How To Avoid Bank Scams with One Simple Number: 159 With Phonely
Written by George, on 13 Jun, 2025. Last updated 13 Jun, 2025
Avoiding Phone Scams Just Got Easier – Thanks to 159
Did you know UK victims lost over £1.1 billion to bank fraud last year alone? It’s a staggering figure, and one that keeps rising as phone scams and bank fraud grows more sophisticated. Whether it’s fake caller IDs or convincing scam scripts, it’s harder than ever to know who’s really on the other end of the line. And that’s exactly why the 159 phone number was launched.
It’s a direct, scam-safe way to speak to your bank. Just dial 159, state the name of your bank, and you’re instantly connected to your bank’s genuine line. And now, Phonely customers can use 159 right from their digital landline or digital voice handset.
What is the 159 phone number?
Launched by Stop Scams UK in partnership with the Global Cyber Alliance and endorsed by 21 major banks, the 159 phone number gives you a scam-safe hotline straight to your own bank. Think of it like 101 for the police or 111 for the NHS, but for fraud: dial 159 on your handset or mobile, and your call is routed directly to your bank’s genuine team. The full list of banks that can be reached via 159 are:
- Bank of Ireland UK
- Bank of Scotland
- Barclays
- Cater Allen
- Chase
- Co-operative Bank
- Danske Bank
- First Direct
- Halifax
- HSBC
- Lloyds
- Metro Bank
- Modulr
- Monzo
- Nationwide Building Society
- NatWest
- Revolut
- Royal Bank of Scotland
- Santander
- Spring
- Starling Bank
- Tide
- TSB
- Ulster Bank
- Virgin Money
- Zempler Bank
Calls to 159 are charged at the same national rate as any 01/02 number, so if you’ve got inclusive minutes, it simply comes out of your bundle. The service is also supported by all major telecoms providers (BT, Phonely, Sky, O2, Vodafone, TalkTalk and Virgin Media), so you can dial 159 from any landline or mobile with confidence.
How Phonely Keeps You Protected From Phone Scams
Every Phonely customer can dial 159 at any time to reach their bank’s real line without extra setup. But 159 is just the start of Phonely’s layered scam protection service. With Phonely’s CallGuard, you get access to our full suite a advanced features proven to reduce scam and nuisance calls. Some of the features include:
- Auto Call Blocking – all Phonely customers are protected by our global block list, which is updated hourly and powered by our Who Called Me? website. All numbers on this list are automatically blocked from calling customers.
- Trusted Person(s) nomination and app – optionally nominate a trusted person to help protect you from scams and fraud. Via their own app, they can listen back to calls and even join calls live should they need to.
- Call Transcription and Keyword Notifications (CallGuard+ Only) – Phonely has a database full of words commonly used by criminals to persuade you to part with your cash & data. Should one of these be mentioned, after your call has ended, your trusted person will be notified allowing them to take the necessary action.
For a deeper dive into all of our features, click here.
Scam Safety Tips For Everyone
It can be hard to spot a scammer on the line, but there are a few tell-tale signs to watch for. If you’re being pressured to act immediately or asked for PINs, passwords, or one-time codes, you’re likely dealing with fraudsters. Beware of withheld or international numbers – legitimate UK banks rarely call from hidden lines. And hang up on any automated scripts or overly polished robo-messages that ask you to “Press 1 to speak to an operator”.
The easiest way to know you’re talking to your real bank is to place the call yourself. Dialling the 159 bank number guarantees a direct connection to your bank’s genuine team, every time. Alternatively, look for calls coming from the helpline listed on your bank’s official website, or use pre-arranged call-backs where you’ve scheduled a specific time and number.
If you ever suspect a scam, end the call immediately, block the number on your handset, and turn on any call-screening features you have. Then report the incident to Action Fraud at 0300 123 2040 or via their website, and let your bank know you’ve been targeted. Finally, share the warning with friends and family (especially older or vulnerable loved ones) so they can steer clear of the same pitfalls.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which banks have signed up for 159?
The 159 service is backed by 21 of the UK’s leading banks (including Barclays, HSBC, Monzo, Starling and more). For the complete list, please see the “What Is the 159 Feature & Its Benefits” section above.
How much does it cost to dial 159?
Calling 159 is charged at the same national rate as any standard 01/02 number. If you have inclusive minutes, the call simply comes out of your bundle, there’s no premium surcharge or extra fee for using the service.
Can 159 be spoofed?
Technically, yes – a scammer could call you from the 159 number. However, 159 is an inbound only service, meaning they would never call you. So if you do receive a call from 159, you know it’s not the real deal, and you should simply hang up.
Whose number is 159?
159 isn’t assigned to a single bank or company – instead, it’s a UK-wide short code launched by Stop Scams UK in partnership with major banks and telecom providers. Dialling 159 connects you to the fraud-reporting team at whichever participating bank you choose, routing you securely to your own bank’s genuine helpline every time.
Final Thoughts
Scammers thrive on confusion and quick decisions, so by arming yourself with the simple 159 phone number and Phonely’s suite of security tools, you reclaim the upper hand. Whether you’re shielding vulnerable loved ones or just giving yourself extra peace of mind, dialling 159 ensures you always reach your real bank, on your terms.
Already a Phonely customer? Just pick up your phone and dial 159 to report fraud safely, anytime. Not with us yet? Let’s make your home phone smarter and safer.
