Beware of HSBC Expat

[FreedomSearcher]

HEADS UP: HSBC Expat holding funds hostage - my ongoing nightmare​

Just wanted to share my ongoing nightmare with HSBC Expat, in case it helps anyone here considering them for offshore banking.

HSBC has been holding my money hostage for over two months now—completely frozen, ZERO access.
The worst part? I got absolutely NO explanation or even an email when it happened.
I only found out when I tried to use my account and couldn't. Typical bankster behavior!

I've lost count of how many times I've contacted their so-called "support" (definitely 7+ calls/emails).
Eventually, some compliance drone reached out, asking for a stack of documents and information.
I sent everything they asked for, waited, then they came back asking for even MORE.
This cycle repeated multiple times—each time with long delays before they'd even bother to reply.

As of today, my funds are STILL frozen, despite providing everything requested.
No timeline, no real updates, just generic responses and more waiting.
Absolutely OUTRAGEOUS!

From what I've read here and elsewhere on OCT, it seems I'm not alone—random account freezes, lack of communication, and endless bureaucracy are all too common with HSBC Expat.
If you rely on your bank for anything important, I'd SERIOUSLY consider looking elsewhere.

Anyone else been through this HSBC compliance nightmare recently?
What offshore banks are actually respecting their clients these days?

 

[Alexmorgan]

EU banks specially UK based banks are horrible

But anyways most banks around the world are doing almost the same

Its international agreement between countries central banks

 

[jeffbean]

There charging more now I think from this month for people with a lower balance it’s gone up by 25k

 

[Frankie]

Generally I would say do as much noise as you can, email their PR email, tag them on Twitter on every post they write, post on Reddit, post on their Facebook page.
The more noise you make, the sooner somebody will realise it's better for them to give you your money back rather than you keep spreading negativity on their social media.
It worked for me with some EMIs in the past.

 

[Fred]

Hi @FreedomSearcher ,

couple of our clients in the past had exactly the same issue - not even with HSBC Expat in Jersey but all across the HSKC Jurisdictions they had an account for example in Hong Kong as well.

Long back and forth with bulls**t compliance questions followed from silence again - while it's in Hong Kong more complicated in Jersey HSBC Expat is located - it's not.

Contact directly the Ombudsman in Jersey for a fast resolving of the situation.

https://www.gov.je/StayingSafe/Cons...mbudsman/pages/complaintfinancialservice.aspx

 

[FreedomSearcher]

Hi @FreedomSearcher ,

couple of our clients in the past had exactly the same issue - not even with HSBC Expat in Jersey but all across the HSKC Jurisdictions they had an account for example in Hong Kong as well.

Long back and forth with bulls**t compliance questions followed from silence again - while it's in Hong Kong more complicated in Jersey HSBC Expat is located - it's not.

Contact directly the Ombudsman in Jersey for a fast resolving of the situation.

https://www.gov.je/StayingSafe/Cons...mbudsman/pages/complaintfinancialservice.aspx

Thanks a lot for your valuable response!
I'll try this.