HSBC
Complaint 127738 Details

I opened this account because I was moving to Mexico. I had been taking money out of the ATM regularly for the first month. I went to the ATM to withdraw money and it said I had no money. I went home and made a transfer from my bank in the USA to HSBC for another $400 even though it said I had a balance of $617.94, it said it was unavailable.

I wrote to HSBC via bankmail and they informed me they closed my account. Their excuse was they attempted to contact me to update my personal information. I told them I was going to Mexico and that I would have no mailing address prior to going. I gave them all updated information prior to even leaving the United States. I was on the phone to them for 1 1/2 hours.

Even though they closed my account, their bank system allowed me to make a transfer of the $400. I had no idea the account was closed at this point. Upon finding this out I attempted to cancel the transfer but it would not let me. I then got online to my other bank in the United States and transferred the $400 out of the account so that HSBC could not get their grubby paws on it. They continued to make repeated attempts to gain money from my United States bank. I contacted my United States bank which kept charging me $30 each time they made this attempt. The charges for all of these repeated attempts to take the $400 and put it into this now closed account that already has $617.94 of my money totaled $90. Fortunately my United States bank was gracious enough to credit me back these charges and put a stop on HSBC for a charge of $30. I repeatedly contacted HSBC demanding they stop making attempts to get this money and asked them why they are even doing it since they closed my account. I got absolutely no where. Finally when my United States bank rejected their attempts they halted trying.

I logged onto my account today 06/19/2012 and it shows my available balance $0, and yet it shows my actual balance is $617.94. They still have not actually closed the account nor returned my money to me. They are simply holding it in this account and refusing to give me access to my money.

I have no idea how or why any of this happened. I opened this account, I notified them I am moving to Mexico, and one month later they decide to close my account and keep my money. It was completely unprovoked and without any type of explanation. I have direct deposit and get paid once per month. Their letter said I violated direct deposit rule. Yet was never told what rule it was I supposedly violated.

If you are moving out of the country, do yourself a favor and learn from my nightmare. As of this moment I am in Mexico without access to my money and I am going hungry thanks to HSBC.