Singapore Expats

Hi,

I recently acquired a HSBC Singapore Visa Debit Card (multi-currency) and I am having numerous problems using it to pay for items online. I have tried using the card to purchase items from separate websites and the payments are continually getting rejected. A phone call to the bank led me to be informed that their debit card's require CVV2 transaction transmission (A VISA transmission security type i.e. the 3-digit number on the back). Slightly technical, what this means is that the website (let's use merchant instead) does not speak HSBC/VISA transaction language (even though all of the sites ask for the 3 digit number anyway). The merchant does not transit the full transmission back to HSBC (a design flaw) and hence the transaction gets rejected.

Now, clearly HSBC have implemented this technology for security/fraud prevention purposes which is all fine but what is the point if barely any merchants use this type of technology? The debit card is worthless in any sense. The workaround they offered me was to obtain their 'credit card' or go to another bank (yes, they actually told me that!). So on their advice, I phoned another bank (Citibank) and queried them on setting up a new account, told them the problem at HSBC and they said they too have the same level of security due to MAS regulations so I would indeed have the same problem??

I am from England and will be splitting my time between both countries. I conduct a big chunk of my purchases online. Is there a debit card that works online in this country and what are people currently doing? I don't want/need a credit card. Surely I am not the only one who wants to purchase something from Amazon for example.

Thanks

Virtually all credit cards use CCV... and will be rejected if the CCV is wrong.

I'd say the problem lies on HSBC's side of the equation.

CVV2 is slightly different (enhanced security). Because this is not what HSBC receives back in the transaction from the merchant, it bombs.

Citibank confirmed the same technical detail.

Surely other people are buying online somehow??

Cvv2 is 4 digits and cvv is 3 digits. Amex uses cvv2 with no problems.
Probably your only solution is what you have been suggested - find another bank still issuing the ccv cards (majority?). Judging from my experience with HSBC you should not regret the move.

I'm using the Citibank debit card. Same thing here. But they told me clearly when handing over the card: "does not work for online purchases, use credit card instead"

I never had a problem with a Mastercard debit card (POSB). I only got myself a credit card for the miles.

i think maybank has a $500-limit unsecured credit card that doesn't require any proof of income.

sounds like an awesome safe card to shop online with, given the low usable value. you can stick more money into it if you want to buy something >$500.

plus500 wrote:Hi,

I recently acquired a HSBC Singapore Visa Debit Card (multi-currency) and I am having numerous problems using it to pay for items online. I have tried using the card to purchase items from separate websites and the payments are continually getting rejected. A phone call to the bank led me to be informed that their debit card's require CVV2 transaction transmission (A VISA transmission security type i.e. the 3-digit number on the back). Slightly technical, what this means is that the website (let's use merchant instead) does not speak HSBC/VISA transaction language (even though all of the sites ask for the 3 digit number anyway). The merchant does not transit the full transmission back to HSBC (a design flaw) and hence the transaction gets rejected.

Now, clearly HSBC have implemented this technology for security/fraud prevention purposes which is all fine but what is the point if barely any merchants use this type of technology? The debit card is worthless in any sense. The workaround they offered me was to obtain their 'credit card' or go to another bank (yes, they actually told me that!). So on their advice, I phoned another bank (Citibank) and queried them on setting up a new account, told them the problem at HSBC and they said they too have the same level of security due to MAS regulations so I would indeed have the same problem??

I am from England and will be splitting my time between both countries. I conduct a big chunk of my purchases online. Is there a debit card that works online in this country and what are people currently doing? I don't want/need a credit card. Surely I am not the only one who wants to purchase something from Amazon for example.

Thanks

HSBC in Singapore is a complete and utter gong show. Go elsewhere. Anywhere. They really, really suck - you could make a monty python out of nearly every interaction with them. Chances are, whatever they told you was only half correct anyways. DBS are pretty good. And if you are in the UK Stan Chart should be a good option for going back and forth.