If something isn't right, your HSBC Security Device will tell you. Click on the tabs below to read the key messages and discover what you need to do.

Yellow Button

  • This button is used after creating a new PIN
  • The yellow button is also used to generate a transaction code for authorizing new payments

Green Button

  • Press and hold for 2 seconds to turn on the device
  • Press once to delete one character
  • Press and hold to clear all input
  • After you've entered your PIN, press here to generate a log on security code

Button 3

  • Press once to generate a reauthentication security code to perform transactions.

Step 1

You will see this image when setting up the PIN for the first time if the two entries do not match.

Step 2

Press the yellow button to return to the PIN setup and repeat the steps to set up a PIN.

The new PIN you have entered is not safe and could be guessed. Please enter another PIN.

Your PIN can be made up of any numbers as long as they don't follow a logical or sequential pattern, for example 123456 or 11111.

If you enter an incorrect PIN, you will see the message 'FAIL 1'. Press the green button to enter your PIN again.

You will have three attempts to enter your PIN correctly.

Your HSBC Security Device will remember the number of failed attempts you have made.

After the third incorrect attempt ('FAIL 3'), the HSBC Security Device will become locked.

Please select the Lock PIN tab to find out more.

If your HSBC Security Device is locked, it will display a seven digit code on screen whenever it is turned on.

To continue using Personal Internet Banking you will need to reset your PIN online.

To do this, start logging on to Personal Internet Banking and enter your username.

At the next screen, click the 'Forgotten your HSBC Security Device PIN'. Follow the on screen instructions and you will be given a PIN Reset Code.

Once you have the code, press the green button lightly and quickly - but do not hold it down. You will then be prompted to input the code.

If you enter an incorrect 'PIN reset code', a 'FAIL 1' message will be displayed.

You will then be prompted to input your PIN for the second time. For your protection the HSBC Security Device will lock after three incorrect PIN entries.

Once your HSBC Security Device is locked, it will display a 7 digit unlock code. Please select the "Forgot your Security Device PIN?" link on the Personal Internet Banking logon page, and after verifying your Security Question, enter the unlock code into the on screen box and click "Continue". Your web browser will then display a PIN reset code. Enter the PIN reset code into your HSBC Security Device to unlock your device.

This messages indicates that a button is being pressed and held for too long

If you press and hold a button for more than 7 seconds, the device will switch off to preserve battery life.

This is the low battery message.

After its first appearance, the BATT message is displayed for two seconds each time the device is switched on. After two seconds the device works as normal.

BATT 2: 2 months remaining
BATT 1: 1 months remaining
BATT 0: replacement needed

Please contact HSBC Customer Service to order a replacement HSBC Security Device at
1-800-975-4722 for Premier customers and
1-800-975-4722 for Personal Banking customers.

The HSBC Security Device does not have an off button. After 30 seconds of inactivity, the device will automatically switch off.

Can't see your message in the tabs above?

Scroll down the complete list of HSBC Security Device messages below.