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Debit Card

Frequently asked questions (FAQ).

Debit Card / ATM Card Activation

Step 1 – Prepare PIN

If your already received Phone Banking PIN when account opening:

You will receive your ATM card PIN within 7 working days.

If you haven’t received Phone Banking PIN when account opening:

You will receive your ATM card PIN and Phone Banking PIN within 7 working days.

Step 2 – Activate Card

Please call (02) 6616-6000

Press 2 for English Service, then press #. Press 2 for Banking Service, then press 0.

Our customer service representative will assist you for card activation.

Step 3 – Change PIN

After card activation, please bring your ATM card PIN with you and change your PIN.

  • Domestic use – Chip PIN (6~12 digits): Please change the Chip PIN using an HSBC or other bank’s ATM machine after your card is activated
  • Overseas use – Magnetic Strip PIN (4 digits): Please change the Magnetic Strip PIN using an HSBC ATM machine after your card is activated

Debit Card FAQ

Q01. What is the difference between a Visa Debit card and an ATM card?

HSBC Visa Debit cards (hereafter called “Visa Debit card”) are offered to integrated account customers. The Visa Debit card not only has all the feature of an ATM card but can also be used for purchases at merchant establishments. It is more convenient than ATM cards because you don’t have to withdraw cash from an ATM first. Purchases you make with the Visa Debit card will be deducted directly from your account. The transaction will not be completed if the amount exceeds your account’s remaining balance.

Q02. What is the difference between a Visa Debit card and a credit card?

The Visa Debit card is connected to your bank account; you can spend the available balance in your account, but you may not exceed the available balance in your account, utilize the overdraft facility, or be subject to revolving interest on your payments, helping you to manage and control your expenditures.

Q03. Where and how can the HSBC Visa Debit card be used?

You can use the Visa Debit card at all ATMs in Taiwan to withdraw cash (in TWD), make payments, make transfers and check the balance of your TWD saving account. You can also use it to make payments by signing the receipt at any overseas merchant that accepts Visa credit card. You also can use Visa Debit card at overseas ATM displaying the Visa / Plus logo to withdraw local currency.

Q04. Is there an annual fee for using the Visa Debit card?

No, there is no annual fee for the Visa Debit card.

Q05. Can the Visa Debit card be used overseas?

Yes, the Visa Debit card can be used to make purchases at any merchant around the world displaying the Visa logo.

Q06. How do I use the Visa Debit card to make payments?

When you wish to use the Visa Debit card to make a payment in Taiwan or overseas, present the Visa Debit card to be swiped, Once the transaction is approved, confirm by signing the receipt as requested by the merchant. (Please retain your receipt for future reference) After making a payment with your card, the amount will be held and deducted from your account when the merchant requests payment from the bank.

Q07. Can the Visa Debit card be used for online shopping, TV shopping, telephone shopping and mail orders?

Yes. Once the Visa Debit card is activated, it can be used for online shopping, TV shopping, Telephone shopping and mail orders.

Q08. Is there a transaction limit on the Visa Debit card? How to adjust the limit?

You may make purchases with the Visa Debit card as long as you have sufficient funds in your account. To protect the customer, however by default a daily limit of NT$50,000 has been set by HSBC. This daily limit can be adjusted if necessary. Please download the “Visa Debit Card Service Request Form” from the HSBC website and sent the completed application form to “HSBC Taipei P.O. Box 167-2617” by mail, or call the service hotline to adjust the limit.

Q09. What should I do if I misplace my Visa Debit card?

If your Visa Debit card is accidentally misplaced, stolen or taken by a third party, you can call the HSBC service hotline at (02) 6616-6000 from anywhere in the world to report your card as missing.

Q10. How do I change the chip PIN and magnetic strip PIN for the Visa Debit Card?

Chip PIN: You may use ATMs that support chip functions at any HSBC branch or at any other bank to change the chip PIN.

Magnetic strip PIN: You may visit any HSBC branch, send back the completed application form for PIN changes or change the PIN via the ATMs at any HSBC branch. (You need to enter the chip PIN to reset the magnetic strip PIN at the ATMs of any HSBC branch.)

Q11. What should I do if I forget my Visa Debit card PIN or if the card is locked because entered the wrong PIN four times in a row?

Please take your Visa Debit card, personal identification and original chop in person to any HSBC branch in Taiwan to have the PIN reset or the card unlocked.

