Accessing ICBC online banking from the abroad using the USB dongle

[JeanMichel]

Strictly speaking this isn't a "Life in China" question, but I have to get this taken care of in China, so I'm posting it here...

 

Anyway, I'm soon moving back to the U.S. after a number of years in China. I want to get a Chinese bank account that I can manage from the U.S. At minimum, I want to be able to move money into my Alipay and Chinese Paypal accounts. My BOC account won't be suitable for this because their security system uses SMS verification, and my Chinese phone number will be of no use in the U.S.

 

I've spoken with ICBC and their system doesn't use SMS codes. I can either use a USB dongle or a little keypad which (from what I understand) is basically a more sophisticated version of BOC's e-token keychain thingy. The keypad is by all accounts a more convenient system, except you have to replace the whole unit when the battery dies, and that can only be done in China. If the battery dies when I'm outside of the country, I'll be effectively frozen out until the next time I go back to China, and I have no idea how often I'll be doing that.

 

The USB system uses no battery, but it does use one of those ActiveX controls that are so depressingly popular in China. For whatever reason, ICBC couldn't tell me whether the USB system would work in the U.S.—they thought there was a possibility the ActiveX control would be unable to communicate with ICBC's security server from outside the country, or something like that. I've spoken to multiple ICBC personnel (in person and over the phone, via their national customer service line) and nobody knew whether this was the case.

 

So after all that background, a simple question: has anyone successfully used ICBC's USB security system from the U.S., or anywhere else outside of China?

[James3]

JeanMichel, not sure what your time frame is, but here's a way you could test this.

 

I used to do remote tech support, and I became familiar with several tools out there which allow you to remote into a computer, and use it....just like you were sitting in front of it. So, theoretically, you could Fedex your USB dongle to someone you trust back in the U.S. Then once they received it, you could work with them to remotely access their pc, or laptop...once they put in the USB dongle. It would enable you to find out conclusively before you moved back, if it would work. Not sure how much you'd have to insure the package for, to protect yourself...but just an idea.

 

The remote access tools I'm familiar with are:

 

teamviewer.com

logmein.com

 

Both Teamviewer and logmein have free versions.

 

...and I'm sure there's more tools out there like that.

 

Or, maybe someone on here can save you the time, and trouble, and confirm that they've used it successfully before!

 

Either way, good luck.

[roddy]

I have the USB one. I got mine in 2010 and have used it a few times since with no trouble (well, if you don't count Internet Explorer as trouble). Being overseas doesn't seem to make any difference at all. I wouldn't want to have a huge amount of money in there though, or to be relying on it for anything important - all it needs is a small change in how ICBC works and you're looking at a significant amount of hassle to regain access. 

 

The keypad thing - can you get them to give you a few of them? I don't know how it works but here in the UK those devices aren't tied to your account, and the banks (well, my bank, the one time I asked) keep some on hand to give to customers who need a replacement. Also, I wouldn't worry about it running out too much - it's a tiny LCD screen that you turn on for a few moments however often you need it. An LCD watch will run for the best part of a decade, non-stop. 

[imron]

I have the USB one also.  Note also that the security certificate installed on the device is only valid for a few years so you'll have to go back and get a new one eventually anyway.

[msittig]

I'm using the USB dongle as well, in the US, for transferring money from ICBC to Alipay.

 

It does require starting up Internet Explorer, grr.

[roddy]

Hmmm, wonder if my device is about to expire then. Haven't used it for a couple of years, now I think about it. 

[imron]

Might be expired already.  I didn't know they would do this either until I tried to make a payment online and found mine had run out.  I then had to wait several months until I was visiting China before I could get it replaced. My current one lasts until 2018.

[JeanMichel]

They didn't mention anything about a security certificate. How long does it last? The battery on the keypad supposedly lasts 3-5 years, so if the USB dongle doesn't last any longer, I may as well go with the keypad.

[imron]

Going from experience, about 5 years.