March 2025


HAVE YOU HEARD OF THE 159 TELEPHONE NUMBER?

159 is the memorable, secure number that connects you directly to your bank if you think you're being scammed. 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, every time. 159 will never call you.

When to call 159

If someone claims to be from your bank

                If you receive a suspicious call about a financial matter

                If someone claiming to be an authority figure (such as the police) tells you to transfer money

How to call 159

1.     Stop and hang up

2.     Call 159 from a different device to the one you were contacted on (or wait 5 minutes to ensure the line has cleared).

3.     Follow the option menu to speak with your bank

 

What's behind 159?

159 is managed by Stop Scams UK, an anti-fraud coalition that includes many banks, telecoms firms, and technology companies.

 

What do calls to 159 cost?

The cost of calling 159 will vary according to your phone provider.  In many cases this will be the same as a national rate call. (Ask your provider for details).

 

The banks that can be reached via 159 are:

Bank of Scotland, Barclays, Chase, Co-operative Bank, First Direct, Halifax, Lloyds, Metro Bank, Modulr, Monzo, Nationwide Building Society, NatWest, Revolut, Royal Bank of Scotland, Santander, Starling Bank, Tide, TSB, Ulster Bank.

 

The telephone companies involved in 159 are:

BT (including EE and Plusnet), Gamma, O2 (including giffgaff), Sky, Three, Vodaphone, TalkTalk, Virgin Media.

 

What to be wary of

You should be wary of any calls, texts, or emails that ask for personal or financial details, or for you to transfer money. A genuine bank will never call you out of the blue to ask for your PIN or full password.

 

STOP, HANG UP, CALL 159

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.

 

Note: I was informed recently that a resident received a call from someone purporting to be from their bank (the caller didn’t give the name of the bank!) – querying amounts being paid from their account to Amazon and another company.  Fortunately, the resident was ‘on the ball’, ended the call and phoned her bank (who confirmed it was a scam). 

There are lots of variations on a theme – so be on your guard. Don’t be rushed or panic - stay calm and make appropriate checks.

 

ACQUISITIVE CRIMES AND DAMAGE REPORTED 14.1.25 – 14.2.25

(Excludes crimes of a domestic nature, neighbour / employment disputes, non-payment of goods, e.g. shop thefts)

Date

Time of Day

Crime

Location

Comments

15.1.25

1630 - 1700 hrs

Theft

Kighill Lane

Victim entered a store with his wallet in his possession.  On leaving the store he realised he no longer had the wallet.  He does not know if he dropped it or whether someone had taken it from his person.  The wallet contained a Driving Licence and a bank card.  The victim contacted his bank and froze the card.  The following morning he received notification that someone had tried to use the card

 

SCAMS (IN GENERAL) – A QUICK REMINDER:

When it comes to scams, please remember your A, B, C and D .......

Accept nothing, Believe no one, Confirm everything and Don’t click on links in texts or emails to log on, or to ‘resolve issues’ etc.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Sue Harris

For further advice please visit our website: www.ravensheadneighbourhoodwatch.co.uk.

To contact RNW email us at rnwinfo@yahoo.co.uk or leave a message for us on 07583 296 466