HSBC Random Cheque

[Deleted User]

Just curious. I held a bank account with HSBC up until the age of 19 (13years ago). 

A letter arrives at my mums address for me and I give permission for it to be opened. 

It’s a cheque for £25 and odd pence with no explanation. My mum says she’ll pop it in the post to me. 

Any thoughts? 

[Deleted User]

It's redress for an old non-compliance issue.

[Deleted User]

Oh right okay. 

After posting, I did some digging on google and found others who had received the letter and cheque. Some questioning whether it was genuine. 

nick74

What would anyone have to gain by posting out 'non-genuine' cheques?

[Deleted User]

nick74 said:

What would anyone have to gain by posting out 'non-genuine' cheques?

Some people were reporting that on their letter they had the option to go to a link on the HSBC website and enter details and provide documentation if they couldn’t get the cheque processed. So people were claiming the trick was the cheque would bounce on purpose and that would lead people to declaring personal information and sharing documents. 

Probably just speculation but it’s what was what was been said by others on another forum. 

In the same conversation others said they took their letters into a branch and they confirmed it was genuine. 

Just wasn’t sure as I wasn’t expecting anything. I haven’t seen the letter yet, my mum is sending it to me. 

[Deleted User]

My mum sent the letter/cheque and I googled the number on it and after reading this it has me more concerned. 

https://scam-numbers.co.uk/Number/03455873533/

preables

It’s legit just call the bank and ask yourself 

[Deleted User]

I’m going to go into the local HSBC to check. 

MSE_Helen_K

Hi all, we've looked into this issue and written the following news story on it, which may help answer some of your questions...
HSBC, First Direct, M&S Bank, and John Lewis Finance borrowers who've been in debt over the past 10 years may get up to £100 in compensation after receiving a substandard level of service from the lenders - and it's not a scam, despite some confusion caused by letters arriving out of the blue. 

Read the full story:

'HSBC borrowers in arrears to get up to £100 compensation after substandard service'

Click reply below to discuss. If you haven’t already, join the forum to reply.

Murphybear

I got one of these a few weeks ago and didn’t believe it could be genuine.  I closed my HSBC account about 5 years ago.  Nice to know it’s genuine.  I’m not used to banks giving me money out of the blue.  

sccooter

MSE_Helen_K said:

Hi all, we've looked into this issue and written the following news story on it, which may help answer some of your questions...
HSBC, First Direct, M&S Bank, and John Lewis Finance borrowers who've been in debt over the past 10 years may get up to £100 in compensation after receiving a substandard level of service from the lenders - and it's not a scam, despite some confusion caused by letters arriving out of the blue. 

Read the full story:

'HSBC borrowers in arrears to get up to £100 compensation after substandard service'

Click reply below to discuss. If you haven’t already, join the forum to reply.

Oh well done MSE for helping the scammers with the mass advertising you've now given them. This has been in all the national rags, referencing MSE as their source. Now everyone thinks this is legit. WRONG. I got one of the letters too. Obviously a scam! 1. The supposed "relevant account number" given on the letter is not for a bank account I hold or have ever held. 2. The number top right of the letter 0345 *** **** is a well recognised scammers' number that is easily researched on Google, associated with all kinds of scumbags. 3. The bank know nothing about wanting to give me £100, nor the supposed HSBC letter I received in my name and address, and with the cheque made out to my name.