"Why do you need information about my income and outgoings?:
We need to understand where funds are coming from and going to as part of our on-going efforts to protect you and HSBC from fraud and financial crime.
Why do you need to see my utility bills?:
Utility bills are considered one of the safest ways to confirm address details. Online statements can be manipulated, so while we appreciate it can be inconvenient to produce original documents (or certified copies) we need these documents to protect your account from potential misuse.
Why do you need to see my passport/ID card?:
It's important we can verify your identity. A passport or national identity card is often one of the simplest and most readily available documents you can provide. Please note that we will require a certified copy (not the original)."
Looks like they're panicking after fucking up and are trying to demonstrate that they have put procedures in place.
All the rules around anti-money-laundering are just getting more and more onerous but loads of places are applying it on a flat basis rather than a risk-based approach.
Shutting innocent people's accounts down after they have been laundering money though. Fuck that shit. It's good enough reason for me to go elsewhere now before the close my shit down in 2 months.
What's this Safeguard shit? 30min to complete and seems to be prying?
https://www.hsbc.co.uk/1/2/contact-and-support/security-centre/hsbcsafeguard
"Why do you need information about my income and outgoings?:
We need to understand where funds are coming from and going to as part of our on-going efforts to protect you and HSBC from fraud and financial crime.
Why do you need to see my utility bills?:
Utility bills are considered one of the safest ways to confirm address details. Online statements can be manipulated, so while we appreciate it can be inconvenient to produce original documents (or certified copies) we need these documents to protect your account from potential misuse.
Why do you need to see my passport/ID card?:
It's important we can verify your identity. A passport or national identity card is often one of the simplest and most readily available documents you can provide. Please note that we will require a certified copy (not the original)."