HSBC cancelled all my direct debits and card!!

snow1970

I am so upset!! I got paid yesterday, went to use a cash machine which retained my debit card. I called HSBC to find out what to do and they advised me that they had cancelled my debit cards and had sent me a letter to explain what I was to do next. This was due to having some direct debits returned. I checked my internet account today to find that they had also cancelled all my direct debits as well.

It is so annoying because although they are not paying out for any of my bills they happily took out £150 in charges!!

I have tried calling the bank and they tell me they can't talk about it and I have to wait until I get this "mysterious" letter which has yet to arrive. In the meantime my wages are being held hostage and I can't even pay any bills even though I actually have money to due so. One of the payments that was effected was a special arrangement with my mortgage to keep from losing my house.

Any advice? Can they actually do this? Thanks in advance...

full-time-mum

I can't offer any expert advice but this is what my gut feeling is.

If you haven't already done so, I think it would be sensible to ring the mortgage company and tell them that your bank have cancelled your DDs but have yet to explain what is going on, that your wages have been paid but you don't have any way to access them and that you are trying to sort it out but the bank are being obstructive and it is going to take a few days.

I think it is outrageous that they won't talk to you although I know they have to be cautious about talking over the phone. Have you been in in person?

If it was me, I would probably go in and refuse to leave until they told me what was going on.

If you do go in, try to stay calm and don't start shouting - however much you might be tempted - calm and quiet is far more powerful than loud and aggressive. Just quietly stand your ground and demand an explanation. Don't give themn cause to throw you out. If they don't answer your question, just keep repeating using your soft voice.

Hang in there, someone more knowledgable is bound to be along soon.

brightonman123

dont thrry have branch managers anmore? sounds like somneone may have hacked your a/c..

dunstonh

Can they actually do this?

Yes they can. Back in my banking days I did it a few times to individuals. Typically you did it when the account holder was frequently getting items bounced and was making no attempt to contact the bank to discuss their financial problems or was ignoring requests from the bank to bring the account under control.

It is not something that you did unless it had got to the stage where you saw little hope of recovery and the account holder was showing no sign of trying to improve the situation.

It is so annoying because although they are not paying out for any of my bills they happily took out £150 in charges!!

The cancellation of the direct debits means that they will no longer charge you for returning these. They will be bounced as mandate cancelled and not refer to debtor and you dont get charged that way.

In the meantime my wages are being held hostage

No they are not. You can still make withdrawals via the counter. However, if you are still over your overdraft limit with the wages paid in then the bank may decide not to release the funds.

I suggest you visit the debt free wannabee section as you probably need the help of the very good people in there. Getting angry with the bank is not going to help you but getting some control of your finances will.

snow1970

full-time-mum-I went into the bank at they said they could not tell me anything further until I received a letter. But, that I could take money out of the account. So, since I have a Nationwide account next door I withdrew my money and deposited it there. At least that way I can pay some bills. Thanks for the advice!!

dunstonh-Thanks for the advice. When I got home from my little trip to the bank the mystery letter had arrived. I spoke to the person that sent it and they said the reason it happened was because I had three direct debits bounce in April. Keeping in mind that I have had this account for six years and this is the first time I have been in this situation it seems harsh. But, they have agreed to issue Solo cards and I have to do an expense sheet to pay off the debt I have to them. I genuinely did keep them informed about my situation. I have crazy amounts of debt I am not going to lie. But, up until now I was able to juggle it better. Where it became a problem was when I had to be on long term leave from work because I lost a baby. I will check out that section. I know I really need help!!

brightonman123

so, wht happened then?

snow1970

Not much has happened. No cards although they have told me they were issued on the 27th and they will not let me have direct debits on the account. My mortgage company was not sympathetic at all and so I ended up paying them everything I had taken out. So, basically I am stuffed I guess!! The strange thing is that I got a call from HSBC this morning asking why I did not pay my loan payment to them. Ummmm because you cancelled my direct debits!! UGH!!

This whole drama coincided with my sending them a letter to reclaim my bank charges. Coincidence??

hanu

You are not alone Snow we are having similiar probs with HSBC at mo..

One thing is for sure one dept does not speak to another. Perhaps India is too far??

In this house we call them Hongkong & Shanghai sharks!!

At one time this bank, when we opened our account, was Midland Bank who's slogan was "the listening bank" they are many miles away from this today! :mad:

snow1970

UGH!! Still no cards and no easy access to my account. So annoying, but at least I have a back up account with Nationwide. I have arranged for my pay to go there next time and then I will make a payment arrangement with HSBC for the overdraft.