Using the 159 helpline

If a call from your bank feels suspicious, just hang up and dial 159 to be connected safely to your bank’s fraud team.

The 159 helpline was launched in September 2021. The helpline is designed to help consumers quickly and safely reconnect with their bank when they receive a suspicious or unexpected call about a financial matter. 159 now works for over 99% of UK retail bank customers, providing an extra layer of protection against phone scams.

If you receive a call that feels off, hang up and dial 159. This short code cannot be spoofed or imitated, unlike many regular phone numbers. It connects you directly to your bank’s fraud team, helping you verify the legitimacy of any request before acting.

The memorable number, with the digits forming a diagonal on the keypad "159", has already been used over 800,000 times since its launch. It works with most major UK banks, including Bank of Scotland, Barclays, First Direct, Halifax, HSBC, Lloyds, NatWest, Royal Bank of Scotland, Santander, Monzo, Starling and Virgin Money.

There are ongoing plans to expand and enhance the service including a proposal for having Ofcom designate 159 as a mandatory “Type A” number, like 999 or 111.

If you receive a call purporting to be from your bank that is concerning, calling 159 is a fast, secure way to protect yourself and your finances.