HSBC Safeguard

HSBC Safeguard
Because money demands care.

As the world is becoming more connected every day, our security is at a constant risk; especially when it involves banking.

At HSBC, it is our responsibility to protect our customers from fraud and financial crime in the most effective way possible.

Therefore, there will be circumstances where we will need you to confirm, update or provide new information to us. This is to ensure your information is up-to-date, safeguarding your banking to give you peace of mind.


What do I need to know?

HSBC Safeguard is a series of initiatives that safeguard your hard-earned money and savings from financial crime and fraud. To do this we need to ensure the information we have about you is correct.

Over the next few months we will:
  • Review all our customer accounts to check we have all the details we need.
  • Be in touch if we need you to confirm, update or provide new information.

How does HSBC Safeguard
help me?

In a world that's more connected than ever, there's an even greater need for security. Our global systems are best able to provide you with world-class protection against financial crime when we have your most up-to-date information.


What shall I do next?

For every type of HSBC Account, you can find what you need-to-know below.
Simply choose your type of account to find out how HSBC Safeguard will affect you.


 Need more information?

Financial crime can affect anyone and everyone. Your support will go a long way to helping us make banking safer. Watch the video below to learn more about how HSBC is dealing with financial crime.



To protect customers and HSBC from financial crime, we need to ensure that your information is accurate, up to date, and complete. Watch the video below to understand what type of documents you might be requested to submit



Have more questions? Find your answer in our FAQs.

About HSBC Safeguard

HSBC Safeguard and you

Data and Security

Documents and Certification

What is HSBC Safeguard?

In today's technology-driven world, banking security has never been more important. At HSBC we're constantly putting new and better ways in place to protect our customers' accounts.

This is why we're introducing HSBC Safeguard; a series of initiatives designed to better protect all our customers from fraud and financial crime. To do this effectively, we need a little help from you. We have global systems that deter and detect criminal activity. To work most effectively, these systems rely on having the most up-to-date customer information. Now we need to confirm that the information we have about you is both accurate and current.

How will HSBC Safeguard protect me?

To detect criminal activity our global systems rely on having your most up-to-date information. We use this information to provide your account with world-class protection against crime.

Why do you suddenly need all this information? Don't you already have it?

We need this information so that we can protect you and us from financial crime. Knowing who our customers are and understanding how they use their accounts ensures we can do this. To protect us both, we need to ensure that the information is accurate, up to date, and complete.

What has financial crime got to do with me?

Financial crime can affect anyone and everyone. Your support will go a long way to help us make banking safer.

Security has always been important. Why are you asking for more information now?

Constant changes in technology and the way companies do business has affected the whole banking industry and, in turn, how we protect it. Fraud and financial crime is becoming even more sophisticated and globally organised - so we have to be more vigilant than ever. We need you to help us stay one step ahead of financial crime by providing us with up-do-date information.

My everyday banking won't change. Will it?

No, it won't. Once you've updated your details, the work to protect your account happens behind-the-scenes at HSBC - so it won't change the way you bank.

I haven't been contacted. Will I be?

You will receive a letter only if we need you to get in touch. In the meantime, if you'd like to discuss HSBC Safeguard with our team you can contact our Customer Support 1300-88-1388 or for Amanah Customer Support 1300-80-2626. If you are a Premier customer, please call 1300-88-9393.

Why do I have to provide all these documents?

To understand the daily activity on your account, our global systems need your most recent information. This will help us deter any potential risks of fraud and financial crime.

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).

I have a business account and a personal account with HSBC. Why have I just been contacted about one of them?

We are reviewing all HSBC accounts. To keep any inconvenience to a minimum we'll share the information gathered with other areas of the bank in Malaysia to reduce the number of times you may be contacted.

I'm a customer of HSBC in more than one country. Will I still have to provide the same information to you in more than one country?

Laws and regulations vary from country to country, which is why you may have been contacted more than once for the same information. We apologise for any inconvenience but it's important you respond to each request that you have received. To avoid confusion we've kept the information as consistent as possible within the constraints of local regulation.

Do I need to visit my local branch?

No, not unless you have been specifically asked to. By now you may have received a letter from us, which will explain your next steps. If you are still unsure, you can contact our Customer Support 1300-88-1388 or for Amanah Customer Support 1300-80-2626. If you are a Premier customer, please call 1300-88-9393.

What happens if I don't provide the information?

Ultimately, if we don't receive your up-to-date information we may not be able to provide you with all of our services. We need to ensure you're fully protected from financial fraud and crime - if we don't have the right information, we can't do this.

As soon as we receive your information, we'll update our records - so you won't be contacted again

When do I have to provide the information by?

We'll send you reminders and give you sufficient time to provide the information. If you're having trouble gathering information please do let us know as soon as possible so we can help wherever we can. It may, for example, be possible for us to rely on alternative documents in your possession. If you think you may need more time or have any further questions, get in touch with our Customer Support 1300-88-1388 or for Amanah Customer Support 1300-80-2626. If you are a Premier customer, please call 1300-88-9393.

Why do you need to share customer data across the HSBC Group?

