How banks are helping you stay safe from scam calls and fraud

With criminals constantly coming up with new and more sophisticated ways to impersonate banks and trick us into parting with our money, it’s more important than ever to stay vigilant.

Which? magazine has researched which banks now offer tools to help you quickly spot warning signs and stay safe.

Here’s a simple overview of what they found:

Caller verification: Check a call Is genuine

Several banks now offer services that let you verify that you’re really speaking to them.

Nationwide

Nationwide members can use the Call Checker tool in the app.

Go to: More → Call Checker.

The app will tell you either:

“You’re on a call with [name]” or

“You’re not on a call with us.”

Barclays, Monzo, Revolut and Starling

These banks offer similar ways to confirm whether the caller is genuine:

Barclays – Ask the caller to send a secure notification to your app using App ID.

Monzo – View call status in the app’s security settings.

Starling – Check the call status on the payments screen.

Revolut – The app will automatically flag “We are not talking to you” when opened during a call. You can also hang up and contact Support safely through the app.

Monzo told Which? that its call‑status feature has helped identify more than 18,000 fraud attempts since 2023.

Not sure if a call is genuine? Call 159

If your bank doesn’t offer a verification tool, you can dial 159.

You’ll be connected to your bank via a secure service where staff can confirm whether the call you received was legitimate.

Banks using 159 include:

HSBC, Lloyds Bank, NatWest, Santander, TSB, The Co‑operative Bank, Danske Bank, Chase, First Direct, Halifax and Metro Bank.

AI tools can help you spot scams

Some banks are now using artificial intelligence (AI) to help customers check whether emails, adverts or sellers look suspicious.

It highlights red flags such as very low prices, fake or stolen images and inconsistencies in seller communication.

This aims to protect customers from purchase scams, one of the most common types of fraud.

Other ways banks are protecting customers

Banks are continuing to roll out new features to help reduce fraud:

• Real-time alerts and instant notifications make it easier to spot strange activity.
• Instant card freezing – most banks allow you to freeze and unfreeze your card in-app.
• In-app card controls
• Some banks let you block online or phone purchases if you’re worried your details have been compromised.
• Virtual debit cards – offered by several digital banks, virtual cards protect your real card details when shopping online.
• Location-based security – Monzo and Revolut can block or delay transfers made from unusual locations.
• Undo payments – Monzo also offers a 10–60 second window to cancel a transfer if you spot a mistake.
• Extra checks for savings – some apps automatically blur sensitive information if remote‑access software is detected.

Remember, if you spot a cyber scam that you think might pose a serious risk to you or others, you can report it to the Jersey Cyber Security Centre using their contact details.

If you have been a victim of fraud, you should report it to the States of Jersey Police by calling 612612.