I was in need of a mortgage so I visited the HSBC Branch located at 1602 Kings Highway, Brooklyn, NY 11229. I met with mortgage consultant Mahmut Aydin. My experience with him was awful. This man is unprofessional and totally unfit to be a "Premier Mortgage Consultant". I, hereby, call upon HSBC's upper mangagement to terminate him.
Mahmut Aydin is a heavy cigarette chain smoker. I could smell the strong odor of cigarettes on his clothes and body. He's also a heavy coffee drinker so one can imagine what his breath smells like. I wanted to vomit. After entering the branch, I was directed by reception to sit and wait in his office. I waited 10 minutes until he finished his cigarette break and during this entire time he knew a potential client waiting for him. By placing his cigarette as priority over a customer's needs is deemed unprofessional and a terrible reflection on HSBC banking products.
While taking my application he stopped in the middle and went outside to have yet another cigarette break. This is quite disturbing and frustrating. When he returned he asked if I was Muslim to which I stated I was Jewish. Instead of continuing my application he picked up his Holy Koran and read some verses to me citing the religion of Islam is far superior to any other religion. This was very offensive to me, myself being Jewish, so I asked him to stop. I told him I'm here to apply for a mortage and not to be lectured on Muslim beliefs. I don't know why HSBC assigned him to this branch as the neighborhood is predominantly Jewish and Asian.
I don't think he likes Jewish people because for a third time he stopped my application and went for a cigarette break. I asked him to stop smoking and to finish my application. I'm a non smoker and wanted to leave as soon as I could. He became upset and slipped his coffee then blew his smelly breath in my face and stated, "I'm Middle Eastern and we all smoke". I responded, "Well, I am non smoker, please be considerate". At this point, I really had it with this man. I wanted to walk out and never come back.
Finally, my application was completed and I told him I decided not to use HSBC. I couldn't stand the thought of having to meet this man again. I told him I wanted to apply with another bank. He grew increasingly upset and in front of me he lit up a cigarette and started blowing the smoke in my face. I complained to the bank's manager but to no avail. The bank manager protected Mahmut Aydin by telling me he doesn't smoke at work. I asked the manager to accompany me to Mahmut's office and smell the cigarette smoke for himself but he refused to. I then left the branch and closed my two accounts at a different branch.
Two weeks later, I checked my credit reports and Mahmut had pulled my credit files (after I told him to shred my application) from all three credit reporting agencies. I had thought my application was voided and shredded but Mahmut kept my social security #. I think this was illegal. He did this purposely and vindictively to put a black mark on my credit reports. I was told by another bank that if there are too many bank inquires it definitely lowers my credit score. Surely, it did, I went from a FICO score of 810 to 780.
I do not recommend this unprofessional mortgage consultant to my worst enemy. People beware of this man and stay far away from him.