How to ring banks back safely — 159 is amazing

Tariq F.
17 days ago

Just discovered the 159 service and have to share. It's a free UK short code (any landline or mobile) that connects you straight to your bank's fraud team without going through any caller-controlled menu and without you needing to know the bank's published number.

Launched in 2021 by Stop Scams UK + every major UK bank. Defeats both 'held line' and 'spoofed callback number' scams.

Memorise it. Tell your relatives. Single most useful number to know after 999.

2 replies

  1. Helen B.
    14 days ago

    Used 159 last week for a suspicious HSBC call — confirmed scam within 30 seconds. Saved me a lot of stress. Agreed: should be promoted more widely.

  2. WCL EditorialEditor
    13 days ago

    Worth noting it's free even on PAYG mobiles and works from any UK network including all the MVNOs (Giffgaff, Tesco Mobile, Sky Mobile, Lebara, etc.). Full member-bank list: https://stopscamsuk.org.uk/159

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