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HSBC United Kingdom

Making contact

If you find yourself struggling with your finances, the earlier you speak to us the quicker we can help and work with you to try and find a solution. The more open and honest you are about the problem and causes, the more we can help you. This includes being honest with yourself: don't ignore post from people you owe money to.

Talk to us

We know that problems may arise at any time and changes in our lives can impact on our finances. You may be:

  • made redundant
  • taking time off to have a baby
  • ill or injured and can't work
  • splitting up with a partner
  • self–employed and business is slow.

To arrange a discussion

Lines are open 9am - 8pm (Mon-Fri) 8am - 4pm (Sat) (except for Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day). Calls may be monitored and/or recorded for security and service improvement purposes.

Take control

If you find yourself in financial difficulties, it's in our interest, as well as yours, to find a solution.

The Lending Code sets out how financial organisations deal with their customers and states that banks will deal sympathetically and positively with people in financial difficulties.

With your co–operation we'll help you to develop a plan for dealing with your financial difficulties and we'll confirm in writing what has been agreed. Don't try and make payments you can't afford and can't maintain.

It's important for you to keep in touch with us, especially if circumstances change. We're happy to communicate with you or your advisor by phone, in writing or by arrangement by fax, depending on your preference. You may also arrange for a discussion at a local branch.

If you're using a money advice service, please tell us immediately so that we can allow sufficient time for your discussions with them.

Contact the companies you owe money to

They'll appreciate your honesty and should try to help. Don't ignore your problems as they could take legal action to recover their money. And you may not get credit in the future.

Other help

If you are in difficulties, you can also get help and advice from debt-counselling organisations. We will tell you where you can get free money advice. If you ask us to, we will work with debt-counselling organisations, such as Citizens Advice Bureaux, money advice centres or the Consumer Credit Counselling Service. Their contact details are as follows.


You should also be aware that there are other companies that charge a fee for managing your debts. Please consider carefully whether you wish to pay a fee when free advice is available.

You can find out more about organisations that charge for help and advice by visiting www.demsa.co.uk or calling them on 0113 277 7610

If you want to solve your own problems independently, your local library, bookshop or large newsagent should have a range of books on managing your money. Your local Citizens' Advice Bureau may also be able to assist with 'self–help' literature.

Be aware

Debt will not go away on its own. If you miss payments, ignore calls and reminders or are unable to agree an alternative, acceptable agreement we may, as a last resort, pass the matter to a reputable Debt Collection Agency or take legal action through the courts. The details of this may be passed on to a Credit Reference Agency. The Credit Reference Agency retains this information for six years even though you may settle the debt in the meantime. If you subsequently try to borrow money, most lenders will check your credit record. A bad credit record is likely to result in you being turned down.
You can check what information credit reference agencies have about you by writing to:

  • Equifax Plc, Credit File Advice Centre, PO Box 1140, Bradford, BD1 5US or www.equifax.co.uk
  • Experian Ltd, Consumer Help Service, PO Box 9000, Nottingham, NG80 5GX or www.experian.co.uk
  • Call Credit Plc, Consumer Services Team, PO Box 491, Leeds, LS3 1WZ or www.callcredit.co.uk

You will need to send £2 and give your full first names, surname, date of birth, address including postcode and any other addresses you have lived at during the last 6 years.

Once you have cleared any debts, you may want to check your records with them to make sure that they have noted that you have repaid your debts.

Applying for bankruptcy is very much a last resort, which is not recommended in most cases. You are likely to lose all your assets including your home if you own one, and if you make yourself bankrupt you have to pay bankruptcy fees yourself. Other options, such a Debt Relief Order (DRO) or an Individual Voluntary Arrangement ((IVA), may also have a significant negative effect on your lifestyle, credit rating and employment prospects. You should always seek advice before pursuing this option.

Complaints

If you are unhappy or concerned about the way your case is being handled, you have the right to make a formal complaint. Please contact us to request our 'Listening to your comments' leaflet.

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