i have a number for the Rawtenstall Branch which is 0845 603 2823 does anyone know the land line number for this one?

About 2 years ago, I needed to contact someone at a branch of HSBC and I was directed to India.  They tried to transfer me but told me that the numbers were engaged.  I then phoned their Canary Wharf HO (020 7991 8888) and after a short time someone answered saying “security”.  I asked for the numbers and was given a choice of 2.  I was asked why I had phoned the security number and on telling them the number I dialled, I was told “oh, it seems that they are not answering their phone” !! 

I phoned the branch numbers and kept on getting voicemail messages.  As they appeared to be in a sequence, I tried other numbers nearby and was successful and managed to speak to the person I was trying to contact.  When I mentioned the numbers I had been given, surprise was expressed as they had left that extension some 3 months previously.

In another instance, my bank, First Direct, sent me more foreign currency than I ordered and charged me for that amount.  I suggested that it would be easiest for me to return it to the nearest HSBC branch, some 200 yards away.  I was told that they would make arrangements and call me back.  After some time, I called First Direct again and was told that they had found it impossible to contact the branch – amazing as First Direct are part of HSBC.

The last instance concerns a voicemail message left on my office phone.  “This is *** from your bank, please call me on 0845 ********”.  I tried the number and of course, no one knew who called me.  I thought it might be in respect of an HSBC account that I have. 

The person eventually called me again and it transpired that the call was in respect of a direct debit instruction I had sent to a particular branch (I am also a DD originator) where the mandate had become detached from the covering letter.  I asked why the message referred to my account when clearly it was not.  I was told that data protection issues were involved.

You will gather that I’m not impressed with HSBC and suggest that there is little point in trying to contact them by phone.

There is a thread on HSBC branch numbers here.

There seems to be a pattern with HSBC where numbers for branches within the same area code start with the same few digits.

The fax number for the Rawtenstall branch is 01706 706749.

The fax number for the Rochdale (Yorkshire Street) branch is 01706 706399.

Note the similarities. 

This leads me to believe that branches have 50 or maybe 100 consecutive numbers. 

I am also a H.S.B.C. Business customer, we are in the process of moving our account to Lloyds. I always ring 01226 261010 to contact customer service and it takes you through the automated system. I you want to bypass it and speak directly to a human voice then press the * key on your key pad 5 times.
You will hear the prompt "I do not understand that command and be put through to a human voice. Be persistant as they will attempt to give you an 0870 or 0845 number insist they transfer you.

Try this number I use it all the time just press the star key 4 times and you will be put through to a live operator insist they connect you and they will 01226 261010