HSBC Customers Hit By Text Message Scam

HSBC Bank customers have been receiving fraudulent text messages in recent days asking them to dial in to a 1-800 number and enter their account information over the phone.

Customer service personnel at HSBC confirmed that the text message scam had impacted numerous bank customers since Monday, but a spokesman for the bank said there is no evidence of any HSBC "data breach" or of any customer information, including credit card numbers, being compromised.

The text message read, "HSBC ALERT," and provided a number to call, which led to a professional recording that asked for account information.

The spokesman would not confirm whether the issue was widespread among HSBC accountholders, as the customer service personnel had indicated. He did not comment on why the bank did not alert customers of the scam, but he said the bank encourages customers to be "vigilant about protecting their personal information."

In addition, the HSBC spokesman said it has never been the company's policy to contact customers via text message, and that consumers should contact the bank if they believe their account has been compromised by a scam. HSBC's web site says that customers will not be held liable for any unauthorized charges.

A similar texting fraud scheme impacted HSBC customers in the New York area last October, when an automated message told customers to enter account information.

It's unclear whether random cell phone numbers may have been rounded up by scam artists, or if HSBC customers in particular are being targeted. The HSBC spokesman would not comment in greater detail, but said the bank's data had not been breached.

The bank has had issues with data theft in the past.

Text message scams have also impacted other banks in the past, such as JP Morgan Chase.

Comments

[rcon23]

04:04 PM on 03/10/2011

Knowing it was probably a scam, I called the number but certainly did not provide my credit card number. Then I called HSBC's real 800 number. The customer service rep didn't know about the scam, didn't care much about my report, and didn't take the phone number when I offered it. Since HSBC will ultimately have to reimburse fraudulent changes, one would think they would be more vigilant and at least a little upset that this is going on.

[SethS]

09:48 AM on 03/09/2011

I got one of these - not an HSBC customer - clearly there is a larger issue and not just with the "bank's information"

[pjwrites]

07:29 AM on 03/09/2011

Mom used to say, "If only they would put their talents to work for the good!"

I never had the heart to tell Mom that working "for the good" doesn't pay well. Like, at all.

[Candide33]

03:59 AM on 03/09/2011

"vigilant about protecting their personal information."

How can they when the bank sells their information?

[dkinton49]

03:13 AM on 03/09/2011

I cannot believe anyone would be so stupid as to follow these instructions based upon receiving a text message. Unbelievably stupid! Why would they not call the bank to confirm/validate the text?

[gevan]

02:28 AM on 03/09/2011

Is it really off an HSBC number list or is it random? I have gotten e-mails about my BankAmerica account when I've never had an account at that bank.

[BMVB]

01:14 AM on 03/09/2011

I think it's a shame that HSBC is the only major bank without a iPhone/ iPad app. www.sportbloggers.com

[raholco]

01:00 AM on 03/09/2011

Not a new scam at all: crooks were targeting Chicago-area cellphones last year using phony text alerts claiming to be from Harris Bank.