NS&I Catch 22
Posted: December 9th, 2022, 12:46 am
On attempting to log into my National Savings and Investment account, after entering my ID number and password, I was informed that they had now introduced 2-factor authentication, and in order to proceed, they would need to be able to setup my account to recognise my PC. In order to do this, they would send me, on my phone (who's BT landline number was stored in my account), a one-time passcode which I should enter on the PC. So I waited for the code - but it never arrived. I tried this repeatedly - but no code arrived - and I couldn't proceed. But there was a screen prompt which suggested that I could change the telephone number. I wondered if the problem was the landline number - perhaps it required a mobile number. So I ticked the box to change the number, and had to enter my ID number and password again, then I received an automated phone call which told me to login to my account, and change the telephone number there. But of course I still couldn't complete a login - Catch 22.
At this stage I started looking through all of the NS&I help files, and I eventually found
But what is a VIP List, and how do I enter data into it? So more searching on the BT site - and I found I could carry this out by dialling 1572, and selecting the appropriate menu item - which I did.
Now back to NS&I, and this time I received a phone call with a one time pass code, and on entering it, I moved one step further. I was now required to create and enter a (new) 6-digit PIN, which now joins an ID number, a password, and a list of 6 responses to questions that they might ask. And I assume that they will now have logged this computer as part of the authentication. And presumably I will need to go through all of this if I want to use another device (PC, Mobile Phone or Tablet)?
And a final complaint, why is NS&I using their phone number 08085 007 007,when they appear to know that it is likely to be blocked by the phone network? I have received automated calls with passcodes from several other sources - and none have been blocked.
![Evil or Very Mad :evil:](./images/smilies/icon_evil.gif)
At this stage I started looking through all of the NS&I help files, and I eventually found
Your phone network could be automatically blocking the call or sending it to a junk voicemail folder. To unblock the call, you may need to add the following numbers to your networks VIP list:
08085 007 007
But what is a VIP List, and how do I enter data into it? So more searching on the BT site - and I found I could carry this out by dialling 1572, and selecting the appropriate menu item - which I did.
Now back to NS&I, and this time I received a phone call with a one time pass code, and on entering it, I moved one step further. I was now required to create and enter a (new) 6-digit PIN, which now joins an ID number, a password, and a list of 6 responses to questions that they might ask. And I assume that they will now have logged this computer as part of the authentication. And presumably I will need to go through all of this if I want to use another device (PC, Mobile Phone or Tablet)?
And a final complaint, why is NS&I using their phone number 08085 007 007,when they appear to know that it is likely to be blocked by the phone network? I have received automated calls with passcodes from several other sources - and none have been blocked.
![Evil or Very Mad :evil:](./images/smilies/icon_evil.gif)