The building society sometimes requires customers to use a card reader for some online banking transactions
Nationwide has introduced new ways to verify payments (Image: Bloomberg, Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Nationwide customers can now send money to family and friends that they haven’t paid before by using a selfie.
The building society sometimes requires customers to use a card reader for some online banking transactions – including incidences where you have not made a payment to that person before.
But in a major update, Nationwide customers will be able to use a photo of themselves to verify their identity.
Customers need to log into their account and go to their profile and settings, then click “remove the card reader” and follow the steps. You will need to use your card reader one more time to get a secure passcode, then take a picture of their face to prove your identity.
After this, you won’t need to use a card reader to send payments if you don’t want to. Nationwide introduced biometric authentication last year and said it was being rolled out to customers.
Another way to confirm your identity is by using your fingerprint to authorise payments. It explains on the Nationwide website: “Setting up account biometrics in our app gives you an extra layer of security for sensitive requests.
“For example, bigger payments and resetting your passnumber. With account biometrics, you won’t need your card reader or debit card to log in or make payments.”
A Nationwide spokesperson said: “Last year we introduced selfie authentication for app users to provide a secure and seamless banking experience.
“For those who want this and pass the checks, this means app users won’t need to use a card reader if they don’t want to.”
It comes after Martin Lewis’ MoneySavingExpert.com team has explained how to maximise your chance of getting a free £100 from Nationwide later this year.
The building society has given some existing customers a £100 Fairer Share bonus for the past three years.
Nationwide has not confirmed whether it will definitely issue a fourth round of payments this year, but a decision will likely be announced as part of its full-year results in May.
In 2025, over four million Nationwide members received the £100 Fairer Share bonus, with payments made between June and July.
In the past, Nationwide customers have had to qualify for the Fairer Share bonus – and MSE has explained that this period usually relates to the first three months of the year.
If you don’t bank with Nationwide, MSE says you can get £175 by switching to it by March 31, 2026.