topic Re: HSBC Denial Letter in Credit Cards

HSBC Denial Letter

Anonymous — Sat, 25 Aug 2007 03:17:10 GMT

On August 17, I went onto the HSBC site and did a preapproval application. It stated that I was eligible for an HSBC Platinum card. Wanting to be careful, I took the time to read all of the fine print and found where it stated that the maximum number of HSBC accounts allowed were two. So I hit apply and was denied. Today, I received this letter (keep in mind that I only have an Orchard Gold card from HSBC and no other accounts with them):

Reference Number: XXXXXXXXXXXXX

Dear sleigh17,

We are writing to you regarding your application for a HSBC card account issued by HSBC Bank Nevada, N.A.

Unfortunately, we are unable to approve your application due to the following reason(s).

YOU ALREADY HAVE THE MAXIMUM NUMBER OF ACCOUNTS ALLOWED WITH HSBC

If you have any questions, please contact one of our Lending Services Representatives at 1-800-660-1767 or visit us online at www.hsbccreditcard.com. Please note that you will need the above reference number when you call.

Sincerely,

HSBC

Lending Services Department

Of course, by the time I had a chance to call, they are closed until Monday morning. Any of you that have 2, 3, 4, or more of HSBC/Orchard cards have any suggestions on what to say to these people who so obviously have lied about their policy?

Any words of wisdom would be greatly appreciated. I don't care about the card as much as I do the INQ on my report and the outright lie that they are using for the reason of denial.

Thanks,

Sam

Re: HSBC Denial Letter

Anonymous — Sat, 25 Aug 2007 14:05:00 GMT

Where are all the HSBC/Orchard customers? Someone must have a word of advice on how to confront them on their double standard.

Re: HSBC Denial Letter

Anonymous — Sat, 25 Aug 2007 14:33:02 GMT

sleigh17 wrote:
Where are all the HSBC/Orchard customers? Someone must have a word of advice on how to confront them on their double standard.

I've got 2 Orchard accounts. No real advice, but I'd ask them to clarify their policy. Ask for the REAL reason you were denied, cause the 'only one account' excuse is bogus.

good luck

Re: HSBC Denial Letter

Anonymous — Sat, 25 Aug 2007 15:06:25 GMT

Do you have any of their retail services card like Best Buy? I dont know how but I now have 3 cards with them. Must have slipped under the radar. I have the Paltinum with 2% cash back, the Best Buy Store Card and MasterCard. Got the MasterCard by accident while app'ing for the store card which probably explains why they didn't notice.

Message Edited by Brammy on 08-25-2007 11:06 AM

Re: HSBC Denial Letter

Anonymous — Sat, 25 Aug 2007 15:12:55 GMT

Brammy wrote:
Do you have any of their retail services card like Best Buy? I dont know how but I now have 3 cards with them. Must have slipped under the radar. I have the Paltinum with 2% cash back, the Best Buy Store Card and MasterCard. Got the MasterCard by accident while app'ing for the store card which probably explains why they didn't notice.

Message Edited by Brammy on 08-25-2007 11:06 AM

Brammy-

Is this the same Platinum I just got? 0% Promo, 12.9% after, 2% cash back. Pretty nice deal from Orchard.

Re: HSBC Denial Letter

Anonymous — Sat, 25 Aug 2007 15:17:45 GMT

Anderson wrote:

Brammy wrote:

Do you have any of their retail services card like Best Buy? I dont know how but I now have 3 cards with them. Must have slipped under the radar. I have the Paltinum with 2% cash back, the Best Buy Store Card and MasterCard. Got the MasterCard by accident while app'ing for the store card which probably explains why they didn't notice.

Message Edited by Brammy on 08-25-2007 11:06 AM

Brammy-

Is this the same Platinum I just got? 0% Promo, 12.9% after, 2% cash back. Pretty nice deal from Orchard.

Mine is not Orchard but the terms are the same. Are they giving high limits with the Orchard card? The one I have is the highest limit I have yet.

Message Edited by Brammy on 08-25-2007 11:17 AM

Re: HSBC Denial Letter

Anonymous — Sat, 25 Aug 2007 15:14:36 GMT

Brammy wrote:
Do you have any of their retail services card like Best Buy? I dont know how but I now have 3 cards with them. Must have slipped under the radar. I have the Paltinum with 2% cash back, the Best Buy Store Card and MasterCard. Got the MasterCard by accident while app'ing for the store card which probably explains why they didn't notice.

