Secure key - HSBC

Bloomberg

When the secure key was first introduced a lot of people were complaining about it, they were unhappy about needing the device to even look at their accounts. I thought that people were being unreasonable, personally I liked the extra security. I looked on line to enquire which bank has the most secure website, apparently Nationwide and Barclays are rated above HSBC. Prior to this finding I thought that the redeeming feature was unrivalled security.




Now I find the secure key so bl**dy annoying. Right now I am way from home and don't have the device and therefore cannot access my account. How frustrating, someone in the branch told me that numerous customers had closed their account because of the secure key. I must admit I may soon do the same. It would be interesting to know if anyone has left HSBC because of the secure key and if so which bank did they join?

MarkLS12

Yes it is annoying, there is a HSBC iPhone App which only lets you see your balance and the last few transactions.
It doesn't require the secure key, just a 7 digit password.
They also do it if Android and Blackberry
http://www.hsbc.co.uk/1/2/ways-to-bank/mobile

shop-to-drop

How about put your secure key on your key fob then there is no reason to be without it?

Bloomberg

shop-to-drop wrote: »

How about put your secure key on your key fob then there is no reason to be without it?

I did that once and it cracked in my pocket. I may however have to do that again as I cannot afford to be without account access.

Bloomberg

MarkLS12 wrote: »

Yes it is annoying, there is a HSBC iPhone App which only lets you see your balance and the last few transactions.
It doesn't require the secure key, just a 7 digit password.
They also do it if Android and Blackberry
http://www.hsbc.co.uk/1/2/ways-to-bank/mobile

The fast balance app is very poor, it only shows accounts which you have a card for. The information is also very limited - the last six transactions. In the app department HSBC have fallen way behind. What a shame as the general service is excellent.

Abbafan1972

I have a HSBC account and have the secure key device. I keep mine in my purse, so I always know where it is and will have it with me when away from home.

I also use the Android app, which is handy if you just want to check your balance and the last few transactions, it's called "HSBC Fast Balance".

dalesrider

Bloomberg wrote: »

I did that once and it cracked in my pocket. I may however have to do that again as I cannot afford to be without account access.

Mine lives in my wallet.
It spends most of the day being sat on. Then gets bounced & viberated around on the bike ride home.
1st one lasted over 3 years. In fact it still works, just part of the screen in hard to read.
So I pre-empted its demise and ordered a new one.

Do not forget you can still use phone banking for anything urgent.

Osarkon

I left HSBC due to the secure key - shocking customer service helped as well.

Moved to lloyds who've been excellent, although I've recently moved my main account from them to first direct for the joining incentive.

Lith

Secure Key is nasty.... mine has just 'DIED' even tho it states on website it lasts for 3/5 years?

now i cannot access my HSBC bank online (because im abroad) - i have to always phone up now... which costs a lot of money.......

zerog

I have stopped using HSBC for normal banking, and since their savings rates are also crap, I don't use them for savings either.

henm2

Lith wrote: »

Secure Key is nasty.... mine has just 'DIED' even tho it states on website it lasts for 3/5 years?

now i cannot access my HSBC bank online (because im abroad) - i have to always phone up now... which costs a lot of money.......

One way of cutting phone costs is do your calls using Skype dialling HSBC on 0044 1226 26101. Also when you ring up ask them to send you a new secure key out to your overseas address.