Internet Savings Questions
Select a question to jump to it.
Requirements and Settings:
- What type of computer and software do I need to use?
- What settings do I need?
- I get the message "Insufficient Encryption: This document requires a larger secret key size" when I try to register or log in.
- When I try and log in, I receive the message "Security Alert: The security certificate has expired or is not yet valid".
- I've received an email from Birmingham Midshires, but parts of it are missing, or pictures are replaced with an X.
Computer/Internet Problems:
- I am using AOL and having trouble viewing my account or registering
- I keep on being sent to the login page, or I get messages about being logged out.
- I can access the Web site but I'm having trouble signing-in, what should I do?
- I can't print my statements/I get a message saying "File Is Damaged"
Account Problems:
- I can't get it to accept my password or security details when activating my account.
- Shut down whilst still connected
- I have logged on correctly but am unable to view a list of my accounts.
What type of computer and software do I need to use?
We know that the Internet Savings account works on the following platforms:
- A PC running Windows 98,2000 or XP; using Internet Explorer 5 or later
- An Apple Macintosh running OS X 10.2 and later; using Safari 2 or later, or Firefox 1 or later
(Please note that Internet Explorer for Mac is no longer available from Microsoft. Although it can be used, it does not correctly display the style sheet inside the account, and makes it difficult to operate.)
We recommend that if you are having difficulties, you check first with the browser provider's website, to see if a more recent version is available.
To print your statements, you will need to use Adobe Acrobat reader, which is available from Adobe's website.
If you need assistance in upgrading your computer or software, you should refer to the manual supplied with your computer, or contact an IT professional, as we are unable to provide support in these matters.
What settings do I need?
Most PCs are set up correctly to use our Internet Savings Account. However, there are some settings that prevent access. We've got the recommended settings for using our account below.
Internet Explorer 4/5: Checking your Security and Privacy Level
- Load Internet Explorer, then click on Tools which appears on the menu bar at the top of the screen, then select Internet Options.
- Click on the Security tab. Click on Internet Zone and then click Custom Level. Look for Allow cookies that are stored on your computer, and then select Enable. Look for Accept per session cookies and select Enable.
- Click OK to save the settings, then shut Internet Explorer down.
Internet Explorer 6: Checking your Security and Privacy Level
- Load Internet Explorer, then click on Tools which appears on the menu bar at the top of the screen, then select Internet Options.
- Click on the Security tab, then click Internet Zone, and click Default Level. Then, move the 'slider' to Medium Level.
- Click on the Privacy tab, and click Default Level. Then, move the 'slider' to Medium Level.
- Click OK to save the settings, then shut Internet Explorer down.
Internet Explorer : Disabling Content Advisor
The Content Advisor in Internet Explorer may stop you being able to register and move around the online system. You must disable it when using the Internet Savings Account.
- Load Internet Explorer, then click on Tools which appears on the menu bar at the top of the screen, then select Internet Options.
- Click on the Content tab, and check what is listed at the top of this tab.
- If it shows Disable and Settings:
- You should click Disable, and enter the password you selected when you turned this option on. If you can't remember the password, or didn't set it, we cannot assist with this. you'll be unable to disable the Content Advisor.
- The buttons will change to Enable and Settings.
- You can then click on OK, then close Internet Explorer.
- If it shows Enable and Settings:
- You do not need to change anything; this is the correct setting to access our Internet Easy Access account.
If you rely on Content Advisor to restrict access to unrated websites on your PC, you should re-enable it after using the account.
If you're experiencing problems that relate specifically to the operation or setup of your Internet software, please refer your queries to your Internet service provider.
I get the message "Insufficient Encryption: This document requires a larger secret key size" when I try to register or log in.
If you're using a version of Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator that does not support secure sites, you'll receive this message. You'll need to upgrade to the latest version of your preferred browser, and be sure that it installs support for 128bit security; the manufacturer's website will tell you this.
When I try and log in, I receive the message "Security Alert: The security certificate has expired or is not yet valid".
If you're using an old version of a browser, this message may appear suggesting that our sites security certificate is not valid. This is not true. Changes to the technology used by Verisign, the issuer of our security certificate, mean that older versions of some browsers are unable to read updated certificates.
If you're getting this alert then we suggest you update your browser.
I've received an email from Birmingham Midshires, but parts of it are missing, or pictures are replaced with an X.
