Lloyds, Nationwide and NatWest customers urged to call 3-digit number
Millions of people have used a little-known code to avoid falling for tricks set up by cybercriminals and risk losing their hard-earned money. As Martin Lewis’s MoneySavingExpert (MSE) team recently highlighted, people have been asked to remember three numbers to enter into their phone if they feel they are being targeted by someone claiming to be their bank.
Suspicious searches can take many forms. There have been cases of fraudsters pretending to be from fraud departments; so don’t always assume that a call that appears to be coming from ‘your bank’ is legitimate; If you are unsure, hang up and call 159 instead.
The MSE team said: “There is a safe and easy helpline that can help you check if a suspicious call is real. The number is 159 and is operated by Stop Scams UK.
“If you receive a call from ‘your bank’ that you think doesn’t sound right, hang up immediately and call 159. You will be connected directly to your bank, so your bank can inform you whether the call is real or not.”
What is 159 and is it free to use?
Stop Scams UK claims that the 159 line “works in the same way as 101 for the police or 111 for the NHS”. It was launched in 2021 to help UK banking customers connect safely and securely with their banks if they receive an unexpected or suspicious call.
website He added: “This is the number you can trust to get you to your bank safely and securely every time. So if you think someone is trying to trick you into handing over your money or personal information, stop, hang up and call 159 to speak to your bank directly.”
The cost of calling 159 will vary depending on your phone provider. In most cases this will be the same as a national rate call but check with your provider for details. If your mobile phone or landline plan includes calling minutes, 159 calls will usually be deducted from this allowance.
Which banks can be reached via the 159 service?
The full list of real banking brands you can reach by calling 159 as of June 2026 includes:
