Overview

• Dialling 159 reaches an operator who connects callers to their bank’s official switchboard to verify any contact.
• The service covers 21 banking and building society brands representing about 99% of the UK market, including major high-street banks and digital providers such as Monzo and Revolut.
• StopScamsUK and media reports say the three-digit code cannot be spoofed by fraudsters, reducing the risk from fake caller IDs.
• Launched in 2021, the hotline has handled more than 800,000 calls and can also route to telecom providers including BT, O2, Sky, Three, Vodafone, TalkTalk and Virgin.
• Ofcom reminds consumers it will never call out of the blue to request personal or financial details, noting recent impersonation tactics.