Stalled engine.

GM’s partnership with HSBC isn’t creditworthy.

med

ENABLER:
HSBC Card Correspondence
1441 Schilling Place
Salinas, CA 93912

OFFENDER(S)
TS (initials only displayed here; I am in possession of full names, called out in emails)

CHARGE
HSBC allows customers to sign up for their affiliate-branded GM Credit Card and email notifications, without confirming via an email loop that the customer has accurately provided, and/or the HSBC Inn CSR has accurately acquired, the customer’s proper and true email address.


DOSSIER
Towards the beginning of 2009, I started receiving email from HSBC, meant for their customer, TS. It appears that he used my email address as his sign up address, and HSBC doesn’t employ a confirmation loop, TS, who is a GM Card cardholder, is not getting these messages. He’s also not getting his payment messages, his “great offer” messages and more. I am.

I happen to be a member of one of HSBC’s other affiliate card programs, so when I called (see REHAB ATTEMPT below), they wanted my information to add to their case notes. I purposely refused to give them that as I didn’t want them to “accidentally” screw up MY file. They don’t need it anyway, but nothing has changed.

EVIDENCE
Note that the actual customer’s full name and the last four digits of their account number is included in the email.

example-hsbcgmcard

UNSUBSCRIBE VIA LINK?
No. You can update your “email preferences” if you sign in, but as I am not the intended recipient, I don’t have the customer’s login information. HSBC requires personal information to have the login information sent to the customer, so I was not able gain access to the account to disable it.

CAN-SPAM COMPLIANT?
NO [click for explanation]

REHAB ATTEMPT
I’ve called several time to try to rectify this situation, all to no avail. In each case, I’ve been unsuccessful in getting an HSBC CSR to understand the intricacies of the situation.

RESULT
No change

DEVELOPMENTS
As you read this, I have received no response at all from anyone at HSBC.

Lights out.

They say, “We’ll leave the light on for you.” Um, no.

med

ENABLER
Red Roof Inn, Inc. and RediCard Member Services
2071 N. Bechtle Ave. PMB 226
Springfield, OH 45504-9980

OFFENDER(S)
Unknown – the email message showed no other information than a first name.

CHARGE
Red Roof Inn allows customers to sign up for their RediCard charge card and email notifications, without confirming via an email loop that the customer has accurately provided, and/or the Red Roof Inn CSR has accurately acquired, the customer’s proper and true email address.


DOSSIER
Beginning on September 14, 2009, I started receiving email from Red Roof Inn. It appears that one of their customers used my email address as their sign up address, and Red Roof doesn’t employ a confirmation loop, their customer, who likely is a RediCard cardholder, is not getting these messages. They are not able to take advantage of any of the offers that Red Roof gives, ostensibly one of the reasons to use the RediCard in the first place

EVIDENCE
Note that only the actual customer’s first name is included in the email.

example-redroofredicard

UNSUBSCRIBE VIA LINK?
Yes, but that would only stop the symptom, not the problem.

CAN-SPAM COMPLIANT?
Yes [click for explanation]

REHAB ATTEMPT
I’ve forwarded the email to the email address noted on the actual advertisement with my standard response of their lack of use of confirmation loops and how to fix it.

RESULT
No change

DEVELOPMENTS
As you read this, I have received no response at all from anyone at Red Roof Inn or at their RediCard division.