Martin Lewis, the founder of Money Saving Expert, has shared a simple yet effective tip to help people avoid falling victim to bank scams. By dialling just three digits—159—consumers can be connected directly to their bank through a secure and legitimate line, bypassing potential fraudsters.
The 159 service, launched in September 2021 by Stop Scams UK and the Global Cyber Alliance, is designed to provide a safe route for customers to contact their banks. Lewis emphasised that this number is particularly useful if someone receives an unexpected call claiming to be from their bank. He advised: “Just politely say, ‘I’m going to call you back through your switchboard’ and then dial 159.”
Lewis also addressed concerns about phone line spoofing, where scammers keep the line open after a call ends. He recommended waiting before calling back, using a different phone, or calling a friend first to ensure the line is not compromised. However, he noted that scammers are more likely to spoof a bank’s number than the 159 service, which asks which bank you wish to contact.
The service currently covers 21 banking and building society brands, representing 99% of the UK market. Lewis urged smaller banks to join the initiative to achieve full coverage. The full list of participating banks is available online.
