Privacy FAQs
At HSBC, we have always recognized the importance of protecting your privacy.
You choose to do business with HSBC and we value that relationship, beginning with the personal information you share with us. The following are some frequently asked questions and answers about how HSBC safeguards your personal information and helps you protect your privacy.
I've been hearing a lot about Privacy and personal information. What does that have to do with my bank accounts?
Recent federal legislation (known as the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act) requires all financial institutions to provide customers with a statement outlining their policies and practices related to the sharing of personal information. This legislation applies to personal accounts only; it does not apply to commercial or business accounts. All financial institutions must be in compliance with this new legislation by July 1, 2001.
What is HSBC's policy on privacy?
HSBC's Privacy Policy is our commitment to protect your personal information. It covers important topics such as our promise not to sell information about customers to outside companies for their independent marketing purposes. It also explains why we share information within the HSBC family of companies (also known as affiliates or affiliated companies) and how you can benefit when we share information with our affiliates.
Do you sell information to companies outside of the HSBC family?
HSBC does not sell any customer information to other companies for their independent marketing purposes.
Why do you want to gather personal information about me and my accounts?
We gather information to help us improve our services and offer customers special banking benefits. We also gather information to protect you when you are conducting financial transactions with HSBC and prevent unauthorized individuals from gaining access to your accounts.
Do you ever share my personal information with
We may share information with other members of the HSBC family of companies. The HSBC family includes banking, consumer finance, insurance, mortgage, and brokerage companies. Some examples include companies doing business under the names HSBC or Household.
If I ask you not to share my information with your affiliates, will all of your affiliated companies honor my request?
Yes, all of our affiliates will honor your request; however, you cannot request to be excluded on a company-by-company or product-by-product basis. Keep in mind that by affiliates we mean other members of the HSBC family of companies. It does not include companies other than HSBC that may obtain your personal information from other sources.
Could one of HSBC's affiliates solicit me for a product or service based on information received from an outside source?
Like other financial services organizations, our affiliates sometimes purchase mailing lists from outside agencies and companies that are not affiliated with HSBC. These lists are typically compiled from public sources such as census information.
How can I get a copy of HSBC's Privacy Policy?
If you are an HSBC personal banking customer, you will receive a copy of our Personal Banking Privacy Policy in the mail annually. You can also ask at any HSBC branch, call our Customer Relationship Center at 1-800-975-HSBC (1-800-975-4722) or click here to view it online.
How can I reduce the number of solicitations I receive from HSBC?
Call us at 1-877-394-HSBC (1-877-394-4722) and request that you not receive marketing solicitations. You can choose not to receive offers by U.S. mail, telephone or e-mail.
How does it benefit me when you share information with other members of the HSBC family of companies?
Because we are all members of the same financial services organization, we can offer you a comprehensive financial plan and special banking benefits such as preferred interest rates and discounted services.
Is there special handling of information that HSBC holds as my trustee or disclosed fiduciary?
Yes - any personal information that is housed by our Trust department, including all of your trust or agency accounts, is subject to special protection -- even within our affiliated family of companies. HSBC recognizes the importance and sensitivity of this type of information.
Do you ever share information with companies that are not part of the HSBC family?
We may share your personal information with companies that are contracted by HSBC to perform services necessary for the routine operation of your account(s), services such as check printing, data processing, loan servicing and fraud prevention. We may also share information with other financial institutions with whom we have joint marketing agreements. For example, we work with the Assurant Group to provide payment protection for our credit card customers. In addition, we are occasionally required to provide information for legal reasons such as to the IRS, or for a subpoena or court order.
When you share information with companies that are not part of the HSBC family, can you still protect the privacy of my personal information?
Any company HSBC does business with is required to maintain the confidentiality of your personal information. HSBC enters into agreements with proven, reputable companies and holds them to high standards of privacy.
What if I don't want you to share my information with
Simply call us toll-free at 1-877-394-HSBC (1-877-394-4722).
If I ask you not to share my information with your affiliates, does that mean all my personal information?
We will not share your personal, credit-related information (such as age and income) with our affiliates. We may share information about your transactions or experiences such as your loan repayment or checking account history as permitted under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, which governs the fair and accurate reporting of credit information.
In addition, if you want to have your name taken off pre-approved credit solicitations (not just HSBC solicitations) you can write to the following credit reporting agencies. Please be sure to include your name, current address and Social Security number.
Experian
Consumer Opt-Out
P.O. Box 919
Allen, TX 75013
Equifax Options
P.O. Box 740123
Atlanta, GA 30374-0123
Trans Union LLC
Name Removal Option
P.O. Box 97328
Jackson, MS 39288-7328
