Complaint / Review
HSBC - Orchard Bank
Household Bank Fraudulent web advertising, fraudulent late fees and over limit fees ripoff

I have a Visa card with this company and one month, I logged into their web site a day before my payment was due. My browser was directed to a page which stated: "The current payment due on
your Account is $15.00. Make a Rush Payment to avoid incurring a $35.00 late fee."

I paid the $15.00 rush payment fee and made a $60-$70 payment on the account. My account was assessed a $35.00 late fee despite the assurance on their web site and the late fee plaed my account over it's limit. My account was assessed a $35.00 over limit fee.

I wrote to customer service explaining that they would need to reverse the late and over limit fees in keeping with their web site advertising that I could avoid a late fee by paying $15 to process a rush payment.

They wrote back explaining that they can't reverse the fees because of the Cardmember Agreement and Disclosure Statement. I wrote back explaining their implicit agreement when I paid a $15 fee for rush payment based on the language they posted on their web site. We exchanged five e-mails each making essentially the same case although I became more specific about their fraudulent advertising and illegitimate fees.

Finally I wrote HSBC requesting:
1. HSBC's agent for service
2. HSBC's official mailing address for legal matters
3. HSBC's official legal name
I explained that unless HSBC immediatley reversed both fees, I would have to file an official complaint againt the company alleging fraud.

I received a response with an apology about any confusion assuring me that my account would be credited within two billing cycles. I wrote back explaining that two billing cycles would be too long and that the credit needs to be applied befor next month's billing cycle begins. Also I pointed out that without the $70 credit my account was over it's limit and that I had better not be charged a fee for that. I indicated that I still needed the Agent for Service, the Offical Legal Mailing Address and the Official Legal Name, because if my account wasn't credited in a timely fashion or if it had additional fees assessed, I would continue with official aciton against the company. I am now waiting for a response to that communication.