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Security Device

Getting a Digital Security Device

With a Digital Security Device activated and Face / Fingerprint ID enabled on the HSBC Canada app, you can log on securely and get your banking done – with no interruptions.

To set up your security device, make sure you complete all four steps:

  1. Download the HSBC Canada app
  2. Register for digital banking
  3. Activate the Digital Security Device
  4. Enable Face / Fingerprint ID

Logging on to digital banking

Log on with Face / Fingerprint ID or your Digital Security Device password

Always log on with Face / Fingerprint ID or your Digital Security Device password for fast, secure access to your accounts and all transaction types.

In the app:

  1. Launch the app.
  2. Enter your username.
  3. Scan your face or fingerprint, or enter your Digital Security Device password, and continue.
     

In Online Banking:

  1. Open a browser, go to hsbc.ca and select “Log on to HSBC Online Banking”.
  2. Enter your username.
  3. On your phone or tablet, open the HSBC Canada app.
  4. Select “Generate security code”.
  5. Select “Log on security code”.
  6. Scan your face or fingerprint, or enter your Digital Security Device password and generate a security code.
  7. Enter the code into Online Banking in your browser.

Tips!

  • Your Digital Security Device password is different from your Online Banking password.
  • Getting an error message in Online Banking? If you enter an incorrect Digital Security Device password, you’ll generate an invalid security code.
  • Enhance your security and use Face / Fingerprint ID instead of a password – enable biometric ID

Log on with your Online Banking password

If you log on to Digital Banking with your Online Banking password instead of your face / fingerprint or Digital Security Device password, your banking session will be interrupted:

  • You’ll go through extra security steps – you may have to enter your birthdate or verify your browser.
  • You’ll be asked to generate a security code before adding certain payees (e.g. INTERAC contacts, wire, etc.), updating your phone or email, etc..
     

If you haven’t already, activate a Digital Security Device and enable Face / Fingerprint ID right away.
 

Logging on to the app:

  1. Open the app.
  2. Enter your username.
  3. Enter your Online Banking password.

 

Logging on to Online Banking:

  1. On hsbc.ca, select “Log on to HSBC Online Banking”.
  2. Enter your username.
  3. Enter your Online Banking password.

Generating codes with your Digital Security Device (DSD)

Generate a Log on security code

Follow these steps to generate a Log on security code in the app (don’t log on). You’ll then enter the code in your browser Online Banking session.

  1. On hsbc.ca, go to “Log on to HSBC Canada Online Banking”.
  2. Enter your username.
  3. On your phone or tablet, launch the HSBC Canada app (don’t log on).
  4. Select “Generate security code”.
  5. Select “Log on security code”.
  6. Scan your face / fingerprint or enter your Digital Security Device (DSD) password.
  7. In the browser, enter the security code you just generated in the app.
     

Tip!

Getting an error message in Online Banking? You may have entered an incorrect Digital Security Device password into the app.

Generate a Transaction security code

You can add certain types of new payees (like INTERAC e-Transfer contact,  credit card or wire transfer payees) in Online Banking. To authorize your new payees, you’ll be asked to generate a transaction code in the app.  

Follow these steps to generate this transaction code in the app (don’t log on). You’ll then enter the code in your browser Online Banking session:

  1. Launch the HSBC Canada app (don’t log on).
  2. Select ‘Transaction security code’.
  3. Follow the instructions in the browser banking session. You’ll be entering part of your payee’s account     number to generate the transaction code in the app. It’s a one-time code which is valid for 30 seconds.

Generate a Re-authentication security code

To change your Online Banking password or your security question in Online Banking, you will need to generate a Re-authentication security code.

Follow these steps to generate this code in the app (don’t log on). You’ll then enter the code into your Online Banking session in hsbc.ca. Follow these steps:

  1. Launch the HSBC Canada app (don’t log on).
  2. Select “Generate security code”.
  3. Select “Re-authentication security code”.
  4. Follow the instructions in the app to generate the code – it will be valid for 30 seconds.
  5. Enter the code into your banking session on hsbc.ca

Resetting forgotten digital banking passwords or security question

Forgotten username

If you’ve forgotten your username, please call us at 1-877-621-8811.

