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In an emergency, can't you call your bank over the phone? Do you depend on it still if you have a Computer?


No, with some banks you can't.

I tried calling Starling Bank in the UK when my phone screen stopped working. I assumed they would have basic phone banking service.

They told me no. The only service they could provide over the phone was registering a new device to resume access to bank services via their mobile app.

Although they have a web banking service, which can he used on a desktop, that requires authentication via the mobile app too. It's not TOTP, it's their own thing.

As I needed to make a transaction, I had no choice but to buy a new phone in a hurry.to do it.

Several people suggest switching banks and credit card services, but I've found that not so easy. I have accounts with several banks (some for business), and 3 of them require use of their mobile app. Most credit card services I use also require use of their app. Some have websites that hand you over to the app at some point in the flow.




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