Advertising Disclosure
  1. Home
  2. Community
  3. Ask
  4. Is There A New Prerequisite If You Want To Bank At Ally Bank?

Is There A New Prerequisite If You Want To Bank At Ally Bank?

Kaight
  |     |   1,192 posts since 2011

I received an email from Ally Bank saying I needed to add a telephone number to my security profile. It was because they no longer would be confirming me using email.

I did as instructed. I added my telephone number to my Ally security profile. Instantly thereafter they came back saying future identity confirmations would arrive via text message. Just one problem:

My telephone is a landline. I cannot receive text messages.

At other banks, when this come up, they offer a choice for verification. You may choose text, or you may choose a voice call, to receive your verification code. The latter approach obviously works fine for me. But Ally Bank seems to believe text is the sole option. At least it's the only option they mention.

Is there a new prerequisite to do business at Ally Bank? Are they now requiring customers to use, and pay for, cell phone service?

  Post an answer
6


Answers
Kaight
  |     |   1,192 posts since 2011
"And I strongly suspect that Kaight did not exert the effort to log in to his Ally account via the Ally website. Had Kaight done so, using Ally's website, rather than initiating a thread on this website, I strongly suspect that Kaight would have received a phone call, with the "authenticated security code", precisely as set forth in Ally's e-mail."

Strong suspicions, at least in the instance of some individuals (see above), are oftentimes off the mark.

I of course did see the "or phone call" portion of Ally Bank's email message. But after going through their procedure, as instructed, the "or phone call" option morphed into "text" upon completion of their required drill.

So I did the obvious thing: I instantly picked up my telephone and sought to call Ally for clarification. However, that path led to an announced wait time of well over one hour to speak with an Ally Bank rep! I was unable to wait that long so I contacted Ally Bank via their secure email service. I'm still awaiting a reply to that inquiry.

Here is what I believe happened, and this exceeds mere "strong suspicion":

Cell phones today are ubiquitous. In particular among the younger persons who create the customer contact interface for Ally Bank, the notion of those confined to landlines is quaint, carries an antiquarian vibe, and is very easy to overlook. I encounter any number of examples of this in my day to day life here on the net.

I believe it most likely Ally Bank will offer a voice telephone option for authentication, even though this was not mentioned upon completion of their telephone number registration procedure. But for me, "most likely" is not good enough. I would have something of an emergency were I unable to access my Ally account. And the prospect of possibly having to endure their outsized wait times to reach a rep offers me no salve whatsoever, assuming that would even help.

Unable to find relief from Ally Bank itself I sought counsel here. I guess that was more than alan1 could tolerate. Nevertheless rest assured if alan1 ever has difficulty and seeks assistance here I will not castigate or criticize, but will instead do my level best to help.
Reply
8
alan1
  |     |   877 posts since 2015
Kaight --- I was in the same position you were -- I received the Ally e-mail, followed its instructions, logged on to the Ally website, and registered my landline. (I do not own a cell phone.) After doing so, the words "text message" appeared on the screen. The words "telephone call" did not appear on the screen. So what?

Then I logged off.

Of course, I wanted to make sure that my phone registration had actually gone through. So, I logged on again, and was offered two methods of receiving a security code -- a text message or a phone call. I selected the option to receive the code via phone call. A few seconds later, my phone rang.

At no point did I see any reason to seek "assistance". The system worked as stated in the e-mail.
Reply
3
Kaight
  |     |   1,192 posts since 2011
So what?

So that left open the question which is at the heart of my dilemma. I cannot tolerate a system which is limited to text messages.

Of course, I wanted to make sure that my phone registration had actually gone through.

I never had doubts about this. My issue instead was voice or text.

So, I logged on again, and was offered two methods of receiving a security code -- a text message or a phone call. I selected the option to receive the code via phone call. A few seconds later, my phone rang.

Ya got guts, kid. I assume you created an authentication challenge for yourself so you could learn whether or not voice was an option. I myself was unwilling to take that chance since, were it to turn out text was the only option, I would be in very hot water unable to access my Ally Bank account at least for a while. After completion of the Ally Bank drill specified in their email, my account access remained intact. And I was not about to do anything to imperil that status without learning in advance that I would be able to extricate myself using voice telephone authentication.
Reply
5
MY2CENTSWORTH
  |     |   436 posts since 2016
alan1, so why didn't you just simply say that the first time instead of being anal?
Reply
7
alan1
  |     |   877 posts since 2015
The answer to Kaight's question is a resounding "No".

from Ally e-mail, subject line "Action needed: Add a phone number to your Ally account":

As part of our continual efforts to keep your account safe and secure, we're making changes to the security code delivery settings for your Ally account. In short, we'll need you to update your preferences.

