Nationwide issue security update for its account holders

Nationwide Building Society has spoken about a new feature being introduced for some customers. A customer contacted the provider as they were trying to add a payee and wanted to know if they could use another verification measure other than their card reader.

They said they had just switched their current account and kept forgetting to take their card reader with them. They said they would prefer to use biometrics on the mobile app if this was an option.

Nationwide responded with some guidance: "By setting up account biometrics in our banking app, you can use face recognition instead of your card reader to do most things."

They also directed the customer to an information page about biometrics on the Nationwide website. Biometrics is a way to confirm you identity, by using your finger print or facial recognition to make sure it's you.

The two types of biometric that Nationwide offers include face or fingerprin recognition through your phone or device, or face recognition that you can set up with 'Account biometrics' in the banking app.

Replying to Nationwide, the customer said they had checked their settings and it said their account is not eligible for biometrics. They said they have a FlexDirect account, and asked how they could become eligible.

Nationwide explained in response: "If you don't see the option for account biometrics in the banking app, it maybe because you are not eligible to set it up just yet."

But the group said the service is being expanded. Nationwide said: "We are in the process of rolling this out to our current account customers. You'll see a message in the app when it is available for you."

The provider said some other reasons a customer may not be eligible is if you don't have a current account, if you are waiting for a replacement card or if you are under 13.

Nationwide also said: "If the above does not apply for you, we will notify you through the app when you are eligible to use this feature."

Another new feature is soon to be added for Nationwide customers. Reward Saver customer currently do not have the option to have paperless statements, meaning they still have to get theirs sent in the post.

But this will be changing soon. Nationwide said recently in response to a customer who asked about the service: "Whilst you can't currently opt for paperless statements for the Reward Saver account, if you use our banking app, in the coming weeks you should be able to change the paperless settings for this account. You'll see a pop-up when this is available to you."