Q12. How do I apply for a replacement card if my Visa Debit card is damaged?

  1. Call the HSBC service hotline.
  2. Please download the “Visa Debit card Service Request Form” from the HSBC website and send the completed application form to “HSBC Taipei P.O. Box 167-2617” by mail.
  3. Please visit the HSBC branches nationwide and handover the damaged card, as well as the completed “Visa Debit Card Requested Form” to one of the customer service representatives.

Q13. Why haven’t I received a statement for my Visa Debit card?

For your convenience, details of your transactions for each month will be listed on your HSBC saving account e-statement.

Q14. Does HSBC Visa Debit card provide an SMS alert service message service for the notification of purchase?

HSBC Visa Debit card offers transaction alert service when you make a large transaction. You can define your banking account's transaction threshold amount; when a transaction (withdrawal, transfer or remittance) from your account is at or above your threshold, HSBC will notify you via SMS to verify the transaction. Please note that the threshold amount for transaction alert service will have to be the multiples of TWD 10,000 (minimum is TWD 10,000), and such service does not include your term deposit account settings. 
Your HSBC Visa Debit card transaction alert service will be automatically activated with the activation of your account's large transaction alert service. When your account has a foreign currency card transaction which is equivalent to TWD 3,000 and above, we will notify you via SMS to verify the transaction. On the other hand, if you deactivate your account's large transaction alert service, your Visa Debit card transaction alert service will also be automatically deactivated. In other words, you cannot apply or cancel your Visa Debit card transaction alert service alone.

Q15. May I still use my Visa Debit card once it is expired?

If the Visa Debit card has expired, but you have yet to receive a new card sent to you by HSBC to replace the old card, please enquire by calling the HSBC service hotline. Once the old card is expired, you may not use the Visa function on your card before obtaining the new one; however, you may still use all other ATM function of the card, such as cash withdrawals and fund transfers.

Q16. What is the difference between the chip PIN and the magnetic stripe PIN?

When you receive the Visa Debit card, you will also receive two sets of PINs. The 6-digit chip PIN can be used for transactions on local ATMs. The other is a 4-digit magnetic stripe PIN that can be used for international withdrawals on overseas ATMs or for any overseas merchant that uses a 4-digit PIN for confirming Visa card transactions.

Q17. When conducting a purchase transaction overseas, should I enter the chip PIN or the magnetic strip PIN when the store staff asks me to enter the PIN?

When conducting a purchase transaction overseas, please use the 4-digit magnetic strip PIN.

Q18. What should I do if the card is locked after entering the wrong magnetic strip PIN three times in a row?

If you enter the wrong magnetic strip PIN three times in a row when you use a non-HSBC ATMs or while making a purchase at one of the registered stores overseas, your Visa Debit card will not be withheld and confiscated, but your transaction will be repeatedly declined. Although you may enter the right magnetic strip PIN the fourth time, the non-HSBC ATM or the registered store still will not accept nor process your transaction. If such situation arises, you may reactivate your card by changing the magnetic strip PIN at any domestic HSBC branch. (You need to enter the chip PIN to reset the magnetic strip PIN at the ATMs of any HSBC branch.)

Q19. What  should I do if I forget my magnetic strip PIN?

Please take your Visa Debit card, personal identification and original chop in person to any of our branches in Taiwan to have the PIN reset or the card unlocked.

Q20. Does HSBC provide an SMS alert service for purchases made with the Visa Debit card? How do I subscribe to the service?

The SMS alert service is provided free for HSBC customers on purchases made over NT $3,000. If you are interested in subscribing to this service, please kindly enquire by calling the telephone customer service centre, download the completed SMS alert service application form from the HSBC website and send back the completed form or visit any HSBC branch nearby to apply for the service. Your application will be processed immediately upon receipt.

Everyday Global Visa Debit Card

Q01. What are the functions and the areas available for the HSBC Everyday Global Visa Debit Card?

Withdraw cash from any ATM with the Visa/PLUS logo in Taiwan and around the world. Make purchases directly at all merchants with the Visa logo in Taiwan and around the world. 
You can also use this card for cash withdrawals, remittances and purchases in all ATMs Taiwan.

Q02. What are the supported foreign currencies?

USD, CAD, EUR, GBP, JPY, HKD, SGD, AUD, NZD

Q03. Can I withdraw cash / purchase with non-supported currencies by using my HSBC Everyday Global Visa Debit Card?

