NatWest debit card not working on Apple Pay and Wallet

Banks try to avoid the risk of fraud at every turn. Apple shares data with banks and Payment Network Operators (Visa, Mastercard, American Express etc.). The data they share includes information about the iPhone, phone number, Apple Account, iPhone usage (how many texts you send receive, emails). No personal information is shared, just usage data. Also shared can be location data (which VPNs hide).

Banks feed the information into an algorithm (think artificial intelligence) to determine the risk of fraud. The bank then picks one of four ways to process your request to add the card. Your request is either Green Flow, Yellow Flow, Orange Flow or Red Flow.

Green Flow is automatic approval. Yellow and Orange Flow require additional verification by the bank. Red Flow is automatic denial.

Your bank is Red Flowing your card because information about device and usage etc. match the profiles of fraudsters. You can talk to your bank’s support team and ask why they are Red Flowing your request. Most entry level support team members don’t have access to that information. Sometimes going into a bank branch will help resolve the issue.

Apple doesn’t know why the bank is red flowing your card(s). The information is on your iPhone and encrypted on your iPhone. Apple doesn’t know the contents and doesn’t know exactly what your bank is looking for.

When I learn of these situations I recommend that you make sure you’re logged into your Apple Account, iTunes Accounts, purchase a few items with the card, setup email and texts and use them. Wait 10 days to 2 weeks before trying to add a card again. No one here knows exactly what factors your bank thinks is a potential fraud issue.

Is the card also in Google Wallet? If so, try removing it and then see if you can add it to Apple Wallet.

Well if you're not using a VPN and you followed the process described on the Natwest website and your card was refused then the problem is with your card issuer. Apple has no say in whether the card is accepted or not - they just pass data to your bank. Natwest is your card issuer, not Mastercard, so you need to take it up with them. If they won't help you then there's nothing that users here can do.

Are you using a VPN?

Did you follow the instructions on the Natwest website when you added the card to the wallet?

Have you managed to add the card to your wallet, or is it not working after being added?