credit card debt

[jennimarsh]

Hi there

I'm a journalist working for SCMP researching an article about credit card debt in Hong Kong and how the consumer culture encourages people to take on more debt than they can afford.

I'm looking to speak with a few people who have had negatives experiences with debt in Hong Kong. Obviously, it's a sensitive issue and any interview would be handled with care and could be totally anonymous.

Please respond here or PM me if you'd like to chat.

Best wishes

Jenni Marsh
[email protected]

[wtbhotia]

Not sure about other banks but HSBC keeps sending me letter telling me I have pre-approved a certain amount of money that I can borrow, then I get another letter that I can borrow the left over limit from my Gold card, then I get another letter saying I can borrow the limit from my visa card. All this and I already have a car finance loan from them so basically they are trying to get me to be a slave for them.

Constant letters about 0% interest loans but pay admin fee, isnt that the same??? WTF

[HowardCoombs]

Not sure about other banks but HSBC keeps sending me letter telling me...

I get DBS and HSBC letters but the most annoying is StandardChartered. I have a mortgage with them so they have my cell number. I get at least 1 call per week telling me that I have a preapproved loan. I've lost count how many times I told them "no"...

[shri]

You're on the wrong site.

If you were to believe the regulars here, none of us use the "credit" aspect of the card and pay our bills in gold ingots 2 weeks before it is due.

[Claire ex-ax]

shri, we do have the odd debtor pass by this site, usually asking for advice as they head to the airport...

And Howard, agree on Standard Chartered. Phone calls and mail, which I refer to as begging letters.

[MovingIn07]

My colleague had the letter from HSBC offering a guaranteed loan with no collateral and no questions asked. When he applied they asked lots of questions, wanted collateral and ended up not giving it to him. Bunch of liars.

[shri]

shri, we do have the odd debtor pass by this site, usually asking for advice as they head to the airport...

And Howard, agree on Standard Chartered. Phone calls and mail, which I refer to as begging letters.

Yes, but that is like 4 hours before they get on the airport express...

[chingleutsch]

My basic, boring BoC Visacard had a 36K limit a couple of years back when I was working a salaried job. Earlier this year they upped my limit to 80K, unasked. The irony being that my "salary" is now just bed&board in a full time voluntary position!

[jennimarsh]

Thanks for the replies - I'm interested to hear how easy credit was to obtain.

Did any of you take advantage of this credit? I'm really hoping to find someone who found the ease at which to get credit Hong Kong encouraged them to spend beyond their budget/means.

Thanks

Jenni

[Raccon]

My colleague had the letter from HSBC offering a guaranteed loan with no collateral and no questions asked. When he applied they asked lots of questions, wanted collateral and ended up not giving it to him. Bunch of liars.

Very true, it's just bait. Made the same experience with a credit card offer.