Reset your forgotten Digital Security Device password

  1. Open the HSBC Canada Mobile Banking app.
  2. Enter your username.
  3. Select “Forgot your Digital Security Device password?”.
  4. Answer your security question and continue. If you can’t remember the answer, call us at 1-877-621-8811.
  5. Select a way to receive your Password reset number and select “Send number”.
  6. Enter the reset number and continue.
  7. Create and confirm your new Digital Security Device password.
     

Tip!

Your new password cannot be the same as your old Digital Security Device password, your Online Banking password or your username.

Reset your forgotten Online Banking password

If you have an activated Security Device

Reset your Online Banking password on hsbc.ca:

  1. Select “Log on to HSBC Online Banking”.
  2. Enter your username.
  3. Select “Forgotten password?”.
  4. Enter the answer to your security question and continue.
  5. Follow the instructions on screen to generate a code with your security device.
  6. Create and confirm your new password.
     

If you do not have an activated Security Device

Reset your Online Banking password on hsbc.ca:

  1. Select “Log on to HSBC Online Banking”.
  2. Enter your username.
  3. Select “Forgotten password?”
  4. Enter the answer to your security question and continue.
  5. You’ll be prompted to receive a one-time code by text or email.
  6. Enter the code.
  7. Create and confirm your new password, and submit it.

Can’t remember the answer to your security question? Please call us at 1-877-621-8811.

Switching phones and Digital Security Devices

Switching your Digital Security Device to a new phone

If you have both your old and new phone:

  1. On your new phone, go to the App Store or Google Play and download the HSBC Canada app.
  2. Enter your username and Online Banking password.
  3. You should now be prompted to switch your Digital Security Device over to your new phone. Follow the     instructions on screen.
  4. In your old phone, open the app.
  5. Select “Generate security code”, as instructed on screen.
  6. Enter the code into your new phone and confirm you are switching your Digital Security Device over.
  7. Create and confirm a new Digital Security Device password.
  8. Log on with your username and new Digital Security Device password.
  9. You should now be prompted to enable Face / Fingerprint ID. If not, go to the Profile icon (top right) >     Security and follow the instructions on screen.

If you have done a ‘factory reset’ on your phone OR if you do not have your old phone, please call us at 1-877-621-8811.

Physical Security Device

Why should I switch from a Physical to a Digital Security Device?

The Digital Security Device is part of the HSBC Canada app, so you can log on securely and do your banking in the app. Plus, if you enable Face / Fingerprint ID, you won’t even need to enter a password – just scan your face or fingerprint. No need to figure out where your physical device is, no need to punch numbers into the device.

Switch from a Physical to a Digital Security Device

  1. Download the HSBC Canada app and then open it.
  2. Enter your username.
  3. You should now be prompted to switch to a Digital Security Device. If not, select the Profile icon (top right)     > Security > Activate.
  4. Follow the instructions in-app to generate a security code using your physical device.
  5. Enter the code into the app and confirm you are switching over to a Digital Security Device.
  6. Create and confirm your new Digital Security Device password.
  7. Select “Complete activation”.
  8. Log on to the app with your username and your newly created Digital Security Device password.
  9. You should now be prompted to enable Face / Fingerprint ID. If not, go to the Profile icon (top right) >     Security and follow the instructions on screen.

Log on with your Physical Security Device

Using the app:

  1. Open the app.
  2. Enter your username.
  3. Use your Physical Security Device to generate a log on code, enter it into the app and continue.
     

Using Online Banking:

  1. On hsbc.ca, go to “Log on to HSBC Online Banking”
  2. Enter your username and continue.
  3. If you see a prompt for a password, select the link ‘Use security code’.
  4. Use your Physical Security Device to generate a log on code, enter it into your banking session and     continue.

More information about the Physical Security Device

More questions about the Physical Security Device? See the Getting started and Troubleshooting guides.

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