Message Edited by Brammy on 08-25-2007 11:06 AM

No, I only have the one Orchard card. Started with Silver card with $300 CL 18 mos ago and now moved up to Gold with $400.00 CL. Nothing else from them. Although they do keep trying to get me to take out a new car loan. I supposedly have been "prequalified" on three different occasions. Everytime I call them, before I hang up, the rep always says, "By the way, you qualify for our new or refinance auto loan. Would you like to set that up today?" Of course, I consistently say "No".

Re: HSBC Denial Letter

Anonymous — Sat, 25 Aug 2007 15:17:01 GMT

sleigh17 wrote:

Brammy wrote:

Do you have any of their retail services card like Best Buy? I dont know how but I now have 3 cards with them. Must have slipped under the radar. I have the Paltinum with 2% cash back, the Best Buy Store Card and MasterCard. Got the MasterCard by accident while app'ing for the store card which probably explains why they didn't notice.

Message Edited by Brammy on 08-25-2007 11:06 AM

No, I only have the one Orchard card. Started with Silver card with $300 CL 18 mos ago and now moved up to Gold with $400.00 CL. Nothing else from them. Although they do keep trying to get me to take out a new car loan. I supposedly have been "prequalified" on three different occasions. Everytime I call them, before I hang up, the rep always says, "By the way, you qualify for our new or refinance auto loan. Would you like to set that up today?" Of course, I consistently say "No".

Looks like the may still be counting the silver against you. I'd call.

Re: HSBC Denial Letter

Anonymous — Sat, 25 Aug 2007 15:27:46 GMT

Brammy wrote:

Looks like the may still be counting the silver against you. I'd call.

Thanks Brammy,

I will call on Monday. The denial letter gave me a number to call, but when I tried it last night, they were closed until Monday. Probably a good thing. I was pretty hot at that moment. Talking it out and cooling down before I call may go a long way to getting at the bottom of this thing. Thanks again.

Re: HSBC Denial Letter

Anonymous — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 14:46:46 GMT

Anderson wrote:

sleigh17 wrote:
Where are all the HSBC/Orchard customers? Someone must have a word of advice on how to confront them on their double standard.

I've got 2 Orchard accounts. No real advice, but I'd ask them to clarify their policy. Ask for the REAL reason you were denied, cause the 'only one account' excuse is bogus.

good luck

Called HSBC this morning and was told that I can only have one account. Read to them the terms and conditions that I had on screen and that I have printed hard copy. Then was told that second card had to be preselected through mail.

Then asked for supervisor who told me that the type of card that the preapproval process says I am qualified for cannot be issued unless you receive a preselectd letter by mail with a number that has to be entered on the application. No such place to enter this number.

Then told her that I was going to pursue legal action for false and misleading banking practices. She gave me the address and phone number of the "President". I am waiting until 8:00AM to call and start round three. I will probably end up losing the card I now have, but I don't care. Their policy is misleading and they openly lie in writing right on their website. It's time someone started jousting with this windmill! LOL Wish me luck!

BTW, I asked that the INQ be removed from my CR and was told that this cannot be done since it is considered a real application. Told her I wouldn't have applied if the website wasn't misleading, so I would take this point up in court also.

Message Edited by sleigh17 on 08-27-2007 07:46 AM

Re: HSBC Denial Letter

Anonymous — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 14:49:10 GMT

What telephone number did you reach them. I had a similar experience. I would like to call them as well.

Re: HSBC Denial Letter

Anonymous — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 14:50:42 GMT

One card? Is this something that changed between the time you logged on to app and the time you hit the submit button? Makes no sense. Oh well I guess my limit on my Best Buy Mastercard will never get any higher in that case. It has always been two cards and it says so not only online but on the back of every app you get in the mail. Is it because of card type? Or did the rep not know enough to furnish that info?

Sorry this happened.

Re: HSBC Denial Letter

Anonymous — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 15:12:53 GMT

WBLAKE wrote:
What telephone number did you reach them. I had a similar experience. I would like to call them as well.

The number on my denial letter was 1-800-660-1767. It does say to have your reference number (from your denial letter) available when you call, but neither the rep nor the supervisor ever asked me for mine. Hope you have better luck than me.

