First Direct customers are facing the prospect of an arduous extra security check in order to make online payments.
The bank will begin asking customers to type in their email address as well as their one-time passcode when making online card payments.
First Direct claims the decision has been made to make the payment process more secure and protect customers from fraud.




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'If it doesn't match, payments may not go through until we can confirm it's you making them.
'As fraudsters become more sophisticated, we believe it's in the substantial public interest to include this extra layer of security to protect you and your payments from fraud.'
With banks advising customers to ignore text messages requesting personal information such as email addresses, some customers may also be forgiven for querying whether the prompt is genuine.  

Can you avoid the email address security check?
There is an alternative route for those First Direct customers who don't want to type their email address in order to receive a one-time passcode - but they'll have to use the First Direct mobile app or a card reader.
You can log into the app by using a Digital Secure Key password or by using Tough ID or Face ID on your mobile phone. Once on, you can confirm a debit or credit card payment.
To do this, you select the First Direct app whenever you see the request to confirm a card payment while you're checking out during an online purchase.
Once you're on the app you can either confirm or reject the payment. To confirm, you'll just need to use your fingerprint recognition or Digital Secure Key to confirm it's you.




Once that's done you then need to return to the checkout and click 'Payment confirmed on Mobile App to complete the purchase.
A first direct spokesperson said: 'Protecting our customers against fraud is our first priority, and we see the implementation of Secure Customer Authentication as a positive step towards helping reduce fraud and make online card payments more secure.
'Asking a customer to enter an email address together with a One Time Passcode is just one of the ways a customer can verify a payment online. 
'The primary method for customers to confirm a payment is by using the first direct mobile banking app, and we also offer a physical card reader option for those who would prefer that method.
'We employ a range of security methods to help keep our customers safe. Behavioural biometrics is a valuable addition to our fraud-fighting toolbox, making it easier to spot fraudsters while also helping legitimate payments to be processed more quickly and with less friction.'





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