Fraud hotline is ‘banking equivalent to 999’

An emergency hotline described as the banking industry’s equivalent to 999 is to launch this week amid rising levels of fraud. Customers will be able to call 159 to receive help if they believe they are being targeted by scammers purporting to be from HMRC or a delivery company.

The national emergency phone line will put customers through to their bank where staff can advise them if fraudsters are targeting them, according to The Times.

The hotline, organised and funded by Stop Scams UK, an industry body supported by the Financial Conduct Authority and Ofcom, will go live on Thursday for a 12-month trial period.