you have access to the internet, which you clearly do. Honestly there is no helping some people. Enjoy your walk.

Banks are open today.

If it is Nationwide it is in the news, they have an issue with their banking systems

Secondly, why would you not contact your bank first for all situations ?

The bank should just verify your identity by signature if you take your card!

If they have a compatible phone

Why is a replacement card costing £12 and why are you having to go to the bank to get it?

They don’t make them at the bank and they will replace them for free.

The outage may be over now
Try again

https://downdetector.co.uk/status/nationwide/

I'm guessing that's some kind of fast track service as they usually just send them through the post, so they probably wouldn't get it until after Xmas now if not next year.

Because the replacement will take 7 days to arrive, probably Christmas being in the middle is not helping.

I would rather have a card today for my peace of mind, and larger bank branches will produce a temporary card for you on the spot while you wait for the free permanent replacement card to arrive in the post.

Some banks do charge as it's an extra service, like paying extra for special delivery or fast track passports. OPs new proper card will probably take 2 weeks at least with all the bank holidays.

Request a new card, unless its lost or stolen the old one works for a week or so.

The £12 charge for a temporary card is another sting in the tail for those that can often least afford it as they won't have an array of credit cards to fall back on.

I didn’t know that.

Can you get a cab to the bank rather than walking so far? You said your card works on Deliveroo so will it work on Uber etc.

You can just order a new one online. They usually send them by next day ….so should arrive on 24th or 27th

Go in the branch and draw enough cash for a week or two and order a new card.

I could do, but I need to pace myself this month and can’t really justify the luxury.
I’ll down a gin to dull the physical discomfort and lift the spirits.

It’s a bit scary how trauma and a chaotic upbringing can lead to poverty, drinking, and isolation. It will do me good to be out in the fresh air and around others, as I’ll be flying solo this holiday.