HSBC Account shutdown post 'review'...

colsten

Use Wise if you have to make payments in GBP. Not a bank, I know, but does almost everything a current account does.

born_again

taztheman said:

@colsten , @IanManc, @born_again
Thank you all for your comments.

Opening a UK bank account whilst overseas is not possible (i don't think, happy to be corrected), as you would need a UK address. I am not a fan of HSBC as a bank, i just need 'a' bank to continue using for services in the UK, i.e. paying UK mobile phone bills, shopping (incl. online) etc. Hence, as much as its painful fighting this matter, it is easier in comparison, to opening a new UK bank account being a non-resident citizen (happy to be corrected on this)
.
I am not sure how credit report ratings work, i kept a very good credit record/score until now. In the current climate of covid and what not, I may survive overseas for 15 years or may be forced to pack up within a year and return to the UK. For the latter scenario, i would prefer to have a functioning/active credit record, which is why i am looking at options to resurrect what i can from this situation. I don't know how (or whether) not having a UK bank account will affect the credit history.

Not reading the notifications can amount to carelessness on my part in normal circumstances but here, there were trying to get hold of me in a time when i was stuck outside my current country of residence with wife and kids trapped in another. These weren't normal times. When i did manage to return to normality, they had decided to close of which i had no knowledge of, until the July payment for my mobile sim provider got declined. Had i known about the closure decision i would have picked this up and the matter would have been resolved. It is just that they relied on a notification alone for relaying the closure seems harsh (to me, naturally).

Well HSBC is one of the few that will... You could try Barclays (Maybe)
I would not worry about credit rating it is a pointless figure dreamed up by the credit ref co's. Only thing that banks look at is your credit history.

Hope you get something sorted.

Thrugelmir

taztheman said:

I am not sure how credit report ratings work, i kept a very good credit record/score until now. In the current climate of covid and what not,

Being a non resident. Your existing history will progressively age and disappear. If you return in the future you'll be faced with a blank page and need to rebuild from scratch. 

BuildTheWall

Many people moving abroad ignorantly change the address for their bank accounts and credit cards, only to find them closed due to banking regulations. Don’t change any addresses. Or change it to a trusted friend or relative’s home in uk. Change your mobile number - this shouldn’t trigger any alarm. 

colsten

BuildTheWall said:

Many people moving abroad ignorantly change the address for their bank accounts and credit cards, only to find them closed due to banking regulations. Don’t change any addresses. Or change it to a trusted friend or relative’s home in uk. Change your mobile number - this shouldn’t trigger any alarm. 

People should be guided by the T&Cs they agreed to, as these define the rules by which the banks operate the accounts.

taztheman

BuildTheWall said:

Many people moving abroad ignorantly change the address for their bank accounts and credit cards, only to find them closed due to banking regulations. Don’t change any addresses. Or change it to a trusted friend or relative’s home in uk. Change your mobile number - this shouldn’t trigger any alarm. 

I just wish i had not changed it.

eDicky

BuildTheWall said:

Many people moving abroad ignorantly change the address for their bank accounts and credit cards, only to find them closed due to banking regulations. Don’t change any addresses. Or change it to a trusted friend or relative’s home in uk. Change your mobile number - this shouldn’t trigger any alarm. 

Change mobile phone number, why..? To an overseas number..?

taztheman

eDicky said:

BuildTheWall said:

Many people moving abroad ignorantly change the address for their bank accounts and credit cards, only to find them closed due to banking regulations. Don’t change any addresses. Or change it to a trusted friend or relative’s home in uk. Change your mobile number - this shouldn’t trigger any alarm. 

Change mobile phone number, why..? To an overseas number..?

I didn't change the mobile number only the address. Clearly a mistake that i regret making.

eDicky

taztheman said:

eDicky said:

BuildTheWall said:

Many people moving abroad ignorantly change the address for their bank accounts and credit cards, only to find them closed due to banking regulations. Don’t change any addresses. Or change it to a trusted friend or relative’s home in uk. Change your mobile number - this shouldn’t trigger any alarm. 

Change mobile phone number, why..? To an overseas number..?

I didn't change the mobile number only the address. Clearly a mistake that i regret making.

Yes, I was just wondering about the reasoning behind the recommendation to do the opposite, retain UK address but change phone number, as if a foreign number while at a UK address 'shouldn't trigger any alarm'.

born_again

BuildTheWall said:

Many people moving abroad ignorantly change the address for their bank accounts and credit cards, only to find them closed due to banking regulations. Don’t change any addresses. Or change it to a trusted friend or relative’s home in uk. Change your mobile number - this shouldn’t trigger any alarm. 

Well if you change your mobile make sure it's to a working one. Or it is a sure fire way to get the account blocked. As that is the quickest way you will be contacted.
Also not updating the address can lead to issues especially if earning money overseas as banks have a duty to report tax status.

As OP's post has proved if they can not contact you, or you do not respond after so long they will freeze account and then close it.