Local Priorities Fraud Message

I wanted to provide you with an update regarding Fraud, which people around your area have highlighted as an issue of concern on the priority survey.

Dear Valley Ward Members,

STOP, HANG UP, CALL 159 - Stop Scams UK

It is nearly five years since the most banks introduced a single easy to remember phone number – 159 – for direct contact with your bank if you experience scams that could affect your bank account.

Call 159 in the UK to immediately and safely connect to your bank's fraud team if you receive a suspicious call about financial matter. It acts as a "999" for bank fraud, allowing you to stop, hang up, and verify if a request to transfer money or share personal details is genuine.

Key Facts About 159:

• Purpose: To prevent bank transfer fraud (APP scams) by providing a direct line to bank fraud departments.
• When to Use: If you receive an unexpected or suspicious call claiming to be from your bank, the police, or an authority figure asking for money or personal details.
• How it Works: It covers over 99% of UK bank customers, including major banks like Barclays, HSBC, Lloyds, Nationwide, NatWest, Santander, and Starling.
• Safety: 159 will never call you; it is a service you initiate.
• Cost: Calls cost the same as a national rate call (like 01 or 02 numbers) and are free if your provider includes free calls to landlines.

Participating Banks:

Bank of Scotland, Barclays, Co-operative Bank, Chase, Danske Bank, First Direct, Halifax, HSBC, Lloyds Bank, Metro Bank, Manzo, Nationwide, NatWest, Revolut, Royal Bank of Scotland, Santander, Starling Bank, TSB, Ulster Bank, and Virgin Money.

If you receive a suspicious call, Stop, Hang Up, and Call 159

Fraud can affect anyone within the community, so we want to make sure you have the tools and knowledge to protect yourself from it. It comes in many different forms and across varying channels, whether that's through emails, phone calls or in person encounters. Some adults may be even more vulnerable to fraud or financial abuse, but it is something that everyone can be at risk of. If you’re concerned about someone you know, please contact your local social services and ask for Adult Social Care.

Please see a few resources below to protect you and others from potential fraudsters: 

• Learn the ten golden rules to prevent fraud.
• Find out about the most common types of fraud.
• Download The Little Book of Big Scams to find out more. The Little Book of Big Scams audio version is also available.

For more information and help and to report fraud, go to Action Fraud, the UK’s national fraud and cybercrime reporting centre. Lastly, if you think you’ve uncovered a scam, been targeted by a scam or fallen victim to fraudsters, please contact 101 or Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or online at Action Fraud.

 We are working on our brand-new strategy for how we police London and we want your help. Our New Met for London: Phase 2 strategy will guide how we deliver on behalf of Londoners over the next three years.