We make our emails easier to identify by branding them with our logo, and having some of the headers appear as pictures. Many email programs block pictures by default, to protect you from malicious content.
To ensure that you can always see our emails, add bm@esavingsaccount.co.uk to your 'safe senders' email list, or look at the top of the email window for an option to 'show all pictures in this email'.
If you're using Outlook 2003, you can read this article: http://office.microsoft.com/en-gb/assistance/HP010440221033.aspx
If you're using Outlook Express, you can read this article: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/843018
Please refer to your email program instructions for further information if you're still unsure how to view the content of the email.
I am using AOL and having trouble viewing my account or registering.
This may sometimes happen if you're using the 'in built' browser in AOL - when you log in for the first time, AOL shows you a screen that you can type a web address into. What you need to do is connect to AOL, minimise the program, then launch the Internet Explorer or Netscape program already on your PC.
If you're experiencing problems that relate specifically to the operation or setup of your Internet software, please refer your queries to your Internet Service Provider.
I keep on being sent to the login page, or I get messages about being logged out.
This is because your browser settings are not correct. You may have some items switched on that prevent you accessing the Birmingham Midshires Internet Savings Account. Please read the question under 'What settings do I need?'
If you're experiencing problems that relate specifically to the operation or setup of your Internet software, please refer your queries to your Internet Service Provider.
I can access the Web site but I'm having trouble signing-in, what should I do?
Please check that you've entered your security details exactly as requested. If you're still experiencing difficulties, Please call the Internet Savings Team on 0845 850 0059* for assistance. Lines are open 8am - 8pm Monday - Saturday.
I can't print my statements/I get a message saying "File Is Damaged".
You should not click the PRINT button on your browser to print the page; we've provided a correctly printed statement in an easy to view format. To print this, press the print button that is located on the Internet Savings screen. It is shown on the Mini Statement and Full Statement pages.
When you press the print button, a new window opens, and an Adobe PDF file is opened, which contains a copy of your statement.
If the window does not open, please see if you've a pop-up-blocker installed. You can sometimes temporarily override a pop-up-blocker by holding the CTRL key when you click on a link. Unfortunately, we're unable to provide help with how to use a pop-up-blocker, but if you identify you've one installed, and this is stopping you viewing your statement, please contact the program's maker.
If you receive an error message saying 'the file is damaged' or a dialog box that states that there is a problem, or the pop up window stays white, then you may be experiencing a problem with the software installed on your computer. Please check that you've the most recent version of Adobe Acrobat Reader; see the above question for more details.
I can't get it to accept my password or security details when activating my account.
When you're trying to activate your account, you must make sure that you follow these rules:
- The password must be a mix of letters and numbers - the numbers cannot be at the start or the end.
- The memorable date must be in the format of the example given. 2 figures for the day, 2 figures for the month, and 4 figures for the year, separated by the hyphen character which looks like this -
- The memorable place cannot include any numbers or punctuation
- Your memorable book or film cannot be exactly 11 characters. Try keeping it under 10 characters.
What happens if I shut down whilst still connected
If you lose your Internet connection whilst viewing or using your account, or registering or activating your application, providing you do not close down your Internet browser you should be re-connected to the page you were viewing before you lost your connection.
The account is programmed to close itself down after a certain period of inactivity - i.e. if you do not use any of the product functions, or enter any data. If you do not regain your Internet connection within this period you'll need to re-enter your security details if you're an existing customer, or re-commence the registration and activation processes if you're a new customer. In the latter case all data so far entered will be lost.
If your Internet browser is shut down (i.e. because of a computer crash), you'll need to re-enter your security details if you're an existing customer, or recommence the registration and activation processes if you're a new customer. In the latter case all data so far entered will be lost.
If you loose your connection whilst using the funds transfer function, and are uncertain as to whether your instruction was completed, please log-in to your account at a later time and check as to whether the transaction has appeared on your account details.
I have logged on correctly but am unable to view a list of my accounts.
You need to telephone our Internet Savings Team on 0845 850 0059*. Lines are open 8am - 8pm Monday - Saturday
Calls may be monitored and recorded for security and training purposes. 0845 numbers may not be available outside the UK. Calls to 0845 numbers from BT landlines will cost a maximum of 4p per minute, plus a 6p call set up fee. The price of calls from other telephone companies will vary. The call price is correct at today's date. Lines are open between 8.00am and 8.00pm, Monday to Saturday.
