Banking services and withdrawing cash during the Coronavirus pandemic
There are a number of national initiatives available to help you access funds if you are unable to leave your home. These include supermarket shopping cards and volunteer payment schemes.
Supermarket shopping cards
These can be purchased online and either emailed or printed so that the trusted person who is shopping for you can complete payment in store. Shopping cards have a unique barcode meaning your volunteer shopper doesn’t need access to your bank or credit card. Details of the supermarkets who are part of this scheme are as follows:
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Allows you to load amounts between £5 and £150. You can buy a reloadable shopping card |
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Allows you to load amounts between £1 and £1,000. Vulnerable customers can call 0800 029 4592 to top up their shopping card. Cards are posted within two to three working days. |
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Allows you to load amounts between £10 and £500 |
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These are emailed or posted to the person’s address. Allows you to load amounts between £10 and £250 |
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Allows you to load amounts between £10 and £500 and can be emailed, printed or saved onto a phone for use at the checkout |
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Allows you to load amounts between £1 and £200. You can buy a reloadable shopping card (but will not accept payments against online shopping) |
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Allows you to load amounts between £5 and £250 and is emailed to the person shopping on your behalf for use at the checkout |
Post Office Fast PACE service
Post Office Fast PACE service allows you to contact your bank and explain that you want to withdraw cash using the Fast Track Cheque Enrichment Service. Your bank will inform the Post Office of the maximum cheque amount they are allowed to cash. You can then arrange for a volunteer to collect a cheque from you and cash it at a Post Office branch.
Post Office Payout
Post Office Payout allows you to arrange an agreed cash payment to a trusted person you have agreed can shop for you. Once you have signed up, you can send a unique bar code to the person you want to make payment to. They show the bar code at the Post Office and are given the cash amount you have agreed to pay, meaning your volunteer shopper doesn’t need access to your bank or credit card.
Other major banks and building societies also have similar arrangements.
Banking services to support vulnerable customers
A number of major banks below have set up support arrangements for vulnerable customers and unable to leave their home.
Banking services being offered may change from time to time, so it is advisable to contact your bank directly to get the latest information on the services that are available.
|
Bank |
Customer Contact number |
Dedicated Support line for customers over 70 or those in isolation |
Redeploying or directing resources to support vulnerable customers |
Cash Delivery Service |
Payout and/or Fast Pace Service |
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RBS |
0800 051 4177 |
Y |
|
Y |
Y |
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NatWest |
0800 051 4176 |
Y |
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Y |
Y |
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Ulster NI |
0800 092 4238 |
Y |
|
Y |
Y |
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Metro Bank |
0345 08 08 500 |
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Y |
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Lloyds Bank |
0345 072 5555 |
Y |
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Halifax |
0345 720 3040 |
Y |
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Bank of Scotland |
0345 721 3141 |
Y |
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Santander |
0800 9 123 123 |
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Y |
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Barclays |
03457 345 345 |
|
Y |
Y |
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HSBC |
03457 404 404 |
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Y |
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TSB |
03459 758 758 |
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Y |
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Co-operative Bank |
03457 212 212 |
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Nationwide |
0800 30 20 11 |
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Y |
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Post Office |
0345 740 740 |
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Y |
Y |
Unfortunately, the Coronavirus outbreak has provided an opportunity to fraudsters to target people within our society at this difficult and worrying time. Please read or fraud awareness information to ensure you don't become a victim.
