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AIBU?

HSBC - not being helpful!

124 replies

ruthieness · 20/10/2017 15:00

Am I being unreasonable to ask HSBC to confirm over the phone that the exact HSBC bank details I have already been given for a limited company actually correspond to that companies HSBC bank account before my daughter makes a large payment?

The first line customer service person said it was not "allowed"
and refused to call supervisor

I insisted on speaking to the supervisor.

Back on hold

Supervisor comes and speaks to customer service person and again he refuses to help.

I say "If it is a fraud don't they want to help me?"

He say's "if it is a fraud that is up to me to check!"

I ask to be put through to fraud department - although I do not think it is a fraud!

Put on hold again for over 10 more minutes!

total call 28 minutes - line was cut off -
not sure them or me!
No call back!

Shall I complain?

OP posts:
Awwlookatmybabyspider · 20/10/2017 15:22

I would. That's disgusting service.
I'd change banks as well.
I'm with NatWest, extremely helpful.

Glumglowworm · 20/10/2017 15:23

You were surprised that a bank won't confirm details for another customer (even if that customer is a company)??? Really? Hmm

Your daughter needs to check with the company shes paying herself. If she's suspicious then she can contact them in a different way e.g. Number from statement/online

deepestdarkestperu · 20/10/2017 15:28

Of course they can’t confirm someone else’s bank details over the phone!

ruthieness · 20/10/2017 15:29

I do not have a bank account with hsbc to close.

the company is their customer -
and I am asking the bank to confirm these details

I do not want to be "difficult" with the company!

nb the main UK banks are (slowly) working out a way to provide this information online prior to the payer hitting the "pay" button,

for all payments so you know who you are paying!!

OP posts:
ruthieness · 20/10/2017 15:30

it is not "someone" - it is a "limited liability company"!

OP posts:
Nicknacky · 20/10/2017 15:31

Is it a reputable company that your daughter is paying? I'm not surprised they didn't disclose anything to you, at the very least you aren't even the person who is trying to make the payment, your daughter is.

Musereader · 20/10/2017 15:32

No bank would confirm a customers bank details with you under any circumstances, it is upto the business to give out correct bank details

Tinty · 20/10/2017 15:33

Hello ruthieness what I always do if I have to make a large (or any) payment to a company is go to my online banking and set up the payment with the sort code and account number, then I send £1. Then I ring the company the payment is going to and generally they say; we expected your payment of £20,000 but we got £1.

So then you know you have the correct details then you can go back online and you will have the details already set up and you can then send the correct amount of money. I hope this helps.

ruthieness · 20/10/2017 15:34

Perhaps the government should ask Companies to provide bank account details through the online portal at Companies House

To reduce "clone fraud"

NB Bank details are on every debit card and cheque and
usually on every invoice

hardly top secret!

OP posts:
Sirzy · 20/10/2017 15:36

I wouldn’t expect a bank to give anyone else’s details workout permission - company or not!

It is up to your daughter to ensure the people she is dealing with are legit.

PerfumeIsAMessage · 20/10/2017 15:36

Can't your daughter sort this out for herself?
But, as others have said, I would be extremely cross (understatement) if the HSBC were giving out my details to A Mother Calling On Behalf Of Her Daughter at whim.
If your daughter thinks there is something fishy about it, maybe she shouldn't be doing business with whoever it is. Hmm

ruthieness · 20/10/2017 15:37

it is not a well known company so no - that is an idea but would not work here.

I accept that sometimes you have to take a risk but we all want to protect our children.

OP posts:
Sirzy · 20/10/2017 15:38

Perfumes I thought exactly the same

Nicknacky · 20/10/2017 15:43

If she is unsure if she has the correct details then why doesn't she contact the company she is trying to pay and confirm she has the correct information?

FlyingFordAnglia · 20/10/2017 15:46

They're not allowed to confirm bank details. They wouldn't even be able to confirm the account name if you gave them the bank details. Any bank transfer is made at your own risk. It is down to you as a customer to be sure the bank details are correct and the company legitimate.

RavingRoo · 20/10/2017 15:48

Tell your dd to go to a hsbc branch and request the payment be made for her by staff: if internal customer they will do all the checks themselves.

ruthieness · 20/10/2017 15:50

and yes I am not asking them to "give" out details
merely confirm the details we have been given are correct!

the banks have agreed that they need to do this
they have said they are going to do it online next year for ALL payments.

but they have not "worked" out how!

Anyway I really appreciate the different points of view -

I do think this is very important in an online world where a person with a laptop a mobile and a bank account can pretend to be anyone!

At least let us be able to check the bank details (((((HSBC?))))))

It used to be that if you had a company or persons bank details you could ask the bank to confirm if they were creditworthy

eg the bank replied "good for £10/£100£1000/£10,000" or
"Cant speak for your figures" (bad risk)

Now this service is provided by credit checking companies
(Experian and others) for individuals
but the bank will not confirm if a limited company has even given you the correct account number.

OP posts:
Nicknacky · 20/10/2017 15:52

But they would be giving out information, just be as you already have information to hand doesn't change that.

As I already said, why not just check with the company that you have the correct infor? I think you are making a bit of a song and dance about transactions that are done millions of times a day.

Seniorcitizen1 · 20/10/2017 15:53

Sorry but I think you are being a bit dim. If my bank gave out my business’ bank details to some random person who calls them I would close my account immediately.

ruthieness · 20/10/2017 15:53

She is at work today and I do not want to worry her!

and YES I am paranoid

but this is a point of principle isn't it?

how to be safe in an online world?

OP posts:
PerfumeIsAMessage · 20/10/2017 15:54

Does she even know you're doing this? Shock

Nicknacky · 20/10/2017 15:55

Is your daughter as concerned or just you?

why not just contact the company?!

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Travis1 · 20/10/2017 16:04

YABU you are asking them to breach data protection. Whether the company gave you the details willingly or not the bank could still get a fuck off fine if they confirm anything to you. Does your daughter even know you are interfering? I'd be mortified if you were my mum!

MrTrebus · 20/10/2017 16:08

It's data protection it's the LAW they are not just trying to annoy you. Just phone the company and ask them for their sort code and account number. Problem solved Hmm

ajandjjmum · 20/10/2017 16:08

OP - you'll always be squealed at on here for doing stuff to help your kids when they're over 18 Grin.

I've done a lot of chasing up HSBC for DD recently re. a mortgage (she couldn't afford an hour out of work every day to hang on phone calls) - I helped her willingly.

I think Tinty's idea is brilliant!

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