HSBC refusing access to online banking?

alisaver

I wonder if anybody has heard of this happening?

My hubby banks with HSBC and has done for many years. In June 2009 he was made redundant and he called HSBC to explain he would not have a salary coming in whilst he looked for work – they would do nothing to help him, they wouldn’t reduce or delay his loan repayments, extend his overdraft or do anything to help him survive. They then started to charge him when inevitably he went over his overdraft.
With my help and a lot of hard work he is now slowly climbing out of the financial hole and is managing his money really well. A few weeks ago HSBC’s online banking system went down and now, after a month of phoning in for daily checks on his account and lots of chasing, they have finally got back to him to say he cannot have online banking access until they deem his account to be back in order. So they have taken away probably the biggest tool available in managing his money!

HSBC has been a nightmare throughout the period of redundancy and beyond. Has anybody else had similar issues with them?

ajharris

alisaver wrote: »

I wonder if anybody has heard of this happening?

My hubby banks with HSBC and has done for many years. In June 2009 he was made redundant and he called HSBC to explain he would not have a salary coming in whilst he looked for work – they would do nothing to help him, they wouldn’t reduce or delay his loan repayments, extend his overdraft or do anything to help him survive. They then started to charge him when inevitably he went over his overdraft.
With my help and a lot of hard work he is now slowly climbing out of the financial hole and is managing his money really well. A few weeks ago HSBC’s online banking system went down and now, after a month of phoning in for daily checks on his account and lots of chasing, they have finally got back to him to say he cannot have online banking access until they deem his account to be back in order. So they have taken away probably the biggest tool available in managing his money!

HSBC has been a nightmare throughout the period of redundancy and beyond. Has anybody else had similar issues with them?

I have never heard of a case where online banking has been revoked on the basis of the status of an acount. My advice to you would be to go to your local branch during a busy time, banks never like a showdown but even more so at busy times. They may well give you what you want just so that they can serve the next person.

If the person you deal wih says that he/she cannot help you then ask to speak to someone else and be persistent. Do not be afraid to raise your voice slightly.

Explain your case and take it from there. I have only ever had positive experiences with HSBC. Good luck

choc_mouse

Agree with aj. There's no advantage to either your husband or HSBC by blocking the online banking access only.

Perhaps HSBC have blocked the account entirely until debts are repaid, rather than disabling online banking itself?

alisaver

Thanks both! Sorry for the delay in replying.
The account is not blocked in any way, he is still getting his salary paid in and bills are getting paid, but he has to call in every day to check balance and transactions etc.
Unfortunately he won't go into a branch and confront anyone, he couldn't do that, he'd be mortified! (I'd have no problem doing it though!)
HSBC have been nothing but a nightmare since hubby was made redundant and have done nothing at all to make the experience any easier despite constant contact from hubby.
Thanks again for the advice!

Ali
x

ajharris

alisaver wrote: »

Thanks both! Sorry for the delay in replying.
The account is not blocked in any way, he is still getting his salary paid in and bills are getting paid, but he has to call in every day to check balance and transactions etc.
Unfortunately he won't go into a branch and confront anyone, he couldn't do that, he'd be mortified! (I'd have no problem doing it though!)
HSBC have been nothing but a nightmare since hubby was made redundant and have done nothing at all to make the experience any easier despite constant contact from hubby.
Thanks again for the advice!

Ali
x

I hope that everything gets resolved favourably. Hopefully your husband did not get the impression that I meant that he should go on the warpath and cause a big scene. The fact that he goes into the branch puts them slightly on the back foot. They have no right to take away his on line access and off hand I am unsure if they are even acting within their own rules by doing this.

What I would suggest is that you go in together, prior to the visit you should plan what you are going to say. Persisitance rather than aggression will get you what you want. If the first person does not give you what you want then ask to see someone more senior and then go through the ranks. Going during a busy time is key.

Sad to say all banks turn nasty when the money supplt dries up. All the best.