Instead, he picked up the device and whispered, “Show me the offshore accounts.”
Three days ago, the email had arrived. Not the usual HSBC font. It was a perfect forgery, but the link was wrong. He hadn’t clicked it. He’d called the bank immediately. “Your Secure Key is compromised, Mr. Phelps,” the agent had said, her voice flat, professional. “We’ve frozen online access. You’ll need to register a new one. In person.” hsbc register new secure key
“This is ridiculous,” he muttered, wiping sweat from his brow with the back of his other hand. His laptop, balanced precariously on a stack of phone books, displayed the dreaded red text: Secure Key not recognised. Please try again. Instead, he picked up the device and whispered,