HSBC closed my account?

olly300

ro888 wrote: »

I am still an undergraduate at full time study. No get job at the moment. All the money in my account is for my tutition fee and living expenses.

Follow HSBC's complaints procedure in writing. (It's a PO Box so when you post your letter go to the Post office and ask for a certificate of posting which is free.)
http://www.hsbconlinecard.co.uk/html/help_bw5.html

If you have a common name they could have mixed you up with someone else but calling them or talking to your branch is likely to be like pulling teeth as it will be a case of "Computer Says Nooo"

I would also start looking at opening an account elsewhere. Ask your friends for recommendations of a decent student bank.

gt94sss2

olly300 wrote: »

Follow HSBC's complaints procedure in writing. (It's a PO Box so when you post your letter go to the Post office and ask for a certificate of posting which is free.)
http://www.hsbconlinecard.co.uk/html/help_bw5.html

The above link is for complaints re: HSBC credit cards.

ro888 would be better off using the HSBC complaints procedure here

I wonder if ro888 has been caught in the review of accounts that is mentioned here - but its certainly worth complaining to find out why they have closed your account..

Regards
Sunil

ro888

gt94sss2 wrote: »

The above link is for complaints re: HSBC credit cards.

ro888 would be better off using the HSBC complaints procedure here

I wonder if ro888 has been caught in the review of accounts that is mentioned here - but its certainly worth complaining to find out why they have closed your account..

Regards
Sunil

In the review, it says it's the bank right"Under the UK banking code, banks have the right to close customers' accounts just as long as they give 30 days notice in writing." But in my case was 14 days(it wasn't fully 14 days since I received the letter).

ShelfStacker_3

That sounds like they suspect money laundering (not saying for definite, as I honestly don't know the official line of action to take in that situation, but others have posted similar letters and similar reasons have emerged), in which case I imagine the Banking Code might not apply.

ro888

Money laundering? How come they can suspect a normal student for that?

new2civvystreet

I seem to remember soneone recently suffereing a similar problem with a bank. Can't remember if it was HSBC or Barclays. They had been moving large amounts of their own legitimate money around their accounts for legitimate reasons but the bank decided to give them notice to close their account. The person then wrote to the bank detailing exactly why this money was used and where it came from and the bank agreed to keep it open.

If HSBC does suspect you of money laundering they can't tell you - so you won't get any info from them. If you can tell us (as much as you're prepared to) the way in which you operate your account and roughly how much money you transfer in/where it comes from; we might be able to give you some indication.

sutton111

or crossfiring ive heard people mention that (unsure what it means) but ive read people say that.

sutton111

new2civvystreet wrote: »

I seem to remember soneone recently suffereing a similar problem with a bank. Can't remember if it was HSBC or Barclays. They had been moving large amounts of their own legitimate money around their accounts for legitimate reasons but the bank decided to give them notice to close their account. The person then wrote to the bank detailing exactly why this money was used and where it came from and the bank agreed to keep it open.

If HSBC does suspect you of money laundering they can't tell you - so you won't get any info from them. If you can tell us (as much as you're prepared to) the way in which you operate your account and roughly how much money you transfer in/where it comes from; we might be able to give you some indication.

yea i read that post it was HSBC.

xplora

ro888 wrote: »

Money laundering? How come they can suspect a normal student for that?

I have a similar problem as yours BUT they suspended my account. Those staff in the branch are not trained to deal with these, it took me 4 times.

The Internet Banking told me it was the cheque problem and it will be unblocked after 4 days.
After 4 days:
1) Went to branch and being told that account is not blocked (twice)
2) Called up Phone Banking and being told my account is blocked because of 9,000 pounds cheque - International Travelers Cheque (ROFL?)
3) Went to Coventry Main Branch and unblock it
4) The officer forgotten to unblock all my account and i have to go there again.

Accounts totally blocked for 2 weeks.

I'm not happy with them, they give me problem when I need money. Thank god, I still could use my Halifax card. I suggest you to open another account if you manage to re-activate this account back, dont keep relying on 1 bank especially HSBC.

new2civvystreet

ro888 wrote: »

Money laundering? How come they can suspect a normal student for that?

Money laundering is (in it's most simplest way) concealing the origin of money obtained from criminal means. A student might be doing a small business in stolen mobile phones; for example. If the money is coming into your account from lots of different bank accounts instead of the student loans company/your parents bank account or an employer that will immedietely look dodgy. Or you might be bringing in large amounts of cash and depositing it in at regular intervals with no other money (like a student loan) coming in.