Firstly, I’m really glad about debit cards and internet banking these days. Helps in keeping away from credit cards, which sap all the money from you. And, if the credit card is HSBC, then God help you! No, I guess even he cannot. I’ve had this card for several years. It’s an albatross around my neck. My mistake I used it generously.
Anyway, so I have been trying to get rid of the card for the last three years. Every time I cancel, they tell me I have been already charged for the annual fee and I’d be wasting Rs 750 so I can keep the card active, and they would automatically cancel it the following year. But, surprise! I get charged for it again and the story continues. Of course, then I need to use it. Ok, I’m not really a spend thrift and the usage has been for genuine purposes. But, you’d understand how it is; if you have something that makes things convenient, you don’t want to go for the mehnat.
Then, when I badly needed money for something, I thought I could withdraw from my credit card; but, my ATM pin does not work because I have not used it before. So, the customer care promises to send me the number and telephone Pin in 7 working days. I’m still waiting. It’s been over a year.
This month I have not received my statement because they are going green(I’m sure it’s just a way to save their money). The e mail statement password does not work. They keep changing the payment due dates and my available balance as per their own whims and fancy. Then when I call, they ask me verification question and actually tell me that I must keep a log of my available amount all the time. Lol.
So, now I will be unnecessarily paying them annual amount for the last 3 yrs. I still don’t have my statement and ATM pin no. My outstanding is a bit steep. If I want a settlement, I’d have to default. Like, not pay for 2 months and they’d call me to cancel and pay up and then we could talk about settlement. But, I’ll be charged a late fee and monthly interest.
Does anyone have any idea what must I do? I plan to go to the bank on Monday and at least talk to them. Can I lodge a complaint? They would have recorded calls when I called for cancellation and they said, they have taken a remark and would cancel the card automatically. But, these calls are once in a year. So, how long do they keep the log?
Would I recommend this to anyone? NO, unless I want to take revenge from someone or I’m in a sadistic mood. Pity I cannot give them negative marking on customer service, satisfaction, etc.