As more and more of our customers live, travel and trade internationally, we're always looking for better ways to help you bank safely - wherever you are in the world. Our global systems and processes work by sharing data and customer information across borders to prevent financial crime. You may only bank in one country but we have a commitment to protect your account globally. Therefore we need to share customer data across all parts of HSBC Group.

What will you be doing with the data? How will it be stored and protected?

We'll use this information to protect you, and ourselves, from financial crime. We take our obligation to protect your data very seriously. All the information you provide will be subject to HSBC Group's data and security standards to ensure its protection. We'd like to reassure you that your information will only be used for your protection and won't be passed to any third parties for marketing purposes.

I'm a Malaysian customer, what can I show for identification?
Make sure your document is the original
  • Your full passport / MyKad
  • Your driving licence
For minors :
  • Copy of birth certificate / MyKid (under 12 years old)
  • Proof of address is required (12 - 18 years old)
I'm a Malaysian customer, what can I show for proof of address?
If your current address differs from that as stated in your MyKad, you should provide ONE document from this list. Make sure your document is both recent and certified
  1. Utility, rates or tax bills
  2. Bank, credit card or insurance, share statements
  3. Management fee bills
  4. Letters issued by government or other public bodies
  5. Correspondence received from banks, insurance companies or professional bodies
  6. Mobile phone or ASTRO statements
  7. Rental/tenancy agreements showing the address of the customer and having the customer as one of the contracting parties which have been duly stamped by Inland Revenue Department
  8. ID card or driving licence (with the customer's photo on it), which shows the customer's address in the home country (permanent address proof only)
  9. A letter from a recognised university or college that confirms residence at a stated address
  10. A letter from the employer together with satisfactory proof of employment and that confirms residence at a stated address
  11. A lawyer's confirmation of property purchase, or legal document recognising title to property
  12. A letter from an immediate family member at which the individual resides confirming that the applicant lives at that address, setting out the relationship between the applicant and the family member, together with evidence that the immediate family member resides at the same address (for persons such as students and housewives who are unable to provide proof of address of their own name)
  13. An acknowledgement of receipt duly signed by the customer in response to a letter to the address provided by the customer
  14. Where a customer's address is a temporary accommodation and where normal address verification documents are not available e.g. a copy of contract of employment or bank's or employer's written confirmation
How do I get my documents certified?
First of all, you'll need to ask a professional from the following list to certify your documents;
  • Public Service and Government
  • Councilor (local or state)
  • Civil Servant - Permanent
  • Justice of the Peace
  • Local Government Officer
  • Member of the Judiciary
  • Member of the Parliament
  • Police Officer
Next, ask your chosen certifier to write this on the document they are certifying:
  1. For your documents that contain a photo:
    I [full name of certifier] confirm that this is an accurate copy of the original and the photo is a true likeness of the person concerned.
  2. For your documents that don't contain a photo:
    I [full name of certifier] confirm this is an accurate copy of the original.
They should also state:
  • Their signature and full name, printed on the document
  • Their occupation, company (or professional) address and phone number
  • Their professional registration number (if they have one)
  • The date of certification
I live overseas, what information do I need to provide?
The information can vary depending on where you live. We'll advise exactly what you'll need to provide. Here's an overview:
Your Proof Of Identity
Provide one (1) of the documents below and make sure it's both current and certified copy (not the original).
  • Your current passport or travel document (copies of passports should include all pages that contain signatures, the passport number and any extension dates where applicable)
  • Your current National Identity Card
Your Proof Of Address
Provide one (1) of the documents below and make sure it's both recent and certified.
  • Your valid overseas driving licence (original)
  • A utility bill (dated within the last four months)
  • A non-HSBC Group Bank statement. It needs to be dated within the last four months.
I'm an overseas customer, who can certify my documents?
You'll need to contact one of the following:
Read below to find out what your chosen certifier needs to do.
As an overseas customer, how do I certify my documents?

Your chosen certifier should photocopy the original documents and include the following shown below.

On your documents that show a photo:

I [full name of certifier] confirm that this is an accurate copy of the original and the photo is a true likeness of the person concerned.

They should also state:

  • Their signature and full name, printed on the document
  • Their occupation, company (or professional) address and phone number
  • Their professional registration number (if they have one)
Where can I download a full version of the FAQs?

Right here. Just click to download.


One step at a time

You will have received a letter if we need you to get in touch.

When to call us

If you've been asked to call us, our Customer Services team will be happy to help. They will advise you if you need to provide some information and explain what you need to do next.


HSBC customers
Local 1300-88-1388
International +603-8321-5400
Operation hours: 7:30am - 9:30pm

HSBC Amanah customers
Local 1300-80-2626
International +603-8321-5200
Operation hours: 7:30am - 9:30pm

HSBC Premier & Amanah Premier
Local 1300-88-9393
International +603-8321-5208
Operation hours: 24 hours

When to go into your local branch

It's unlikely that you will need to go into a branch. But if you're requested, they will talk you through HSBC Safeguard and explain what your next steps are.

Find nearest branch >