I once believed that HSBC was a decent company because of their commercials but all has changed. I just received a HSBC VISA PLATINUM CREDIT CARD, and because of exceptional fees that can be charges, have canceled the card after 2 months of use.

The fees were incurred when setting up automatic payment. Although I have used the same account number to set up other accounts for automatic payment (example FORD Finance), HSBC indicated that the payment was rejected by the bank as an invalid account. I then COPY and PASTED the account from a bank statement and once again the payment was rejected according to HSBC. I contacted the HSBC card services to confirm what the problem was and their representative said that it appears that the payment went through but to check back in a few days. When I did, I discovered a $35 charge for each of the rejected payment on same account that were used in setting up other automatic payment schedule. When I call HSBC card services about these fees, they said that there were legitimate fees and that nothing could be done because the account number provided was incorrect. This was the same account number that was copied and pasted from the back statement and all that was missing were the prefix "0000" that only their system could not handle, but other system can with ease. I feel that this is an example of credit card companies making a grab for cash from consumers using their product.

Results, I ended up paying $70 in fees for a $24 account balance. NEVER AGAIN, and will advise all to stay away from this company and their credit cards. Now I see why HSBC has to advertise so much, if I am an example of their treatment.

PS: I thought that Loan Sharking was illegal, but this bank is able to charge and annual percentage rate of 35.20% on purchases. To me it makes Al Capone look like a saint when it comes to business.

I have a credit card which I rarely use but in good standing that I have had since 2007. No annual fee has ever been charged and I never agreed to one. I didn't even apply for this card, it was sent to me when I took out a loan with this bank. Suddenly, I've been charged an annual fee. I have had at least 10 emails to their so called customer service dept. and after 10 emails was told that the fee was waved as a courtesy in 2007. No comment has been made regarding why no fee was ever charged until 2 years later and when I asked for proof that I ever agreed to an annual fee, well that request is ignored. I refuse to try and call these people because I can't ever get anyone that I can understand, calling is even more frustrating than emailing. Isn't there anything I can do?

HSBC credit card holders...beware! I just received a letter from HSBC informing me my credit limit had been reduced...almost in half. "No Way!" I thought to myself. I have been an outstanding customer for over 5 years now, never a day late with a payment, never over the limit and I have good credit. So I called HSBC thinking this must be a mistake. NO! They informed me that even thought I was a customer who had never had a late payment that they were completing a loss migration review on its accounts and even those with outstanding accounts are receiving credit reductions and interst rate increase!

To anyone looking for a credit card company...DO NOT CHOOSE HSBC! Fortunately I have the money to pay this credit card off and close this account. I will find another credit card company that will appreciate my good credit and outstanding payment history.

For now...I will continue to write as many complaints as possible in regards to the credit card practices of HSBC.

As an HSBC Credit Account holder, I received notice my card was cancelled due to inactivity. No notice was given or warning which would have prompted myself and hundreds of others to use the card. When I called to get an explanation, I was challenged by the rep "Diane." She wouldn't answer my questions and wouldn't listen to my concerns. I asked how long the 'inactivity' period was (which should be a standard term within the corporation) and not only could she not tell me the answer, but with an attitude replied with trivial and challenging questions and a condescending tone. I asked where I could find the information (as in a pamphlet/card holder agreement) and she kept saying "well you have to read the letter you got." That was not the question or concern.

She was clearly having a bad day; however, it is NEVER okay to challenge customers and answer their questions with an answer not relevant to the question. I kept clearly restating my question, then she told me it wasn't my information to have since my account was closed. This is the public information on a publicly traded company, that any and all consumers, current and prospective, have the right to read before deciding to do business with. I calmly stated, surely you must have some information for the hundreds of people like me calling upset about this. I am sure many people are calling upset and all we want is an explanation in the form of a corporate policy. Rudely she replied with a giggle, "Actually, most people [calling] are quite happy about this and are relieved..." Any intelligent educated person can say a few things: 1) this comment was intended to be snide, 2) customers are NOT calling to say 'thank you', 3) people are not happy.

Diane should have had a better attitude, should be able to educate me on the policy, and should be able to tell me what pamphlet (of the many I have through the years) I can reflect to for the info on the rights HSBC has (including that of closing my account).

HSBC is struggling as a financial institution and is hurting.

Closing inactive accounts is ignorant in this financial time. As customers are hurting financially, they rely on credit in turn giving companies like HSBC business/interest. People will NEVER use HSBC again after this experience. This could have been alleviated with a note or email with: “due to inactivity, we will be closing your account in 30 days.” In its place, customers get “account has been closed.” What happened to ethics, better business practices, retention & customer service?

We transferred credit card balances to HSBC for zero percent interest in December of 2007. We immediately started getting calls trying to get us to take out their Account Protection Plus coverage which I repeatedly refused to do. The company began charging us for Account Protection Plus coverage on February 4, 2008 and have continued to do so to the present date. I have called several times telling them we did not want this protection. I was assured the charges would stop which they did not. I do not no why these people do not understand NO.

They even charged a dollar a month service charge for the insurance. To date total charges amount to $284.83 which we never authorized and tried to get stopped from day one.

I feel these unauthorized charges should be refunded

Jim Hogue