HSBC Warns UK Customers About New Text Scam

A new HSBC text scam is duping people in the U.K. into giving their banking details over to criminals.

HSBC is warning customers to be on the lookout for scammers feigning to be the bank, according to Infosecurity Magazine.

HSBC sporadically texts customers via the app to keep them updated, and many Britons find the app useful and convenient.

Criminals in phishing scams have taken advantage of the app’s useful texting feature, and reports of the HSBC text scam have surfaced across the U.K.

The HSBC text scam involves a fake text message from HSBC telling the victim a new payment has been made on the HSBC app from their phone.

The text informs the user that if they did not authorise the payment, they need to visit “Security.hsbc.confirm-systems.com” to confirm their bank account details, Infosecurity Magazine reported. The victims of the HSBC text scam are then taken to a bogus bank landing page that demands their username, password and verification questions.

The HSBC text scam is one of the more sophisticated phishing scams, as the fake website uses HSBC branding, so victims are more likely to be duped. 

Nearly 50 people have come to law firm Griffin Law saying they have been the target of the HSBC text scam, according to Infosecurity Magazine. Many targets of the scam were able to easily spot it because they do not have the HSBC app. Griffin Law says that the HSBC text scam has been unsuccessful thus far.

Another piece of the HSBC text scam informs the victim that there has been a new payee under the name of “Mr. C Jones” has been added to their bank account, Express reported. The HSBC text scam continues by leading the victim to believe the new payee has obtained £418 from the account. 

According to Express, the fake HSBC text reads: “If this was NOT you, please visit our secure link to cancel.” The text includes an official-looking link that customers can click on to refund the money.

According to HSBC, which is aware of the phishing scams, recommends that customers be aware of telephone calls and text messages asking them to transfer money and says they should not go ahead with the transfer.

HSBC says it will never ask customers to send money to another account.

The bank also recently warned against other types of phone scams.

Calls asking consumers to transfer money to a “safe account” are also a red flag. Scammers may say they are from HSBC and sound convincing, but customers should contact HSBC if they receive a call like this.

Another common scam involves criminals calling and saying they are unable to process a payment.

The scammers ask customers to press 1 and then input account information. This type of scam is called “vishing.”

Scammers also use a real-looking number in fraudulent schemes known as “number spoofing,” which makes their phone number look like one that’s familiar to the victim.

If you receive a message like the ones in the HSBC text scams, do not click on the link or give any information. The only legitimate website is HSBC’s online banking at hsbc.co.uk.

If you become a victim of this scam, contact HSBC at the number on the back of your bank card.

In recent months, scammers have used green bond investments as a ruse. Scammers have also taken advantage of the coronavirus pandemic in an effort to siphon money out of consumers’ accounts. 

HSBC has a website designed to help you navigate through phishing scams.

If you receive a text from what you think is HSBC, this guide can help you decipher what is authentic and what is a scam. HSBC does send texts, so it is important to know which ones are real. The bank’s guide includes the exact messages sent by the bank.

Have you received texts from phishing scams? Tell us your story in the comments.

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