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SMS, HSBC, Banks & New Bank Accounts in Qatar
Well, I have been woken in the middle of the night by SMS from HSBC for the last time.
I am a premier customer of HSBC and have been infuriated by receiving a text message on my mobile for any transaction on my account. I have messages in the middle of the night waking me up, muliple text messages whilst at work informing me of my wifes shopping spree and a text message myself in in real time anytime I take some money out or buy something.
WHO NEEDS THIS SERVICE??
Not only is it invasive, it is extremely disruptive to work and home life. I have fruitlessly attempted to have the service cancelled with HSBC but this has proved impossible - SMS is essential apparently under QCB guidelines.
On reading up on the HSBC website it seems you should only be getting SMS alerts between 7am and 10pm - not so. It also states you should be able to limit the amount of messages you get by entering minimum transaction limits - no so (I set mine to 1,000,000,000QR - it doesn't work). You can also set up SMS alert holidays (for when you are out of the country). It doesn't work! I set up my holiday to the end of 2049!
So, I have set my mind to change accounts and find out if it really is only possible to have a bank account when you have a mobile phone.
So, HSBC is history, I am cancelling my account with and am now moving to Commercial Bank. I joined them yesterday. I advised the bank that I didn't have a mobile phone (SMS Alerts are automatically set up with Commercial Bank too). The assistant at first was very confused - "no mobile phone? You need one!". Eventually, she acknoledged that opening an account without owning a mobile phone was possible - who would have thought it!
So, I am eagerly awaiting getting new cards and the account opening - 3 days. Then I will, with smug look installed on my face, go to HSBC and close my account.
As a side note, Commercial bank terms and conditions state that you can opt-out of SMS alerts by notifying them in writing. HSBC do not offer this option.
So, my advice to anyone opening up a new account is to try to find out if you think SMS alerts is going to be useful for you. If not, then if you're going HSBC then don't give them a mobile number. If you're joining with anyone else, then find out if there is an opt-out policy.
Vote with your feet!! MOVE BANKS!
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baldrick2dogs said
Think again! I cancelled my ...Think again!
I cancelled my HSBC account and still got SMS messages from them a year later.
I phoned them and told them to remove my number from thier database.
They said, "Ok, what's your account number?"!!!!!!
Jokers!
Eventually I got deleted :o)
windupmerchant said
I thought about changing ...I thought about changing mobile phones and not advising HSBC. That would have worked, but this is going to be much more satisfying.
mmyke said
I like it actually....... ...it will let you know of any unauthorized withdrawals etc.
windupmerchant said
mmyke, I'd welcome ...mmyke,
I'd welcome unauthorised withdrawals, if these SMS would stop.
People manage all around the world without this service - the point is, you can't stop them.
Scarlett said
we hate it... ...we also have HSBC as our bank and one day last month, I get a text msg from hubby who said...guess what I just got??? Seems you don't have to even SIGN up for it because he didn't..it just got "added" as a service to our account. I asked why I didn't get a text msg when he withdrew money because it is a JOINT account and he said...you forget where you live!
Now he says that it is a total annoyance because it goes off at all times. Guess it its fine when its a guy who wants to take complete control of the wife's money activities...but if you don't trust your wife/spouse, why are you married in the first place????
A good friend helps you up when you fall. A best friends pees their pants laughing and trips you again!
mmyke said
I did not... ...sign up for the service either....
There is only me on the account, so I only get 5 notices or so a month...
windupmerchant said
I believe all bank accounts ...I believe all bank accounts will now set you up with SMS alerts. As QCB have instructed.
Setting up a new account you automatically get SMS alerts and need (to try) to opt-out.
sefri said
All the opposite for ...All the opposite for me!
With QNB I struggled at the beginning to get the SMS service. I tried registering by the online service, but it didn't work.
Then I went three times to the bank to get it working, but without success.
Finally they asked me for another mobile number if available and I gave them my wife's number.
Since then, it is working and now, MY WIFE IS UPDATED WITH MY BANK ACCOUNTS!
Previously, I used to tell her: I don't think we can afford this or that...
Now, she answers me: Don't worry, I know we can...!
:-(
*********************************
Obstacles are what you see when you set your eyes off the goal.
jackmohan2007 said
sefri ...lol ...sefri ...lol
Its a very good thing to get updated. While sleeping you can put the message mode to silent.
Because when the CC or DC is Stolen the thieves do not use it at the ATM they usually shop for a couple of days.
The advantage is if you notice your CC/DC missing you can call the bank to cancel it so any further damage is stopped.
If this facility is blocked then the thieves can shop for a good time before your statement comes to you or you bother to check it online....worst thing is the thieves could use the card to commit some crime.
windupmerchant said
No one is saying some people ...No one is saying some people might find this service useful, that's fine. However, you've missed the point of the post.
The point is if someone doesn't want it, it can't be stopped. It's affecting work and home and is driving me up the wall.
Steal my cards I don't care anymore. Or better yet steal my phone! You'll soon bring it back when the SMS start coming.
flanostu said
QCB requirement to get SMS ...QCB requirement to get SMS now. Just change your phone no. or give them a made up one.
mariam-mar said
sefri, nice ...sefri, nice one...
Windupmer, lol!
"There's nothing we can do to change the past, if it teaches you a lesson profit from it then, forget it.
There is no use of crying over spelt milk"
sefri said
I tried to modify the mobile ...I tried to modify the mobile number for SMS from the online service, but it fails to change!
I am beginning to doubt my wife has done some "Black Magic" on me?!
:o)
*********************************
Obstacles are what you see when you set your eyes off the goal.
malpaso said
hsbc ...sucks.
windupmerchant said
Well I've been well rid of ...Well I've been well rid of HSBC for almost a month now!
Guess what, no SMS from commercial bank! It would be hard since they don't have my mobile number though!
Unfortunately the HSBC messages keep coming! They felt the need to SMS me at midnight last night that they are taking charitable donations in the spirit of Ramadan which they will distribute to the needy!!! This morning, they advise me that I can triple my air miles when I use my cancelled card this month.
Nobheads.
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dweller said
Similar case in Turkey ...with the banks.
Except the messages are in Turkish. Everything else is in English but not the texts on the phone.