08007838422 Scam or Genuine HSBC?

Paul_Herring

The problem is, none of them, currently, have a viable way of informing their customers of potential problems on their accounts in a timely manner that won't be seen as potential phishing behaviour.

Any valid SMS, email or voice mail communication is bound to be seen by someone wise to phishing as suspicious, and if it gets widespread use (who am I kidding, it already is,) then those who don't get suspicious will fall foul of the phishers.

livinginscotland

dragonv480 wrote: »

I had this number call a few times recently, never leaves a message. I called it back today and a recorded message said it was HSBC, but that no action was needed and I didn't need to call back.

When it then called again, I answered and as per this thread, they asked for my DOB, which I wouldn't give for obvious reasons. So he tried to "barter" with me, telling me to give him just 2 parts of it, and he will confirm the rest. Again, I refused and at which point he got very angry, raised his voice and told me he wasn't going to argue with me, that it was a very important call and I should go to my branch. I said OK then, and he just said "fine." and put the phone down.

I immediately called HSBC to complain, and the guy there called around several departments before coming back to me saying that no notes are on my account, that noone has called me and that it might be fraudulent. He then advised me to change my security number, to which I said I would do this in-branch. he then offered to lock my phone and internet banking as a precaution, which I agreed to.

the guy also said that if HSBC do call like this, they always leave a message saying that HSBC tried to call and you should call the normal number. Which, in the past has happened to me.

So, is this fraudulent? Is it HSBC? No idea, but I had him put a note on my account saying I had called and that he had confirmed that NOONE from HSBC was trying to call me.

I will go to my branch tomorrow to take this further. Be careful out there.

I have had exactly the same trouble the last 2 days and found this forum by googling 08007838422.

The first time, a woman with an Indian accent said she was calling from HSBC. I said I was at work and unable to talk, she persisted and asked to confirm my details. When I challenged this, she just hung up! This set alarm bells ringing. So I tried calling the 0800 and I got a message saying "you were contacted by HSBC, no further action is required" and I called HSBC to query it. They had no record of the number and no record of anyone trying to call me. There was nothing anywhere on my account to say they needed to speak to me.

Second call, a gentleman with a American sounding accent called. He did the same, when I said I was unhappy about giving out personal details over the phone he said it was very urgent and he needed to inform me of something regarding my account immediately. I stated I would be happy to call a number on the HSBC website or even go into my branch on lunch if it was urgent but he kept on persisting. He gave me his name and a 'staff number' but as i further queried the call he became rude and aggressive at which point I terminated the call. Again, called HSBC to report it. They had no record of this guys 'staff number' and still no need to contact me, they advised I kept an eye on my account.

Now, I have been called by HSBC before, back in the days when I was a poor student. Each time I stated that I would prefer not to reveal personal details over the phone, the reply was that they understood, but they did need to discuss my account so could I please pop into my branch.

I've never had any touble like this before so I'm really worried.

Paul_Herring

livinginscotland wrote: »

Second call, a gentleman with a American sounding accent called. He did the same, when I said I was unhappy about giving out personal details over the phone he said it was very urgent and he needed to inform me of something regarding my account immediately. I stated I would be happy to call a number on the HSBC website or even go into my branch on lunch if it was urgent but he kept on persisting.

Simple solution (I think):

Target: You rang me. Prove to me you work for <bank>
?bank?: I can't
T: Give me the (nth) and (mth) digit of my card number/security number/password...
?: X, Y/no I can't
T: Give me the... (of another option from above)
?: Z, R/no I can't
T: What's your bra size?
?: !!
T: Give me the date of the next full moon/give me a *reference number* which I can use to find out why the !!!! you're phoning me that I can use on a subsequent phone number/communication I know is <bank>?

The first few questions are optional, but fun Feel free to add to them.

Fizzypop_3

My daughter has been receiving calls from this number several times a day. She then chose to ring HSBC and they said that it was NOT one of their numbers and that they never ask for any account information when they call. They will ask for part of the post code and part of date of birth, because they already have the information in front of them. He told her to NEVER give any personal details to someone who rings her.

rmcooke

I very much doubt the authenticity of this number. I have been getting calls from it several times a day on a number that I have never given out and I have no account with HSBC. It is phishing for sure.

ShelfStacker_3

FWIW, I have received calls in the past from an 0800 number, and it was genuine HSBC. I refused to give them any info, and I'm staff for christ's sake... personally, I'd just politely say that you're not giving out account information unprompted, say goodbye and call them on their main number (08457 404404) to ask about it. If it's HSBC, you get some vital info; if it's not, you can help them track down some phishers.

Paul_Herring

ShelfStacker wrote:

0845....

That costs me money on my mobile. Don't you have an 02 or 01 or anything other than a 08 number to advertise? (Replies mentioning saynoto0870 will probably go ignored - that's not my point.)

ellegreen

I have been reciving calls from this number to my mobile in work and being unable to answer them....AS I'M WORKING! ....i buttoned them. I wondered if it could be from my bank so i checked my balance and oooopsy i gone overdrawn so I've now transfered money over from my savings.
Then today...I get another call which I was able to answer, it went like this

Me: Hello
Bank: Hello haha
.........................
Disconected
.........................

!!!!!!!!!!:mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:

I have called the bank and no recollection of the call.....funny that :rotfl:

nzseries1

ellegreen wrote: »

Me: Hello
Bank: Hello haha
.........................
Disconected
.........................

Now that's bizarre! It wasn't George Agdgdgwngo who called you, was it?

If HSBC started calling me 3 times a day for any reason at all even if I had done something wrong I'd be changing banks so fast it would make their heads spin.

clairet707

Paul_Herring wrote: »

That costs me money on my mobile. Don't you have an 02 or 01 or anything other than a 08 number to advertise? (Replies mentioning saynoto0870 will probably go ignored - that's not my point.)

I use the number on the back of my bank card 01226261010 and have never had any problems using it..