HSBC Random Cheque

robatwork

This thread is very light on facts and high on rhetoric. It seems obvious that the phone number IS from HSBC, but as numbers can be spoofed, any calls from that number may or may not be genuine. So not much luck there.

Sccooter's assertion 3, that the bank know nothing about it, doesn't prove much as it wouldn't be the first time one bit of HSBC don't know what the other bit are doing - it happened to me with Midland Bank in the 80s.

So anyone care to put their money where their screen is - scan in the cheque and letter - and post here (suitably redacted)?

sccooter

robatwork said:

This thread is very light on facts and high on rhetoric. It seems obvious that the phone number IS from HSBC, but as 

A total of ZERO Google search hit results for "03455873533" trace that number back to HSBC, and all three pages of search hits are scam reports or direct sales scum bags of some kind.

AFC_King

I know someone who had one of these and they and I are both convinced its a scam based on the fact the cheque carries the address of a random HSBC branch rather than their head office and the fact it says "pay <name> only" on it. Plus I don't think many cheques have QR codes on them. Plus the number on it is coming up reported as a scam too.

Elmer_BeFuddled

Don't phone the number. Put your cheque in the bank, if it's genuine it'll clear. If it bounces burn it and the letter! 

jonesMUFCforever

AFC_King said:

I know someone who had one of these and they and I are both convinced its a scam based on the fact the cheque carries the address of a random HSBC branch rather than their head office and the fact it says "pay <name> only" on it. Plus I don't think many cheques have QR codes on them. Plus the number on it is coming up reported as a scam too.

IMO you are both wrong.
QR codes are on some cheques as they are quicker to process than putting through a machine to read the numbers on the bottom of a cheque.
If your friend does not want the cheque just bin it and get on with your life.

[Deleted User]

It turned out it was genuine by the way. I went into the local HSBC and they confirmed they had the letter on their system. They give me a copy too so I could be sure. Cheque was deposited into my NatWest account and cleared. 

WrenBoy

I received two cheques from HSBC - one for each account I hold. The amounts were £110 and £290.

They have not been banked yet because, although they seem real, I am suspicious of the motive. Any overcharging in previous years has been dealt with by the bank making a credit into the account, not sending a cheque.

Is banking the cheque implied acceptance of a contract? Which at the moment is hidden? Are they pre-empting legislation for past misdeeds? Similar to PPI? But banking the cheque means you've settled the matter?

I've had these accounts for twenty five years and don't remember either of them being in "Collections and/or Recoveries" - the term used in the letters.

One of the FAQs included with the cheque is:

If I'm not happy with the payment that you've sent me because I think I have incurred additional out of pocket expenses or if I want to make a complaint, what do I need to do?

But without context of the reason for this refund - how would you know?

So, I'm highly suspicious, but for different reasons. Any thoughts?

Jimmershibby

In the last 4 weeks I have received two such cheques from HSBC, the first for £50.00 just sat on my desk with a thought I may get round to checking if its a scam at some point, however yesterday  I received one for in excess of £1500 which certainly peaked my interest

I started due diligence last night and on balance felt given the information on Google in regard to the telephone number that is was probably a scam though when called it was what was porported to be an out of hours message from HSBC so the jury would seem to be out there however you may draw your own conclusions as the facts evolve.

I checked the account number and sort code of the Southampton branch named on the cheque which proved to be correct using the iban online checker

This morning I obtained the fraud department of HSBC, a number freely available on the internet to report what I still thought must be a fraud, however once going through some simple questions with the HSBC representative pertaining to my name, telephone number and address from when I was banking with them, even though I have not held an account with HSBC since 2008 this person was able to read word for word what my letters said, the amounts involved, the dates correspondence was sent and the reference numbers on each letter assuring me there were legitimate and both are now banked.

I conclude the most important part of this post is that rather than rely on online information phone the fraud department of the bank and ask them directly to gain the most accurate information

Barny1979

Cool story Bro

peteuk

sccooter said:

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.

 Not a dig at Sccooter but on the back of this some fraud awareness general advice. 
1.  If you receive a letter, text or email asking you to use a website to log into an account.  Do not use the link provided but use a trusted link or google seach for the web page (Eg Amazon.  google Amazon and use the first link or use the web page stored in your favorites. 
2. If there is a phone number to ring, go to a trusted web link (as above) obtain their customer service number and check with them if the email/letter/text is legit. 
3. If it looks too good to be true then it probably is, if you've got a spidy sense go with it.  Better to be safe than sorry.