With steady increase in the NRI numbers, many parents make yearly trips abroad to spend some time with sons, daughters and their "grand" versions. One issue that inconveniences them is the use of internet banking while abroad. They have to use it for payment of bills as also checking their accounts.
All banks impose use of use-once-only OTP (One Time Password) under certain conditions though the usage is not uniform. The use is for ensuring that the action is being performed by the genuine account holder who is in possession of his registered mobile number. The OTP is sent as an SMS on this registered mobile number. Some banks initiate OTP at the time of login itself if they find that it is being done from an unfamiliar device and location. While some banks may just have a second password for transactions, others insist on use of OTP for all transactions irrespective of device or location.
The point is that unless international roaming is activated on your Indian mobile number, you may not be able to make use of Internet banking. International roaming is not only expensive but also not as easily available as national roaming. BSNL does not provide international roaming to its prepaid customers. Airtel does, but not to customers in East UP circle: This gets my goat as I reside in this circle. And then this roaming can prove to be very expensive if you were to respond to an incoming call by mistake.
I had found a solution for this. I put an app 'Relay ME' on my phone. Then I would leave my phone in India with someone who could ensure that it is kept charged and connected to the network. The app relays all received SMS to an email address configured in it. This did the job without having to go for international roaming.
Now many banks have introduced 'active token' for generating the OTP instead of receiving it from the bank. It is done through an app on customer's smartphone. The OTP can be generated whether or not you are in the coverage area of your GSM operator. However your SIM which has the mobile number registered with the Bank, must be present in the phone. Presto! carry your SIM with you and forget about international roaming. As long as you have a wi-fi connection you can carry out Internet banking unhindered.
Activating the "Token" app is just a little bit tricky. For this purpose you have to log into your Internet banking account, preferably on another device while activating the app on your smartphone. Also you must install the app on the phone which has the SIM for the registered mobile number. You will receive an SMS which will have an URL for activation and you have to click on this URL on the phone having the app and the SIM. However all the hassle is worth it.
Finally, having your Bank's mobile banking app on your phone also helps. It allows you to login and transfer funds without OTP. However when you are being redirected to bank's Internet banking site by an online merchant, you may have to resort to the "Active Token."
Do share your experience if you have been using an active token for banking transactions.
All banks impose use of use-once-only OTP (One Time Password) under certain conditions though the usage is not uniform. The use is for ensuring that the action is being performed by the genuine account holder who is in possession of his registered mobile number. The OTP is sent as an SMS on this registered mobile number. Some banks initiate OTP at the time of login itself if they find that it is being done from an unfamiliar device and location. While some banks may just have a second password for transactions, others insist on use of OTP for all transactions irrespective of device or location.
The point is that unless international roaming is activated on your Indian mobile number, you may not be able to make use of Internet banking. International roaming is not only expensive but also not as easily available as national roaming. BSNL does not provide international roaming to its prepaid customers. Airtel does, but not to customers in East UP circle: This gets my goat as I reside in this circle. And then this roaming can prove to be very expensive if you were to respond to an incoming call by mistake.
I had found a solution for this. I put an app 'Relay ME' on my phone. Then I would leave my phone in India with someone who could ensure that it is kept charged and connected to the network. The app relays all received SMS to an email address configured in it. This did the job without having to go for international roaming.
Now many banks have introduced 'active token' for generating the OTP instead of receiving it from the bank. It is done through an app on customer's smartphone. The OTP can be generated whether or not you are in the coverage area of your GSM operator. However your SIM which has the mobile number registered with the Bank, must be present in the phone. Presto! carry your SIM with you and forget about international roaming. As long as you have a wi-fi connection you can carry out Internet banking unhindered.
Activating the "Token" app is just a little bit tricky. For this purpose you have to log into your Internet banking account, preferably on another device while activating the app on your smartphone. Also you must install the app on the phone which has the SIM for the registered mobile number. You will receive an SMS which will have an URL for activation and you have to click on this URL on the phone having the app and the SIM. However all the hassle is worth it.
Finally, having your Bank's mobile banking app on your phone also helps. It allows you to login and transfer funds without OTP. However when you are being redirected to bank's Internet banking site by an online merchant, you may have to resort to the "Active Token."
Do share your experience if you have been using an active token for banking transactions.
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