HSBC Identity check

[qqcs]

I have been an HSBC business account holder for 23 years.

During this time, there was never an identity check. A few weeks ago, I received a paper letter asking me to participate in an identity check. They asked me to send a paper form back with my signature or call them. I called them, they asked for an email address to which they can send the link where I can log in to this HSBC Smartserver, where I have to fill out a form and enter some data.

This was strange because hsbc has my company email address.

I received an email with a link to the Smartserver where I registered. I answered a few questions about money laundering, etc. I noticed they have my old address, but I could not change it. They also asked for my NI number and an identification document, e.g. passport, but I couldn't upload it anywhere. There was a chat option linked to my account, on which I asked how I could change the data and enter my NI number and upload the requested document. They answered in the chat that I should enter the amendment there and gave me a general HSBC email address where I can send my passport with a photo.

It was strange again that when I log in to the super secure smart server, I can't enter these data, but I have to enter them in the chat and send the photo of my passport to a general email. I then called HSBC telephone banking to ask if this check was really a genuine HSBC activity. They confirmed that it was, so I sent the data on the chat and the passport by email.

it was a couple of weeks ago and today, October 28, I received an email in which they still ask me to provide the data until October 15.

Did someone else have a similar HSBC check and it was also such an amateur? I thought a couple of times that this was a scam, but everything happened on a valid hsbc domain and they confirmed over the phone that this was HSBC activity.

 

[WaveJumper]

Well a very hard post to read, personally I would head into my local branch and make sure this is not a scam .........smells like one, if not you can update in person

 

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

I have broken the message down to make it easier to read.

This smells like a scam, but the ideal thing to do is visit a branch and ask them. Failing that call phone banking (dial 159 which will connect you to your bank) and ask.

KYC (Know Your Customer) is getting more strict, so there is a very slim chance that this relates to that check.

 

[neilsolaris]

When you called them, was it to a number on the letter you received? I think it is a good policy to only call or email the official company number/address that you are 100% certain is genuine.

 

[KM-Tiger]

I have been an HSBC business account holder for 23 years.

Likewise for a few years longer, but have never had to do the identity check you describe. If it is HSBC it's poorly designed as is does smell of scam or phishing.

But I have had to do 'Safeguarding' a few years back, which you can do online. It's rather tedious with a whole series of forms to complete, details of shareholders, directors, addresses and so on. But do it you must or they cut off your online access.

 

[DontAsk]

call phone banking (dial 159 which will connect you to your bank)

???

 

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

159 phone number - Stop Scams UK

Intended for use by consumers, 159 provides an easy route back to safety when you get an unexpected phone call about a financial matter

stopscamsuk.org.uk

 

[DontAsk]

159 phone number - Stop Scams UK

Intended for use by consumers, 159 provides an easy route back to safety when you get an unexpected phone call about a financial matter

stopscamsuk.org.uk

But it doesn't (directly) connect to your bank. I thought you were trying to say it was a feature of banking apps that they somehow detect when you dial that number. I don't use banking apps so that would not have helped help.

 

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

If I have that impression, I apologise.