We'd like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum. This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are - or become - political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.
We're aware that dates on the Forum are not currently showing correctly. Please bear with us while we get this fixed, and see Site feedback for updates.
Overseas Transfer From HSBC - I Have A Problem...

ian360
Posts: 68 Forumite
Hey guys,
I am in the process of trying to transfer some money from my HSBC account in England to my Banco de Costa Rica account here in Costa Rica... However, it is now eight days and I'm still waiting for my money to show in my Costa Rican account. I simply completed this by asking for the transfer to be made via my Internet service at the HSBC, and have received notification that the transfer has been made.
So I spoke with the HSBC bank in England today and they said that it normally doesn't take more than six days to arrive, so I asked them if they could check the details for me as to where they had sent it, and I was told to call them back again tomorrow. I'm checking the details that I sent them and I gave them a 7 digit number as my account number as I am certain that this is the number that I used to use when I was getting sent money from my boss in Chicago. However, today when I was checking my statements I noticed another number on there that was an 11 digit number that I've never used for transfers before. But then a friend of mine told me that this should be the account number that I should use when making transfers... Oops! Although I must say this is kind of strange as I have never had any problems with overseas transfers from the US before (this is the first time I have tried to transfer any money from the UK), and I have never used this number.
Anyway, I wanted to ask you guys if send money overseas, how long does it normally take for it to arrive? I am in Central America, and I'm not sure if anybody will have any experience of that.
Furthermore, if there has been a mistake with the account number that I've given them and it hits a dead end, how long will it take for my HSBC account to be reimbursed, and will they charge me the £15 transfer fee again to resend it?
I am asking because I have absolutely nothing right now, and really need to buy some essentials such as food and pay the rent.
Thank you in advance...
Ian
I am in the process of trying to transfer some money from my HSBC account in England to my Banco de Costa Rica account here in Costa Rica... However, it is now eight days and I'm still waiting for my money to show in my Costa Rican account. I simply completed this by asking for the transfer to be made via my Internet service at the HSBC, and have received notification that the transfer has been made.
So I spoke with the HSBC bank in England today and they said that it normally doesn't take more than six days to arrive, so I asked them if they could check the details for me as to where they had sent it, and I was told to call them back again tomorrow. I'm checking the details that I sent them and I gave them a 7 digit number as my account number as I am certain that this is the number that I used to use when I was getting sent money from my boss in Chicago. However, today when I was checking my statements I noticed another number on there that was an 11 digit number that I've never used for transfers before. But then a friend of mine told me that this should be the account number that I should use when making transfers... Oops! Although I must say this is kind of strange as I have never had any problems with overseas transfers from the US before (this is the first time I have tried to transfer any money from the UK), and I have never used this number.
Anyway, I wanted to ask you guys if send money overseas, how long does it normally take for it to arrive? I am in Central America, and I'm not sure if anybody will have any experience of that.
Furthermore, if there has been a mistake with the account number that I've given them and it hits a dead end, how long will it take for my HSBC account to be reimbursed, and will they charge me the £15 transfer fee again to resend it?
I am asking because I have absolutely nothing right now, and really need to buy some essentials such as food and pay the rent.
Thank you in advance...
Ian
0
Comments
-
typical banks, payments made to countries outside of the UK use the same type of system that chaps payments go through. The bank gives the value date on the payment (the debit your HSBC account and credit the other account date) and by them adding 6 days they are holding your money for probably at least 4-5 of them. To make the payment to Costa Rica you will need to have used your account number and swift code (your bank can give it to you, you can also find it http://www.swift.com/biconline/)
Ask your bank to do a trace on the funds this can take a couple of days but will show where the funds are. You can also ask if there is an investigation open for the payment this is where the funds didnt reach the end account and your other bank is asking a question. You can also ask for the payment reference number this may help the other bank trace the funds. Hope this helps.0 -
Hi eslick,
Thank you for the information. Yes, when I made the payment the only things they asked for was the name on the account, my account number (which I have since found out is the correct one), and the SWIFT number. As these details are all correct I contacted the HSBC this morning. They told me that they received information on 28th January that they could not find an agent to send the money to Costa Rica...
So obviously I assume that they would put the money back into my bank account. No - of course things are never that simple - silly me!
They told me that they are searching for another agent to be able to send money, and even asked me to go into my bank to ask who their agent to receive money from the UK was - isn't this a job for the bank to do and not me?!?!
They told me that if they can not find an agent the money will be returned to my bank account, but they can not give a date as to when this will happen, and I also would not be returned the £15 transaction fee. What?!?! I didn't pay them £15 only to find that the service they provide does not work.
Hmmm.... So I'm feeling a little bit p***ed off right now, not to mention hungry! Grrrrr.....
Ian0 -
the agent is the correspondent or intermediary bank, its a sort of paying through bank. The main banks all have them but often the smaller ones dont and the only way of finding one is to ask the bank you are paying.
I would keep complaining about the fee you never know they might give you it back0
This discussion has been closed.
Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply

Categories
- All Categories
- 348.3K Banking & Borrowing
- 252.1K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
- 452.4K Spending & Discounts
- 240.9K Work, Benefits & Business
- 617.2K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
- 175.7K Life & Family
- 254.1K Travel & Transport
- 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
- 16K Discuss & Feedback
- 15.1K Coronavirus Support Boards