If you’re contacted by someone claiming to be from your bank, stop, hang up and dial 159: the hotline designed to fight fraud. Calling 159 is a practical step you can take to challenge scammers and protect yourself.

The scheme is urging people to “stop, hang up and call 159” to check calls are for real. The idea is to help those who believe they have been contacted by scammers claiming to be their bank, or by fraudsters who encourage them to transfer money.

When calling 159, you’ll be taken through an option menu in which each bank that has signed up to the service is read aloud. Customers are then able to use their telephone keypad to be put through to their bank. You’ll then be directed through to your bank’s customer service department. Note that calling the service will cost the same as making a national rate call, which means if you’ve got inclusive minutes it’ll be taken from those.

More information can be found on the Stop Scams UK website.