SARs request under GDPR

Legacy_user

Hi all,

Looking for a little assistance. In December last year HSBC closed my Advanced account; this was due to (or so I'm told) multiple complaints I had with them over the last year or two, most of these went to the FoS as I was not happy with the outcome of HSBC's investigations and replies.

In my view the complaints were valid and in 90% of the cases the FoS agreed, HSBC's decision to close my account has been a blessing in disguise, I've not once had an issue with my current provider.

I want to know what information HSBC still holds on me and if it is even needed, with the new GDPR regulations coming in today I have decided I want to do a SARs request but I'm not sure where to start. I've searched HSBC's website and found nothing other than they will charge £10 for the right to do so (someone needs to update that!).

Does anyone have a template for a SARs request under GDPR or where I can send my request?

Many Thanks

L

Op89

I previously wrote a freeform letter explaining that I wanted a SAR and my details (name, address, d.o.b, account numbers etc) and that seemed to be sufficient.

agrinnall

In the Data Protection training I received in preparation for GDPR I was told that any request for personal data should be treated as a SAR even if the term is not used, and that it doesn't even have to be in writing, a verbal request is sufficient.

eskbanker

There's a SAR template among other info at https://ico.org.uk/your-data-matters/your-right-of-access/

HSBC have a GDPR page at https://www.hsbc.co.uk/1/2/privacy-notice, which links to their full policy at https://www.hsbc.co.uk/1/PA_esf-ca-app-content/content/pws/content/personal/pdfs/your-information.pdf, which in turn states:

If you’d like further information on anything we’ve said in this Privacy Notice, or to contact our Data Protection Officer, contact us at P.O. Box 6201, Coventry CV3 9HW addressed ‘for the attention of the DPO’.

[Deleted User]

Is there still a charge?

eskbanker

redditrabbit wrote: »

Is there still a charge?

There shouldn't usually be, as per the ICO link I posted above, but that's not to say that all companies will be fully compliant with this from day one! However, it would be a surprise if a large institution like HSBC weren't already prepared to respond FOC....

Can the organisation charge a fee for this?
A copy of your personal data should be provided free. An organisation may charge for additional copies. It can only charge a fee if it thinks the request is ‘manifestly unfounded or excessive’. If so, it may ask for a reasonable fee for administrative costs associated with the request.

System

I looked on ICO's site, I wasn't sure if I had to be more in depth. Personally I want everything HSBC has on me, I'm slightly aggrieved that the account was closed for such a 'small' reason, my understanding is this will now have an impact on me talking further products out with them,

Currently looking at mortgages and HSBC seems the place to go.

eskbanker

Loobiec wrote: »

I looked on ICO's site, I wasn't sure if I had to be more in depth. Personally I want everything HSBC has on me, I'm slightly aggrieved that the account was closed for such a 'small' reason, my understanding is this will now have an impact on me talking further products out with them,

Currently looking at mortgages and HSBC seems the place to go.

Why on earth would you want to continue to do business with a company you've repeatedly complained to?

Unless you're exaggerating, your statement that FOS agreed with 90% of your complaints means that you must have referred at least ten to them (plus the others that you didn't escalate to FOS), so it baffles me why a company that had let you down so frequently would be one you'd still wish to give your custom to.

It's your legal right to do the SAR obviously but personally I'd move on and stick with their competitors....

System

The reason is because they are currently offering the best mortgage rate for my girlfriend and I, otherwise I would not even consider them.

Over the last 2 years yes, there have been at least 10 complaints in relation to HSBC, 4 alone surrounding a similar issue regarding their lack of responsibility in resolving and rectifying them sending 6 cards to an incorrect address.

Whilst sometimes in life it's better to move on, not paying a fair chunk more makes sense at this current time.

eskbanker

Still baffled to be honest - even if the SAR process unearthed something that you believe hadn't been taken into account already, they aren't obliged in any way to revisit their decision to close your Advance account and even if they did, I'd say there's realistically zero chance of them then accepting a mortgage application from you!

Take the hint - they don't want you as a customer (especially as a vocally unhappy serial complainant) and there's nothing you can do to force them to....

System

eskbanker wrote: »

Still baffled to be honest - even if the SAR process unearthed something that you believe hadn't been taken into account already, they aren't obliged in any way to revisit their decision to close your Advance account and even if they did, I'd say there's realistically zero chance of them then accepting a mortgage application from you!

Take the hint - they don't want you as a customer (especially as a vocally unhappy serial complainant) and there's nothing you can do to force them to....

1) The reason they wouldn't accept it? Let me hear your god given knowledge. HSBC have the right to do business with whomever they see fit (rightly so) if they had closed my account due misuse, fraud or criminal activity I could understand future accounts being rejected but for multiple (VALID I might add) complaints is somewhat excessive.

2) Yes, let's not complain to banks when they've done something wrong, try to hide it and blame it on others.

3) I'm not trying to force them do anything, never stated that I have or am. Simply that they are offering the best option for us at this moment and we are considering it, if your still baffled you have more money than sense.

4) I asked for help regarding a SAR, not your opinion on what or who I should or should not be doing business. I find it odd they would close an account down for that reason, if there is a way I might be able to find out more information regarding that then I will. I don't want to start going down a route where we might get rejected because of a current account being closed.

I appreciate your help regarding the SAR but giving your opinion on things you will only get a snippet of information is somewhat frustrating.

Anyway, thanks for your help.