Martin Lewis has urged bank customers to dial a simple three-digit code. The money-saving expert is hoping to spread awareness of the number to try and reduce the number of people getting scammed.
He shared a video on X (formerly Twitter) explaining the number – 159. If you are on the phone to someone claiming to be your bank but you’re worried it may be fraudulent, you can dial the number to be put through to the real bank without hassle. Lewis said: “If you get a call from your bank, you’re not sure it’s really them, they’re asking for personal details, you’re a little bit worried. Just say ‘I’m going to call you back via your switchboard, (hang up) and dial 159.”
“This is done as an anti-scam and anti-fraud initiative so that you can always get through to a legitimate number without having to look it up. Just remember 159.”
When you call the number, an operator will ask what bank you would like to speak to and then put you through to their legitimate switchboard. The service is run by StopScamsUK and banks sign up to be included.
It currently covers 21 banking and building society brands, 99% of the UK market, including Bank of Scotland, Barclays, HSBC, Halifax, Lloyds, Monzo, Nationwide, Natwest, Revolut, and Santander.
Unlike many long-form numbers, 159 cannot be spoofed or impersonated, so scammers cannot use it to call you back and impersonate your bank again.
More than 800,000 calls have been made to the number since it’s inception. It can also connect you to some telephone companies, including BT, O2, Sky, Three, Vodafone, TalkTalk and Virgin.
The line was launched by StopScamsUK in 2021 as “a memorable simple way to connect UK banking customers safely and securely with their bank”. They say it breaks the scam ‘journey’ at the critical moment when you are at most risk of being manipulated into making a payment.
