Dec 08, 2006 02:40 PM
7901 Views
This is a real incident that tool place with one of my friends.Couple of months back he got a call from no. 022-64516173 from a lady named Riddhipretending calling from **HSBC Bank, Vile Parle branch.
She offered him a lifetime free HSBC Gold Credit card with min. credit limit of Rs. 1 lakh. She asked him a few questions like company name, salary, home address, home tel no. etc. She proposed to send a person on weekend to his place to collect the necessary documents to process his credit card application. The documents my friend submitted were: Xerox copies of Bank Statement, PAN Card, Salary slip and telephone bill (for address proof). I think he also submitted his passport xerox (not sure about this). The person in return gave him a signed receipt with no details filled in. Also written on back side with pen was (Riddhi - 64516173). He also informed that they are direct representatives for HSBC named **Asian Corp.
Even after 1.5 months when he didnt get any credit card, he tried verifying his application status online on https://hsbc.co.in and also tried the same with automated telephonic support. He got the message that the credit card application with his details have nmot reached HSBC.
He then tried calling up Riddhi on the number mentioned on the receipt. The lady who picked up the phone said that there is no lady named Riddhi here. Also when asked if its Asian Corp., she replied as No saying that this is HSBC Bank. Then she asked my friends name, and conveyed the name to someone sitting behind her, and then just sais NO NO NO NO. Thank you for calling sir. and banged down the phone.
He got bugged and tried to log a complaint with HSBC Bank. And to add to his woes the Complaint Form link on HSBC website does not work.
He is really bugged with this whole incident. I have learnt from his bad experience not to apply for a credit card just because I get a phone call or an e-mail saying lifetime free credit card with loads of benefits. These fraud people can misuse the information to harm you to a great extent. Always approach the right people for a credit c ard application as this entails your personal information to be given out.
Look out for such frauds.
