It at the moment covers 21 banking and constructing society manufacturers, 99% of the UK market.
Financial institution prospects have been urged to do one factor to keep away from being scammed (Picture: Getty)
Martin Lewis has urged financial institution prospects to dial a easy three-digit code. The cash-saving professional hopes to lift consciousness of the quantity to try to scale back the variety of individuals getting scammed.
He shared a video on X (previously Twitter) in Could, explaining the quantity – 159. If you’re on the cellphone with somebody claiming to be your financial institution however you’re anxious it could be fraudulent, you may dial the quantity to be put by to the true financial institution with out problem. Lewis stated: “If you happen to get a name out of your financial institution, you’re unsure it’s actually them, they’re asking for private particulars, you’re a little bit bit anxious. Simply say ‘I’m going to name you again by way of your switchboard, (dangle up) and dial 159. That is executed as an anti-scam and anti-fraud initiative with the intention to at all times get by to a reputable quantity with out having to look it up. Simply keep in mind 159.”
The quantity can join you to the real customer support of your financial institution (Picture: Getty)
While you name the quantity, an operator will ask which financial institution you wish to communicate to after which join you to their reputable switchboard. The service is run by StopScamsUK, and banks signal as much as be included.
It at the moment covers 21 banking and constructing society manufacturers, 99% of the UK market, together with Financial institution of Scotland, Barclays, HSBC, Halifax, Lloyds, Monzo, Nationwide, Natwest, Revolut, and Santander.
Not like many long-form numbers, 159 can’t be spoofed or impersonated, so scammers can not use it to name you again and impersonate your financial institution once more.
Greater than 800,000 calls have been made to the quantity since its inception. It might probably additionally join you to some phone corporations, together with BT, O2, Sky, Three, Vodafone, TalkTalk and Virgin.
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The road was launched by StopScamsUK in 2021 as “a memorable, easy method to join UK banking prospects safely and securely with their financial institution”.
They are saying it breaks the rip-off ‘journey’ on the vital second when you’re at most threat of being manipulated into making a fee.
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