HSBC North America Complaint - My Accounts on Hold for? - Household & Orchard Bank

Posted by trmn8r on 2011-03-18:

The key to this is that there were holds placed on your cards for some reason. That is why they asked for your identifying information. This isn't typical. I have had credit cards for over 20 years, and never had a hold placed on a card.

Did they tell you WHY the hold was put on your account?

Posted by madconsumer on 2011-03-18:

are you self employeed?

Posted by unhappy999 on 2011-03-18:

I agree with trmn8r. I have used multiple credit cards for a number of years and never had to send in income, utility bill and SSN. I don't know why they would need all of this if you already had a line of credit with them and most likely, they already have your SSN. I did have hold put on one of one of my cards once due to a fraud alert. I had to call and verify that the charges were valid and that I was the one making the charges and they removed the hold. While it was inconvenient, it was for my own protection so it didn't bother me too much. I don't remember how I found out about it, I think my card was declined so I called the number on the back. I do not get any cards that have an annual fee, I only get the free credit cards. There are plenty of them to get that don't have a fee so I don't know what the advantage is of getting one with a fee. I get points with my Chase Freedom card and every so often, I go online and order a $50 check for my points.

Posted by throwback on 2011-03-19:

What the OP is not saying says a lot. I see "lowering credit score", and "never missed a payment". That just tells me there may be a large outstanding balance on the credit cards that could of led to actions taken by the lender.

Posted by Strangerthanfiction on 2012-02-14:

dbrhee... I am EXACTLY in the same situation as you. I filed a complaint with CFPB concerning this very thing (and other problems). When a representative from HSBC called to "discuss" my complaint, she told me there's no way I'd be asked those kind of questions.

After saying I had witnesses that HEARD them being asked, her story changed a little. The company had the right to verify information to be sure I was the actual account holder. Therefore, there were entitled to ask verifying information questions.

This was the exact same thing I have been told umpteen times already. I've asked, repeatedly, how answering irrelevant information, such as weight, cars driven, and a bunch of other survey type questions could prove my identity when my "legal" identifying information wasn't enough to verify who I was.

Furthermore, I NEVER provided such information to them in the first place so how would they know if the answers I gave were true or not. I was told the information they asked were a matter of PUBLIC RECORD and they could verify my answers that way.

So, PUBLIC RECORDS are more acceptable and will unlock my online access than private information? That means the public would have a greater chance of being able to get into my account.

BTW... everyone given advice or commenting on what the poster did wrong or had to do wrong... I hope you NEVER have to deal with this company the way I have. It is completely unreal. NEVER have I dealt with a company like this and I hope I never will again.