**Martin Lewis Urges Public to Remember Anti-Scam ‘159’ Number as Service Hits 1 Million Calls**
Martin Lewis, the renowned financial journalist behind MoneySavingExpert.com, is once again urging the public to commit one simple three-digit phone number to memory: 159. This advice follows news that more than a million people have called the 159 anti-scam phone line since its inception, underscoring its vital role in the national fight against fraud.
The 159 service, launched in September 2021, allows individuals who are concerned they may be targeted by scammers to connect safely and directly with their bank. The initiative was designed to provide an easy-to-remember route for the public to verify suspicious financial calls or activity, potentially preventing devastating losses from fraud.
Ruth Evans, chairwoman of Stop Scams UK, highlighted the success and reach of the 159 service, especially now that Virgin Money has joined the collaboration. “With the addition of Virgin Money, there are now 21 brands using the service, covering 99.2% of UK current accounts,” she explained. “We set out to create a simple way for people to protect themselves from scammers and, with over 1,600 daily users and a million calls made, 159 is proving indispensable.”
Martin Lewis has long been a vocal advocate for scam awareness, often referencing the widespread and alarming scale of fraud in the UK. He described 159 as “a no-brainer”, urging everyone to remember it — “the diagonal top left to bottom right on your keypad” — and use it to ensure they’re speaking to their genuine bank. “Even if you receive a call from someone claiming to be your bank,” Lewis advised, “ask for their department, hang up, and redial via 159. That way, you know it’s legitimate.”
Scammers frequently hijack high-profile names such as Lewis’s own in an attempt to dupe the public, making initiatives like the 159 number all the more important. Fraudsters often use fake endorsements to add legitimacy to their claims, increasing the risk that unsuspecting people will part with their hard-earned cash.
Gareth Pindred, Virgin Money’s head of fraud, welcomed the opportunity to offer additional reassurance to customers. “Fraudsters pretending to be from banks is a constant issue,” Pindred said. “From now on, Virgin Money customers can dial 159 and be put straight through to our contact centre, knowing they are speaking to a genuine colleague. This is an important step forward, and we’re keen to pursue further industry-wide initiatives that put our customers’ safety first.”
The comprehensive list of banking brands currently accessible via 159 includes major names such as Barclays, Lloyds, HSBC, Nationwide, and Halifax, in addition to smartphone challengers like Monzo and Starling. This broad coverage reflects an industry-wide acknowledgement of how critical collaboration is in tackling financial crime.
Stop Scams UK, the driving force behind the 159 service, represents a coalition of banking, telecommunications, and technology firms. This cross-sector effort acknowledges that criminals often exploit weaknesses across multiple industries to carry out their schemes, and that joined-up responses are essential for effective prevention.
Commenting on the impact, Dave Harcourt, chief security authority and automation director at BT, called 159 an “important tool” in combating scams. Maria Cearns, chief operating officer at the Co-operative Bank, added that the number has helped her organisation deal with thousands of fraud-related queries, further demonstrating its value to both customers and banks.
In an age where scams can begin with a phone call, text, or email, public awareness and easy-to-use defences are more crucial than ever. With scams growing more sophisticated, Martin Lewis hopes that as many people as possible will add 159 to their mental toolbox — and remember to use it when something just doesn’t feel right.