Yes. You can withdraw cash from any ATM with the Visa/PLUS logo around the world and make purchases directly at all merchants with the Visa logo around the world. When the currency does not belong to one of the supported currencies, the Bank will deduct the amount from the available balance of the Customer’s New Taiwan Dollars demand deposit account. The exchange rate and transaction fee and other charged fee shall follow the General Agreement.

Q04. How do I pay for aboard purchase with my foreign currency deposit without overseas transaction fee?

If the currency is supported and the balance of deposit in the corresponding foreign currency demand deposit account is sufficient, the Customer authorizes the Bank to directly deduct the amount from the corresponding foreign currency demand deposit account without foreign exchange fees.

Q05. How do I withdraw cash overseas from my foreign currency deposit without internet service fee?

If the currency is supported and the balance of deposit in the corresponding foreign currency demand deposit account is sufficient, the Customer authorizes the Bank to directly deduct the amount from the corresponding foreign currency demand deposit account without foreign exchange fees.
Customers using HSBC Everyday Global Visa Debit Card to withdrawal from oversea Non-HSBC ATMs, the first 50 times in one month are free of charge. Service charge for each withdrawal since the 51th time is TWD 70. Also possible charge levied by other bank cannot be waived.

Q06. Under what kind of circumstances do I have to take on additional oversea transaction fees?

  1. If the currency is supported but the balance of deposit in the corresponding foreign currency demand deposit is insufficient.
  2. If the currency is not supported.
    The amount will be convert into New Taiwan Dollars and deducted from the New Taiwan Dollar balance. The Bank will charge an additional 1.5% of the amount as overseas transaction fee. This fee includes both the payment to credit card international organization (currently at 1% of each transaction amount) and an additional 0.5% of each transaction amount for each transaction.

Q07. Under what kind of circumstances do I have to take on internet service fee?

  1. If the currency is supported but the balance of deposit in the corresponding foreign currency demand deposit is insufficient.
  2. If the currency is not supported.
    The amount will be convert into New Taiwan Dollars and deducted from the New Taiwan Dollar balance. The Bank will charge an additional 1.5% of the amount as overseas transaction fee.

Q08. When the supported currency happens to be insufficient, can I still withdraw money or pay with my Everyday Global Visa Debit Card?

Yes. If the currency is supported but the balance of deposit in the corresponding foreign currency demand deposit is insufficient, the amount will be convert into New Taiwan Dollars and deducted from the New Taiwan Dollar balance.
When the corresponding foreign currency account has money but is insufficient for the whole settlement, the whole settlement will be convert into New Taiwan Dollars and deducted from the New Taiwan Dollar balance.

Q09. Can I use my HSBC Everyday Global Visa Debit Card if I am transacting Renminbi (RMB)?

Yes. The amount will be convert into New Taiwan Dollars and deducted from the New Taiwan Dollar balance. The exchange rate and transaction fee and other charged fee shall follow the General Agreement.

Q10. How do I exchange currencies and fund my account?

  1. Visit the branch
  2. Online Bank(Include Mobile Bank)
  3. Contact center

Q11. How do I open additional foreign currency accounts?

  1. Visit the branch
  2. Contact center

Q12. What are the daily purchase limits of my Everyday Global Visa Debit Card?

The daily limit per day for purchases is, or equivalent to NTD 50,000. You may change this limitation (Maximum is NTD 100,000) by downloading “Visa Debit Card Service Request Form” on our public website, visiting our branches or calling the Contact center.
The actual limitation will still refer to the account balance when purchasing.

Q13. What are the daily withdrawal limits of my Everyday Global Visa Debit Card?

The daily limit per day for cash withdrawal is, or equivalent to maximum NTD 200,000. You may change this limitation to lower by downloading “Visa Debit Card Service Request Form” on our public website, or visiting our branches.
The actual limitation will still refer to the account balance when withdrawing.

Listening to what you have to say about services matters to us. It's easy to share your ideas, stay informed and join the conversation. To improve the protection of customers' rights for the elderly or customers with special needs, the Bank provides relatives or friends to accompany them to participate in the communication to understand the product information, and provides enough time to consider whether to apply for related products. Please contact us via contact center (02)6616-6000 or email csr@hsbc.com.tw if any doubt/concern or further explanation is needed.