HSBC - Bypassing the automated phone system

[Can_Do_Network]

Hi all,

 

I heard this from Martin Lewis on a radio 2 show, and thought I would pass it on.

 

When you call the HSBC on 08457 404404 you are required to enter the following details:

 

• Account Number
  
• Date Of Birth
  
• 2 Digits from your security pin

Then, it says "please wait while I obtain your balance" tick tick tick..."Your balance is £232132132" That's great if you want your balance. But if you need to speak to a real person at the branch, you still have to go through the same routine.

 

Now, to bypass this system, Just hit the STAR (*) key and the HASH (#) key several times, like this:

 

**#*##***####**

 

The system will go all screwy and put you through to a real person! BINGO!

[tom3131]

Very useful infomation Can_Do_Network, I'm sure it'll come in useful for someone.

Thanks.

 

Regards,

Tom3131.

[Guest]

Ok, well I have designed these sort of Call Handling systems, and it's not that the system goes screwey, it is the error routine that it runs through.

 

Essentially, if the system gets several invalid responses it will fail over to a specific set of call agents.

 

All you need to do is to give the system a number of invalid responses, this is usally 3. And Yes, the Hash (#) is usually used as a confirmation button, so hit that a few times ;-)

[meagain]

TBH, I don't see much point in this, since if you answer those questions, the call centre agent will already know who you are. If you don't, then you only end up having to answer them again when you go through (and again should you be transferred). Sadly, the callcentre-wallah in India are too narrowly trained, so the old trick of trying the bill payment line doesn't work.

 

I remember once getting annoyed with a Lloyds call centre operative. I called up, asked for Mr. Again Sr. at the branch he was at for the day (I had a direct line for his usual workplace), and the operator insisted that she couldn't put me through if I didn't give her my account number. No amount of "I'm calling in an official capacity with a matter of the utmost importance" would get her to change. (I was calling in my official capacity as eldest son, and the important matter was the birthday of his wife )

[gage]

TBH, I don't see much point in this, since if you answer those questions, the call centre agent will already know who you are. If you don't, then you only end up having to answer them again when you go through (and again should you be transferred).quote]

 

You'd think so wouldnt you, never happen when I call Capital One though, enter card details etc, then as soon as I get through to a person get asked for them all again, most annoying

[Can_Do_Network]

I just prefer to speak to a person rather than sit there like a lemming tapping in my details. Call me old fashoined

[meagain]

I just prefer to speak to a person rather than sit there like a lemming tapping in my details. Call me old fashoined

 

Fine, but since HSBC seem to have the first system I've encountered where it actually *does* remember your details, I'd rather tap it all in once, and not have to reveal any part of my security information to a human where possible. More importantly, I don't have to repeat everything to each of the half-dozen callcentrewallah I end up speaking to.

[scbray]

Hitting the STAR (*) key and the HASH (#) key several times didn't work for me.

Their phone system kept asking me to enter the security code.

 

In the end, I did it by calling the number for Non-HSBC Customers. I got straight

through. It is on the HSBC web site

[Bandit127]

Been a while since I used HSBC's system, but ignoring the initial requests for details (i.e. press nothing) was sufficient. It would ask 3 times and then put you through to a human.

[nstofberg]

Great, thanks for the help...

Will use this next time i call

[noddy997]

Been a while since I used HSBC's system, but ignoring the initial requests for details (i.e. press nothing) was sufficient. It would ask 3 times and then put you through to a human.

 

Get that a lot with utility companies. Usually enter random numbers several times until it say dont recognise then you get transferred to a human.

 

Even if you do enter the correct details when you are put through the person on the other end will ask you for all the details again.

 

They have this system so they can charge you more on the phone bill, its a joke I know!