Consumer champion Martin Lewis is issuing an urgent warning to every person with a UK bank account, urging them to memorise a simple three-digit number that could save them from devastating financial scams.
The Essential Anti-Scam Tool You Need to Know
The MoneySavingExpert founder is highlighting the number 159 as a critical line of defence against sophisticated fraudsters. This initiative provides a secure and direct way for customers to confirm they are speaking to their genuine bank, especially if they receive a suspicious call.
If you are ever contacted by someone claiming to be from your bank and you feel worried, pressured, or asked for personal security details, the advice is simple: hang up immediately. Then, by dialling 159, you will be connected securely to your bank's official switchboard, bypassing any potential criminal on the original line.
Why the 159 Number is a Game-Changer
A key strength of this service is that the number is impossible for scammers to spoof. Unlike regular phone numbers, which criminals can manipulate to appear legitimate on your caller ID, the 159 connection is secure. This breaks the fraudster's manipulative cycle, preventing them from calling you back pretending to be the bank and regaining your trust.
The service is run by StopScamsUK, a coalition of major financial institutions. It currently covers the vast majority of the UK banking market, including 21 leading banks and building societies such as Barclays, HSBC, Lloyds, Monzo, and Santander.
A Proven Service Gaining Momentum
First launched in 2021, the 159 number was designed to be a simple, memorable, and safe verification method for customers. Its popularity and effectiveness are clear, with more than 800,000 calls already made to the service since its inception.
This tool represents a powerful step in the fight against financial fraud, putting a directly accessible and trustworthy resource into the hands of the public. Remembering and using 159 could be the single most important action you take to protect your money from criminals.