Re: HSBC Denial Letter

Anonymous — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 15:15:26 GMT

I have 2 householdbank cards- the second was a "invitation by mail"

The DW has 2 Orchard cards.

From householdbank.com FAQ:
# Can I have more than one credit card account?

Currently, you may only have one type of HSBC Credit Card account.

http://www.householdbank.com/ecare/faqcard

Same on orchardbank

http://www.orchardbank.com/ecare/faqcard

I know when I looked at these FAQ's a few weeks/months ago it said 2.

Message Edited by Timothy on 08-27-2007 08:15 AM

Re: HSBC Denial Letter

Anonymous — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 15:28:23 GMT

Timothy wrote:
I have 2 householdbank cards- the second was a "invitation by mail"

The DW has 2 Orchard cards.

From householdbank.com FAQ:
# Can I have more than one credit card account?

Currently, you may only have one type of HSBC Credit Card account.

http://www.householdbank.com/ecare/faqcard

Same on orchardbank

http://www.orchardbank.com/ecare/faqcard

I know when I looked at these FAQ's a few weeks/months ago it said 2.

Message Edited by Timothy on 08-27-2007 08:15 AM

Okay then, this JUST changed and it is obvious that they haven't yet updated all their info on different sites. I just took a look at HSBCs site and dont see anything about the number of cards you can have. Is it because one isconsiered issued by HSBC directly and the other is HHB?

I just double checked my reports and I have three card reporting HSBC - Two show HSBC Nevada, the oter one HSBC Best Buy

Message Edited by Brammy on 08-27-2007 11:28 AM

Re: HSBC Denial Letter

Cory — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 15:50:33 GMT

Brammy, don't forget about our coffee and tea party!

Cory

Re: HSBC Denial Letter

Anonymous — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 16:40:30 GMT

The 2nd card I just got was from an offer mailed to me.

Brammy- Orchard MC- $1850

Orchard Visa- $2000

am going to persist in trying to combine them

Re: HSBC Denial Letter

Anonymous — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 16:45:01 GMT

Brammy wrote:
One card? Is this something that changed between the time you logged on to app and the time you hit the submit button? Makes no sense. Oh well I guess my limit on my Best Buy Mastercard will never get any higher in that case. It has always been two cards and it says so not only online but on the back of every app you get in the mail. Is it because of card type? Or did the rep not know enough to furnish that info?

Sorry this happened.

I have talked with several reps and a supervisor who all say that you cannot have more than one card unless they send you a preselected (preapproved) offer in the mail for the second one. However, no where on their website or their preapproval screen does it say this. I have seen in a couple of places where you can only have one type of HSBC card. But my terms and conditions for my online preapproval specifically states two (2) accounts per customer.

I spoke with the Executive Cardmember Services and explained the discrepency in their website advertising and what the reps were telling me. I also stated that they certainly could turn me down for any justifiable reason and I would not argue at all, but if they persist with this reason, I will pay off and close my current card and file suit against them for false and misleading practices.

I was informed that an investigation would be undertaken to see what could be done about correcting the system and that she would go to the credit department to see about me being reconsidered for the card that I was preapproved for. I don't really expect much in the way of results, but it sure was fun being in the driver's seat during that phone call.

Also, I was informed that it was "NOT POSSIBLE" to remove an INQ once it was placed because it was a legitimate application. I told her that it was not legimitate because I was baited into applying with a false promise of something that they had no intention of giving me, so we will see what happens with this whole issue.

Sorry for the rambling, but this really irks me that they can blatantly lie and get away with it.

Re: HSBC Denial Letter

Anonymous — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 23:53:01 GMT

HSBC Executive Card Member Services called me back today and asked me to fax them a copy of the terms and conditions that I had printed because they could not find where it said on their application that you could have two cards and if you were applying for a second card, you might be given more benefits. They also wanted my denial letter that said I had the maximum number of cards allowed by HSBC (which is one). She claimed they were doing an investigation into the whole fiasco and would let me know regarding any changes they make.

Re: HSBC Denial Letter

Anonymous — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 00:43:22 GMT

Still seems weird. Like I said they must have Just changed it. My first card was invite only but the other two were not. Just cold apps just in April. Maybe because they are co-branded? All told about 8k with them one card is only a 500.00 limit was like WTH? Which is what caused meto accept the third card because they were willing to give me enough of a limit to buy my comp on it.

Message Edited by Brammy on 08-27-2007 08:43 PM