Confirming your identity

The way banks verify your identity has changed. The new rules, known as Strong Customer Authentication (SCA), aim to protect your money from fraudsters.

First published: 12/08/2019 Last updated: 27/03/2023 See all updates

You may have noticed changes to the way you verify your identity when banking or shopping online. This is because the authentication process has changed.

Authentication is the process that your bank or payment services provider uses to establish that it’s really you.

It aims to make sure that the person requesting access to your account, or trying to make a payment, is either you or someone you’ve given consent to.

The new rules, known as Strong Customer Authentication (SCA), aim to reduce the risk of a fraudster pretending to be you to steal your money.

Accessing your accounts and making payments

SCA affects how you access your account online or when making payments.

Your bank or other payment services provider should keep you up to date if it’s planning any further changes to the way you’re authenticated. Contact your bank or other payment services provider if you’d like more information.

Read MoneyHelper’s guide on how to stay safe when using online banking.

Protect yourself from scams

Never share your bank account or credit card details unless you’re certain who you’re dealing with.

If you’ve already given fraudsters this information, tell your bank immediately using the contact details on the Financial Services Register.

Find out more about how to protect yourself from scams and how to report a scam.

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30/04/2020: Information changed Coronavirus update