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AIBU?

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Original poster

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:
pattimayonnaise · 20/10/2017 16:09

YABU. Contact the company and ask them to confirm their bank details.If you can’t trust the company to tell you, then why are you paying them?!
It’s absolutely against the rules to give out bank details for someone else, I work for a bank and we would get in so much trouble. I’m shocked you even asked let alone are annoyed that they wouldn’t do it. You’re right that confirmation of payee is being looked at as a future solution to stop payments going to the wrong place, but due to data protection I would be very surprised if it wasn’t something you had to provide your consent for to be a part of.

Nicknacky · 20/10/2017 16:10

There is nothing wrong with helping their children out, of course most people would do that.

But this is just bizarre. Doesn't sound like the daughter has asked her to do it and op has taken it upon herself!

Original poster
ruthieness · 20/10/2017 16:12

Sorry if I am not making myself clear -

There real question here is does a Bank have a public duty to prevent fraud and mistakes?

or can they just continue to make a lot of money and leave the problem to us?

I do not think it is a fraud in this case,
but I would like to know for sure!
I thought it would be a 5 minute call.

not nearly 30 minutes and no answer!

but it was interesting to find out how helpful they were!

OP posts:
Nicknacky · 20/10/2017 16:14

Why are you going on about fraud? And what problem do you have?

Has your daughter asked you to do this?

AnchorDownDeepBreath · 20/10/2017 16:17

There real question here is does a Bank have a public duty to prevent fraud and mistakes?*

In some senses, yes. But not in this one.

In this case, they need to abide by data protection legislation and that means they cannot confirm or deny your information is correct; nor give you information, about any other account regardless of who it belongs to.

If you want the bank details confirmed; you need to get the company to do it - perhaps in writing if you are worried?

OnionKnight · 20/10/2017 16:17

HSBC will not confirm or deny that the bank details are correct.

Has your daughter asked you to do this? The fact that you are dodging the question and bleating on about fraud says it all.

BritInUS1 · 20/10/2017 16:24

YABU !

Glumglowworm · 20/10/2017 16:24

Your daughter needs to sort this for herself

PP suggestion of a £1 payment first is a good one

The bank are doing nothing wrong and your refusal to accept this isn't going to get them to breach data protection. If you think it's fraud then report it as fraud. If you're just paranoid then don't make the payment. If it's non of your business since it's not even you making the payment then stay out of it!

Original poster
ruthieness · 20/10/2017 16:25

"public interest" overrides data protection!
HSBC own terms and conditions!

OP posts:
RavingRoo · 20/10/2017 16:27

You are beginning to sound unhinged OP. Let your dd handle this

PerfumeIsAMessage · 20/10/2017 16:29

Maybe public interest doesn't involve telling mammy stuff about her (presumably adult daughter's) financial affairs.

Or maybe "public interest" is about bigger fish than whatever she's buying that you think is dodgy. (very intriguing though, what is it?)

LonginesPrime · 20/10/2017 16:42

If you can’t trust the company to tell you, then why are you paying them?!

^ This.

OP, you’re clearly au fait with companies house. You can check the company’s accounts, whether anyone has filed an insolvency petition against it and who the directors are. You can also check what other companies those people are directors of and whether they have a string of insolvent companies to their name.

Make sure you have a valid contract with the company and have their account details confirmed in writing (obviously) and pay by credit card for anything over £100.

And if anything feels off, for heaven’s sake, don’t make the payment!

YellowFlower201 · 20/10/2017 16:44

Ring the company and get them to confirm their bank account details.
The bank of my place of work have started requesting that we call to confirm details rather than accepting email/letter.
Calling the company’s bank is very unreasonable though! You’ve got other simpler options unless you’re not telling us the full story.

Sirzy · 20/10/2017 16:45

But it’s not a public interest matter!

And for another thing can you imagine the chaos if everyone felt the need to phone the bank for details before every transaction!

Original poster
ruthieness · 20/10/2017 16:45

I like to think all mothers want to help their children.
Sometimes love is the answer and sometimes money is the answer
and sometime suspicious careful mad bitch mother from hell is the answer
and yes, as many posters above have said,
sometimes TRUST is the answer
and sometimes all of the above!

but I am only interested in sensible views on public interest and if banks should be helping to deal with fraud and mistakes!

OP posts:
Nicknacky · 20/10/2017 16:47

Oh my good god, OP. What is the problem with the transaction and has she asked you to do this?! Just blooming answer!

Original poster
ruthieness · 20/10/2017 16:49

Longinesprime
exactly!

You can check companies house but you cannot check you are paying the company!

OP posts:
PerfumeIsAMessage · 20/10/2017 16:52

"Sometimes love is the answer and sometimes money is the answer
and sometime suspicious careful mad bitch mother from hell is the answer
and yes, as many posters above have said,
sometimes TRUST is the answer
and sometimes all of the above! "

Okaaaay.

Phosphorus · 20/10/2017 16:55

Jesus Christ.

Surely the company supplied their bank details.

Why would they give the wrong ones!? Confused

YellowFlower201 · 20/10/2017 16:56

You can complain to the bank but it’s not gonna help. Write to your MP and suggest CH change this.

In the meantime call the company like everyone else.

HTH

LonginesPrime · 20/10/2017 17:05

* You can check companies house but you cannot check you are paying the company!*

But don’t the company want to be paid? As PPs have said, why would they give you the wrong details?

Or are you worried you’re dealing with some fraudster pretending to work for the company who’s given their own personal bank details instead?

SandyDenny · 20/10/2017 17:07

OP you are being ridiculous, anyone can check the correct details by paying the small amount and checking it got there.

Can you really not see that banks can't give out information, even a yes or no is giving personal info.

You are sounding a bit deranged.

Original poster
ruthieness · 20/10/2017 17:11

sirzy

"And for another thing can you imagine the chaos if everyone felt the need to phone the bank for details before every transaction!"

yes ! and

Can you imagine how quickly the banks would get this new system sorted if everyone was phoning?

OP posts:
Sirzy · 20/10/2017 17:14

What new system though? the “I have the details but I am pestering you anyway” system?

Original poster
ruthieness · 20/10/2017 17:19

longinesprime

"Or are you worried you’re dealing with some fraudster pretending to work for the company who’s given their own personal bank details instead?"

or it could be a "clone website". lots of those about!

As I said I am not worried in this case because she can afford to lose the money and I thought it would be a 5 minute call.

I could have been calling for myself - I was just amazed at the fact that HSBC had no "system". and wasted my time for half an hour!

must find something better to do on a Friday afternoon!

OP posts:
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