Martin Lewis tells people to call 159 if a scammer calls

Martin Lewis has always offered sage money advice, now he is helping to stop scammers.

The money-saving expert has revealed a fool-proof way to stop people from getting your bank details during suspicious phone calls.

Instead of waiting in a queue, he’s advised the public to call 159 to speak to their banks when it matters most.

If you’ve never heard of this number, you won’t be alone.

The 159 service was only established in 2021, with the phone line being a quick way for customers to confirm whether they are being scammed.

Getty/Dave J Hogan / Contributor

Branding itself as 111 for fraud – the service can be used by anyone who is concerned about scams and users can quickly connect with their bank for impartial advice.

Taking to Twitter, Lewis explained the service to his followers and how the three-digit phone number could save them from being the victim of fraud.

In a tweet, he wrote: “If you need call your bank urgently (eg its just called you, and you've hung up as it may be a scam) and can't remember its number, just call 159 and it'll put you through.”

As always though, the TV personality had some extra advice about using the phone service – especially if you've literally just received a possible fraudulent phone call.

He told his 2.3 million followers: “…if you have had poss scam call, use a different line to call back (or wait an hour) in case they're spoofing a dial tone.”

It’s not the first time the money-saving expert has advised to call back on a different line, having shared a similar suggestion back in 2020.

Twitter/@MartinSLewis

Appearing next to a WWII veteran who’d been scammed out of his life-savings, Lewis told The Morning viewers about the importance of knowing who you are speaking to.

“Whoever the organisation is, go and call their official number. They will never mind, if they are official,” he explained, adding that you could even contact Scotland Yard if you need extra support.

With charity Think Jessica reporting that 53 percent of people over 65 have been targeted by scammers, the expert also suggested having a third party for elderly relatives and their finances.

“You could have an intermediary, who could just be alerted that this is happening before it happens…just someone else to say ‘yes this is fine’ or ‘hold on, what’s going on’,” he explained.

Here’s hoping this handy 159 number will help keep older Brits' pensions in their pockets.

Topics: Money, Martin Lewis, UK News, Celebrity

Katherine Sidnell

Katherine is an entertainment journalist with a love of all things nerdy. Starting out writing Doctor Who fan fiction as a kid, she has gone on to interview the likes of Matt Damon, James May and Dua Lipa to name a few. Published in The Sun, The Daily Mail and Evening Standard - she now joins Ladbible as resident nerd in chief.

@ksidnell