When I saw the story in "Buenos Aires Herald" yesterday about HSBC Argentins getting raided
due to alleged money laundering, it reminded me of a problem I had with them several years ago.
I saw I wasn´t the only one who had that problem. I was in Brazil and neither the ATM´s
nor HSBC branches would give me cash, though I had a valid ATM card. I could not
get through to HSBC Argentina on the toll free number so used up some of my last
money to telephone Argentina - and wait on hold. Finally, an employee came on
and said "he was sure any HSBC branch in Brazil could give me money" but I
needed to return to Argentina and change my pass code in order to get my own
money.
Brazil is particularly risky to rely only on an HSBC Argentina card. As far as I
know, tourists are still not allowed to receive money transfers in Brazil.
due to alleged money laundering, it reminded me of a problem I had with them several years ago.
I saw I wasn´t the only one who had that problem. I was in Brazil and neither the ATM´s
nor HSBC branches would give me cash, though I had a valid ATM card. I could not
get through to HSBC Argentina on the toll free number so used up some of my last
money to telephone Argentina - and wait on hold. Finally, an employee came on
and said "he was sure any HSBC branch in Brazil could give me money" but I
needed to return to Argentina and change my pass code in order to get my own
money.
Brazil is particularly risky to rely only on an HSBC Argentina card. As far as I
know, tourists are still not allowed to receive money transfers in Brazil.