In order to log in moving forward, you'll only be able to receive an authenticated security code through a text message or phone call, not email.

What this means for you
You'll need to add a preferred phone number to your Security Code Delivery settings. Follow these quick steps:

Log in to your Ally account
Select Profile and Settings
Select Security Code Delivery
Add a phone number as security code delivery option

You can update this setting through the Ally mobile app or online.

(emphasis added)

I suspect that Kaight did not receive anything from Ally stating: "future identity confirmations would arrive via text message". I suspect Kaight saw the words "text message" on the Ally website, started assuming things, and somehow concluded that Ally would not send an "authenticated security code" via phone call, even though the e-mail clearly stated otherwise.

And I strongly suspect that Kaight did not exert the effort to log in to his Ally account via the Ally website. Had Kaight done so, using Ally's website, rather than initiating a thread on this website, I strongly suspect that Kaight would have received a phone call, with the "authenticated security code", precisely as set forth in Ally's e-mail.

And I invite Kaight to quote the message where Ally supposedly stated: "they came back saying future identity confirmations would arrive via text message." I suspect the words "text message" appeared on a screen, and Kaight wrongly concluded that text message was the only telephonic option. Just because an initial screen does not contain the words "telephone call" does not mean that it ain't an option.

When a bank website (or print ad or e-mail) has info re a CD offering, it's important to go through everything, including the disclosures, fine print, etc. Until then, you just don't know.

When a bank website (or print ad or e-mail) has info re a bonus, it's important to go through everything, including terms  and conditions, fine print, etc. Until then, you just don't know.

And when a bank has a change in its security protocols, it's important to go through the entirety of the process. Until then, you just don't know.
Reply
5
daylilly
  |     |   19 posts since 2022
I followed the steps and added my phone number, but then they asked again for my password. I typed it in and they rejected it because it has special characters. Yet that password has always worked to get me logged in. :(
Reply
2
CDsuckers
  |     |   70 posts since 2022
I always love it when people ask for help.
And, then complain about the help that they get.
Reply
4
CTM
  |     |   179 posts since 2010
When prompting for where to send the security code, it will also ask if you want a text or a voice call.

To test this, you can simply delete the cookies for ally.com in your browser. The next login attempt will trigger sending the security code.

And ... Having a cell phone is not such a terrible idea.  There are any number of low use plans that range from free(ish) to ~ $ 30.00 per year.  HSN, QVC and Tracfone via eBay routinely have a flip phone with a year of low-use service for $ 30.00 - $ 40.00.
Reply
3
jamesstewart
  |     |   64 posts since 2011
I have a cell phone for emergencies or a few calls/texts per month. It is a simple flip phone through Page Plus Cellular that costs $10 every 4 months ($2.50/mo). Prepaid rate is .06/min and .10/ text. The unused balance carries over. I mostly use my landline (no text).
Reply
2
CDsuckers
  |     |   70 posts since 2022
Hey, I had it even worse than you.
Cox Cable took away my landline.
Nobody else would replace it.
I got a free gophone and a flat $25 a month unlimited call plan.
Cox ended-up saving me money on the deal.
As far as Ally goes.
I'd just give them a call during off-hours to work things out.
But the fact that they didn't give some advance notice on this is beyond stupid.
Or, that they assume that everyone has a cell phone.
Are you locked out of your account now?
Reply
3
fliegeroh
  |     |   116 posts since 2022
They really should offer email as a choice. Why don't you call them. All the banks I use still have it as an option. I have Ally too but I don't remember them not letting me use email. Of course, I have a cell phone and I usually get a text for dual verification.
Reply
2


The financial institution, product, and APY (Annual Percentage Yield) data displayed on this website is gathered from various sources and may not reflect all of the offers available in your region. Although we strive to provide the most accurate data possible, we cannot guarantee its accuracy. The content displayed is for general information purposes only; always verify account details and availability with the financial institution before opening an account. Contact [email protected] to report inaccurate info or to request offers be included in this website. We are not affiliated with the financial institutions included in this website.