First Active e-savings account

MysticX said:
Err...I never got any of the card reader stuff. Do you have to explicitly request it?
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No - they sent it out automatically to me anyway.
Sounds like something that I will need eventually, so is it much trouble getting it up and running?
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I thought it was easy enough. Have you looked at the "tutorial"?
 
Easy easy I have to say... But I agree I'm disappointed you still can't create payees...
 
I must admit to being puzzled with the references to a Card Reader linked to the FA eSaver account.

I have both FA eSaver and the new FA Regular Saver account.

I have set up my Halifax account as a payee from my eSaver, by contacting FA customer services (very easy).

I can move money from the Regular Saver to the eSaver with FA on-line banking, and out to my Halifax Current a/c if necessary.

I got an ATM Card in the post for the Reg Saver, but no mention of the Card Reader!!

As I had not requested an ATM card for use, I rang FA locally, and they said these cards issue whether requested or not, but not to worry, I don't have to activate it, just destroy!!!!

Am I an eejit, or what

I just thought that I have enough cards, and I can easily move money to my Halifax account and use my Halifax card, if I need to.

However, I am disappointed that FA locally did not mention this Card Reader, as I love gadgets, and enhanced security.

Is there not also a Government Tax for those ATM cards??
 
Hi irishpancake, excellent comments!!! When I got the ATM card from FA (because connected to the reg. saver) I ran straight to the local subsidiary asking them to destroy it because:
- I never requested it
- there is govt. stamp duty on it
 
irishpancake said:
I have set up my Halifax account as a payee from my eSaver, by contacting FA customer services (very easy).

I can move money from the Regular Saver to the eSaver with FA on-line banking, and out to my Halifax Current a/c if necessary.
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I have just done the same with my PTSB current account as the destination. Haven't tried it the other way yet.
I got an ATM Card in the post for the Reg Saver, but no mention of the Card Reader!!
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The card I got for my eSavings account is an "Online Banking Card". On the back it says "This is not a payment card". I got the card one day, the reader another day and the initial PIN for the paid on a third day.
As I had not requested an ATM card for use, I rang FA locally, and they said these cards issue whether requested or not, but not to worry, I don't have to activate it, just destroy!!!!
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SD is only charged on ATM cards if you actually use them in any tax year.
Am I an eejit, or what
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I don't think so. The plethora of accounts, card types, credentials, security mechanisms etc. can be confusing in my opinion.
I just thought that I have enough cards, and I can easily move money to my Halifax account and use my Halifax card, if I need to.
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I'm not sure if the card reader only applies to the eSavings account or other FA accounts.
Is there not also a Government Tax for those ATM cards??
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[broken link removed].

 
Does your card say "On-Line Banking Card" on it? This is not an ATM card it is just for use with the reader. No TAX on the card if it isn't useable in an ATM machine.
 
GeneralZod said:
Does your card say "On-Line Banking Card" on it? This is not an ATM card it is just for use with the reader. No TAX on the card if it isn't useable in an ATM machine.
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And no tax on an ATM or debit or combined ATM/debit card that is not used during the year. Unlike CCs which are subject to SD once issued ATM/debit cards are only subject to SD if they are used.
 
GeneralZod said:
Does your card say "On-Line Banking Card" on it? This is not an ATM card it is just for use with the reader. No TAX on the card if it isn't useable in an ATM machine.
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Hi General.

The bits of the now cut-up card I have recovered say "F/A Reg Sav" with the NSC shown below....(God, I feel stupid rummaging in my bin here, hope no-one sees me again).

And of course my name Mr. Irish Pancake

It is called an ATM card, and ther is an activation sticker on it, which can be removed once the PIN is issued, following FA's receipt of my Activation Form, to be sent in by pre-paid envelope.

So I don't know if this is a real ATM card or not, but it came with info regarding use internationally, in the UK, and in Ireland, particularly UB ATM's.

Thanks Clubman, there will definitely be no Tax paid on this particular card, as I have just cut up the bits it was already cut into, as an added security measure
 
Just a question. I went over the 15k threshold on the a/c - FA put a extra 0 in my direct debit and took 1800 euro too much into the a/c ! I then made a withdrawl to bring the balance back below 15k (and fixed the direct debit). Will i get the higher interest rate applied again to the balance as it is below 15k again.
 
Irishpancake, it sounds like you do have a cut-up ATM card there. The Online Banking Card is black with a grey strip at the bottom and writing in white except for the 16 digit number that's in embossed silver. On the back it says "this is not a payment card".
 
Mmmm okay got no cards or associated card reader in the post... lucky me.
I signed up for online banking via the web... which I presumed you guys did as well? Didn't miss a checkbox for the card reader or anything did I?
Once you were setup with online banking, did it take long for the card reader, card and pin to arrive? (just in case they're gridlocked in the post due to the recent Xmas period)

Well don't need the ATM card so no loss there, though so far I didn't need a card reader for any actions on online banking. Namely adding payees(phone FA telephone banking) and moving interest out to external accounts(requiring only PIN digits).

So from a functional point of view, it's optional? It's intended goals are:
-Enhanced security
-Less hassle to do certain things(i.e. not having to call FA)?

Well from FA help regarding getting a cr:

Mmmm so definetly worth a shot calling the number above to get one to ensure you'll have full capabilities online, if not for the extra security? No charges I hope?
 
Guys, I got the ATM card as well with my FA Reg. Saver... And it's called ATM card in the letter...No risk of confusion!
 
MysticX said:
Mmmm okay got no cards or associated card reader in the post... lucky me.
I signed up for online banking via the web... which I presumed you guys did as well?
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Yes in my case.
Didn't miss a checkbox for the card reader or anything did I?
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No. Maybe they just haven't gotten around to sending the cards/readers/PINs out to all eSavings customers yet?
Once you were setup with online banking, did it take long for the card reader, card and pin to arrive? (just in case they're gridlocked in the post due to the recent Xmas period)
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I opened my eSavings account back in August. I only got the other stuff before Xmas. I don't think that the card/reader was available before this. I think they're only rolling it out now.
Well don't need the ATM card so no loss there, though so far I didn't need a card reader for any actions on online banking. Namely adding payees(phone FA telephone banking) and moving interest out to external accounts(requiring only PIN digits).
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At the moment even if you have the card/reader you don't have to use it. You can explicitly enable it if you choose. Not sure if they will eventually make it mandatory?
So from a functional point of view, it's optional? It's intended goals are:
-Enhanced security
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Yes.
-Less hassle to do certain things(i.e. not having to call FA)?
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Not sure.
Mmmm so definetly worth a shot calling the number above to get one to ensure you'll have full capabilities online, if not for the extra security? No charges I hope?
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No charges.
 

It's calculated daily and added monthly so in theory wouldn't you get the lower rate for those days in which you were over 15K, though as soon as you knocked it back below 15K it should switch back to the higher rate for the following days? Not sure if its different in practise...
 
have the fa made any statement or promises how long they intend to keep this 5.22% rate?
 

Hi there General Z

Guess what was waiting for me on arrival home this evening??

Only the sef-same First Active "Online Banking Card", as described by your good self

They have called it a replacement card in the mail that came with the card.

The mail is headed "Even Tighter Security for our FA Online Banking Service".

They point me towards for more info re enhanced security.

So next I can expect a pin, and then the Card Reader??

I can't wait, I'm so excited
 
You will get the card reader in a few days. Then you will get the initial PIN for the card/reader. Did you not read the earlier parts of this thread where all of this is already covered?
 
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