Dial M for money The phone app that withdraws cash hits UK

FORGETTING your wallet on a big night out need never be a problem again.



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From today The Royal Bank of Scotland is letting customers withdraw money from a cash machine — using their mobile phone rather than a card.

All you need is the bank’s GetCash app and you can take out up to £100 of your money at a time.

It’s a first for any UK bank and RBS hope the innovation will be the first step towards cardless ATMs.

The 2.4million customers who already have the RBS banking app on their phone will be able to use the GetCash option from today.

They can access their money at 8,000 RBS, NatWest and Tesco ATMs around the country — after requesting and receiving a secret six-digit pin which is only valid for three hours.

The GetCash app can also be used to give money to a friend or relative — by sending a secure text containing a pin.

They can then use this to withdraw money from a participating cash point.

Ben Green, head of mobile at NatWest and RBS, said: “This has never been done anywhere in the UK, and yet it’s a really simple and secure way to help our customers get cash whenever and wherever they need it.

“We’ve heard countless stories from customers who have left their wallet behind or parents who need a quick way to send money to their children immediately.”

NatWest, part of RBS Group, say they are certain the app is not open to abuse by fraudsters.

A spokesman said: “We have spent loads of time making sure the security on this is very, very tight.

“To get on the banking app itself you have to have a six-digit pincode.

“If you put in the pin wrong a number of times it will lock you out. If you don’t use the banking app for a period of time it will time out and can’t be accessed.

“If there are any cases of fraud — just as with going to an ATM if someone gets hold of your card — then we refund.”

The app can be accessed using iPhones and iPads plus Android and BlackBerry smartphones.

It can also be used to check balances, transfer money and to find your nearest ATM.

                                             How it works

App-y to help ... banking app works on a range of phones


 1. Log on to the RBS banking app using your PIN.                                  

2. Choose the GetCash option. Type in amount you wish to withdraw.

3. You will be sent a unique six-digit pin.

4. Go to one of 8,000 participating cash points.

5. Press “Enter” on ATM.

6. Follow the prompts for “Emergency cash” and enter cash code and the amount you requested.

7. If the details are correct the money will be issued – up to £100 a time.

8. Use GetCash as many times as you want – so long as you don’t go over your daily withdrawal limit.

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