Martin Lewis issues warning to bank account holders on three-digit phone number

26 September 2023 , 14:26

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The money saving expert has reminded people what to do if they think a scammer has called them (Image: Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

We've all had to grapple with a scam call in our lives, and as technology becomes more advances, so do the criminals.

Constantly crafting new ways to lure you in without you realising, it's vital to remain vigilant when taking calls from unknown numbers or reading emails. But if you do unfortunately end up taking a call from a scammer, there's an important step to take right away.

Money saving guru Martin Lewis has shared a quick tip to always remember when you take a suspicious call. Hailed for his expert advice, he's keeping his fans in the know with the latest tip on his Twitter page.

Lewis is urging anyone who suspects they've been scammed to call the number 159 straight away. He tells people to remember the number - which is free to call, and can help tell if it was a scam or not. The number has "been around for a while" but he's making sure people are brushed up on their knowledge and remind them it's there.

In a post to X - formerly known as Twitter, he explained: "If you need call your bank urgently (e.g. it's just called you, and you've hung up as it may be a scam) and can't remember its number, just call 159 and it'll put you through," and then further added: "PS if you have had poss scam call, use a different line to call back (or wait an hour) in case they're spoofing a dial tone."

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Ofcom reports that in 2021, over 45 million people were targeted by scam calls and texts in just three months, as scams get suspiciously more realistic every year.

According to Stop Scam, "159 works in the same way as 101 for the police or 111 for the NHS. It's the number you can trust to get you through to your bank safely and securely, every time. So if you think someone is trying to trick you into handing over money or personal details - stop, hang up and call 159 to speak directly to your bank.

"This breaks the scam 'journey' at the critical moment when you are at most risk of being manipulated into making a payment. So, even if scammers can make contact with you, that link will be broken by your call to 159, before any information is shared, any payment is made, and any harm is done."

Major banking companies who currently use the 159 dialling code are Barclays, NatWest and Metro Bank, but a full list can be found on Stop Scams UK's website.

Niamh Kirk