Banking Without the Internet

Last checked November 2026. Offers and rules change: confirm with the provider before you rely on them.

You can run a bank account perfectly well without the internet. Between telephone banking, the Post Office counter, cash machines, any remaining branch or banking hub and the post, every everyday job can still be done offline.

What you can do, and where

Job	Telephone banking	Post Office	Branch or banking hub	Cash machine
Check your balance	Yes	Most banks	Yes	Yes
Take out cash	No	Yes	Yes	Yes
Pay in cash	No	Most banks	Yes	Some machines
Pay in a cheque	No (but you can post it)	Most banks	Yes	Some machines
Pay a bill or send money	Yes	Some bills	Branch: yes. Hub counter: bills	Some machines
Set up or cancel a standing order or Direct Debit	Yes	No	Branch, or the community banker at a hub	No
Report a lost card or a fraud	Yes, day and night	No	Yes, in opening hours	No

What is available does vary from bank to bank, so treat the table as a general guide and ask your own bank.

Telephone banking

Every large bank offers telephone banking, and it is the nearest thing to a branch in your living room. There are usually two parts: an automated service, where you press keys or speak to hear your balance and recent payments, and advisers you can talk to for anything more involved.

Getting set up

Ring the customer service number printed on the back of your bank card or on a statement. Do not use a number from a text, an email or a caller.
Say you would like to register for telephone banking. The bank will check who you are and help you choose a security number or password.
Each time you ring, you will be asked for only some digits or letters, for example the second and fifth. Nobody genuine ever asks for the whole thing.

Some banks offer "voice ID", which recognises your voice instead of a password. Keep your account number and sort code (the six-digit number that identifies your branch) to hand when you call.

Tip: if you find automated menus hard to follow or have trouble hearing, tell the bank. Most can put a note on your account so you are passed straight to a person, and many have a dedicated line for customers who need extra help. A big button phone with a loudspeaker makes long calls easier.

The Post Office

Customers of nearly all UK banks can take out cash, check a balance and pay in cash and cheques at a Post Office counter, using their ordinary bank card and PIN. With more than eleven thousand branches, it is now the nearest "bank counter" for many people. Our guide to Post Office everyday banking lists what to take and what cannot be done there.

Branches, hubs and mobile banks

Branches: if your own bank still has one within reach, it remains the place for complicated matters such as bereavement, powers of attorney or large payments. Ring ahead for an appointment.
Banking hubs: shared premises on the high street where customers of any major bank can use the counter, and staff from different banks attend on set days. See bank branch closures and banking hubs.
Mobile branches and pop-ups: some banks send a van or a member of staff to a library or community hall on a timetable. Ask your bank whether one visits your area.

Cash machines and cashback

Most cash machines in the UK are free to use; a machine that charges must say so on the screen before you go ahead. Many shops also offer cashback at the till with a debit card, and some now offer it without your having to buy anything. Our page on cash and cheques explains how to find free cash near you.

Staying safe offline

Fraudsters target people who bank by telephone as much as those who bank online.

Your bank, the police and the tax office will never ring to ask for your PIN or password, never send someone to collect your card, and never ask you to move money to keep it "safe".
If a call feels wrong, hang up. Wait a few minutes, or use a different phone, then ring the number on your card. Many banks can also be reached on the short number 159.
Shield the keypad when you enter your PIN, and never write it on or near the card.
Check each statement and query anything you do not recognise straight away.

Watch out: being offline does not make you scam-proof. Phone calls, letters and doorstep callers are all used by criminals. Read spotting scams, and use our scam checker if you are unsure about a call or letter.

Help from someone you trust

If getting about or using the phone is hard, you can give a relative or friend formal permission to help. A third-party mandate lets them operate the account on your instructions; a lasting power of attorney covers the time when you may not be able to decide for yourself. Some banks offer a separate "carer's card" with a small spending limit for someone who shops for you. Never simply hand over your own card and PIN: it breaks the account terms and you may lose your right to a refund if money goes missing.

Common questions

Does telephone banking cost extra?

The service is normally free, and most banks use freephone or standard-rate numbers. Check the number on your card and what your phone package includes. Our landline digital switchover guide explains what is changing with home phones.

My bank says a service is "online only". What can I do?

Explain that you do not use the internet and ask what alternative it can offer. Banks are expected to treat customers fairly and consider reasonable adjustments. If you get nowhere, complain, and then go to the Financial Ombudsman Service.

Who can give me impartial help?

MoneyHelper has a free telephone helpline, and Citizens Advice and Age UK offer face-to-face help in many areas. If you would like to try going online one day, see online banking for beginners.