I think most of us have probably been victims of attempts to scam us, from criminals via text and telephone calls, unfortunately many people fall for these scams and become victims of banking fraud , some losing thousands of pounds. There is a telephone number you can ring which will put you in direct and immediate contact with your bank and immediately stop and potential loss. If you recieve a text or telephone call, from people claiming to be from your bank, or people claiming to be from the Police, or alike saying that there is an issue with your bank account, or an investigation into fraud on your account or similar and your suspicions are raised that it may be an attempt fraud or theft etc you can ring 159. 159 is a free, secure hotline that connects you directly to your bank if you suspect a financial scam. 159 works in the same way a 101 for the Police, or 111 for the NHS. Its the number you can trust to get you through to your bank safely and securely every time.  If you think your are being the victim of an attempted scam…via a phonecall or text STOP, HANG UP and call !%( - Stop Scams UK. The service will ask you to nominate your bank before sending you directly through to the Co-operative Bank Fraud team.  Different banks may operate differently to get you through, if you have any prolonged option list ask for the Co-operative Bank. This is an immediate service which will stop any fraudulent activity on your account. You will NEVER receive a call from 159 helping to prevent scammers from using 159 as a call number to contact you, and 159 is a secure number to ring.  Nearly all of the High Street Banks are signed up to this service. They also work alongside Action Fraud, another national anti-scam agency. The Bank will never ask you for Passcodes/numbers/pins via a telephone or text, and neither will the Police.  If you need any further information about the 159 service Google ‘Telephone 159 number’. Please share this Smart Alert and make your friends and family aware too, it may just prevent you being scammed.

Thank you