Stay safe with the Stop Scams UK scheme

Chase is now part of the dial 159 scheme. 159 is a phone number that connects you to your bank to report suspected fraud or scams. Here’s what you need to know about the campaign.

As we approach a busier time of the year for shopping – including Black Friday and the festive season – it’s even more important to be vigilant against scammers when buying online. For the second year running, Stop Scams UK (Opens in new window) is teaming up with the BBC to bring you the BBC Scam Safe campaign (Opens in new window)

Remember, if anything seems too good to be true, it probably is.

Dial 159: your direct line to safety

Chase has now joined the dial 159 scheme, which means if you think you’ve been scammed or are in the middle of a scam, you can call 159 and be put through directly to the team at Chase. Our team will be on hand to get more information from you to investigate the scam, whether it’s in progress or has already happened.

Sean Hegarty, Head of Fraud for Chase, says: 'Protecting our customers from fraud and scams is one of our highest priorities, which is why we’ve joined 159 and partnered with Stop Scams UK. The 159 hotline is a vital service, providing an even simpler way for customers to call Chase quickly if they suspect they’re being targeted by a scammer'.

What is Stop Scams UK?

Stop Scams UK is an industry-led collaboration, bringing together responsible businesses from the banking, technology and telecoms sectors to tackle scams head on. Its members believe that for a scam to be successful, it often requires multiple points of contact.

Stop Scams UK provides the resources, leadership and a trusted space for members to share problems, identify opportunities and overcome challenges. By driving projects forward for the benefit of consumers and businesses alike, the objective is to stop scams at their source.

Scam threats to watch out for

Here are some of the latest emerging scam threats facing banks and their customers:

Bank Impersonation Scams

Scammers trick or manipulate you to move money into an account they control, under the pretence that your account is compromised and you need to move your money to a safe account. Alternatively, they get you to approve 3D Secure authorisations for online payments, all under the guise of getting a refund. Always be suspicious of unsolicited calls asking for personal information or money transfers. Chase won't contact you out of the blue to ask you to move money or approve a transaction through the app.

Smishing messages

These are fraudulent SMS or WhatsApp messages that trick you into giving away personal information or clicking on links that ask you to input personal information. The scammers then follow up with a ‘vishing call’, using the information harvested from the SMS to appear legitimate. If you receive a suspicious message, don’t click on any links or provide any information.

Man in the middle attacks

Fraudsters work together to call into the bank at the same time as calling you. They try to intercept and manipulate the communication between you and your bank. Always verify the caller's identity and never share sensitive information over the phone. If you're unsure it's really your bank on the phone hang up and either call back through the app, or by dialling 159.

Social media scams

These usually involve fake items or rogue investment opportunities. Scammers use Generative AI to create false celebrity endorsements, making their scams look even more convincing. Always double-check the legitimacy of offers and endorsements before making any purchases or investments.

Scammers often use endorsements, so exercise caution with any online investment opportunities fronted by celebrities.

Stay vigilant and informed

The best way to protect yourself is to stay informed and vigilant. Remember, if something seems too good to be true, it probably is. Be alert to suspicious activity and don’t hesitate to use the 159 hotline if you suspect you’re being scammed. Your vigilance could help stop the source of the scam – protecting yourself and others too.

Recommended reading

• APP scams
• Financial influencers and get rich quick schemes
• 12 scams of Christmas

Disclaimer: The Hub is intended as a knowledge portal to provide information on a range of topics, including financial products. Articles may reference products and services that Chase UK does not currently offer. This article is for information only and does not constitute financial advice. Please ensure you verify communications before acting on any instructions.