Spending tips

Find out how to pay money in and make payments with your Money Smart Accounts.

Let’s see the different ways money can come in and go out of your Money Smart Spending and Savings Accounts.

A Bank Transfer is when money goes from one person’s account to another’s. Someone could pay you like this by sending money from their bank account to yours, using your account number and sort code.

You can also use ‘Pay a contact’. Instead of using an account number and sort code, you use their mobile number, and pay them with our app.

Set up a Direct Debit.

A Direct Debit means you allow a company to take money out of your account on a set date (or nearest working day).

Use a Direct Debit to pay for something you want to pay regularly – like a monthly subscription, or mobile phone bill.

Start a Standing Order.

It’s a payment that’s always the same amount, going out of your account at the same time.

You choose when and how often it goes. For example you could make a payment to your Smart Savings Account on the 1st day of every month. Set an end date for it to stop, or it can be ongoing until you cancel it.

You can see these payments using our Mobile Banking app and Online Banking.

You can also pay a cheque into your Smart Spending Account using our app – just take a photo of it and follow the steps, it’s easy.

And you can also pay using Google Pay® if you’re at least 16 years old, or Apple Pay® if you’re 13 years old or over.

They are a quick and easy way to pay with your phone (as long as your phone supports it).

When you’ve set up Apple Pay® or Google Pay®, you’ll then be able to use your phone just like your card. When you see the Contactless symbol in-store, just tap and pay.

And to help you manage your money we’ve set up payment and spending limits. You can see these limits in your Getting Started Guide.

Plus, if you’re about to reach your balance limit, and have smart alerts set up on our app, we’ll send you a text notification, so you’ll always know how much money you have left.

Don’t forget, you can easily keep track of your balance anytime. Just sign into Online Banking using our mobile app, a tablet or computer.

For more handy tips and help with your accounts, watch our other videos on the Money Smart web page.

Here’s how to use your debit card and PIN.

First, remember to sign your card and memorise your PIN.

Your PIN is like a key that unlocks your account and card. It keeps your money safe, so always keep the number secret.

You can change your PIN at any Halifax cash machine. Just enter the PIN we sent you, then choose a new PIN. Make sure it’s easy for you to remember but impossible for someone to easily guess.

And if you can’t remember your PIN, use our Mobile Banking app to view it instantly.

Never tell anyone your PIN. They might use it to take money out of your account or buy things without you knowing. And never post photos of your card online.

Once you’ve bought something for the first time with your debit card and PIN, you can then use the contactless feature.

You can pay contactless in places where you see the Contactless symbol. Just tap and pay up to the contactless limit.

If you use your debit card to shop online, remember to stay safe. Look for the lock in the web browser address bar. It means the website you’re on is secure. Watch our ‘Keep your money and your accounts safe’ video for more tips to help you. It’s on the Money Smart web page.

To make it easier to manage your money in your Smart Spending account we’ve set spending limits for you. So you can be sure you don’t overspend.

And if you’ve misplaced your debit card but know it’s not lost or stolen, you can freeze your card on our Mobile Banking app with Card Freezes to stop it being used, online, in shops or in other countries. Once your card is found you can unfreeze it.

Remember, if you think your card is lost or stolen, it’s important to contact us. Then we can cancel it and order you a new one. If you’re under 16, the parent or legal guardian named on your account will need to make the call for you.

Enjoy using your debit card and its features. For more handy tips and help with your Smart Spending and Smart Savings Accounts, watch our other videos on the Money Smart web page.