Call 159: a new number for reporting scams
Quickly redirecting you to your bank, so you can report scams and suspected fraudulent activity.
In an initiative to support people who have fallen victim to a scam, or have been approached by fraudsters with potential scams, we’re supporting the launch of the new phone number, 159.
Now, when you call the number 159 you’ll be connected to a system which will redirect you to your bank. Because the sooner you report fraud, the sooner your bank can take the right action for you.
This line is not for general banking enquiries. Fraud is an extremely serious issue and this line is a service offered to help those affected or who are at risk.
If you are asked to move your money away from your account or feel pressurised into making a payment, STOP! And call 159.
159 is a vital tool to help prevent and combat the damage being caused by fraudsters, as well as protect and support the public. Calling 159 allows you to get in contact with your bank if you’re worried:
- That you’ve fallen victim to a scam
- That you’ve been contacted by a fraudster, or approached with a scam.
To stop fraudsters monitoring your call history, try and call 159 from a different device you may have communicated on with them.
Important: remember, 159 will never call you. If you receive a call from 159, or someone posing as a representative from this service— this is a scam.
Stop. Think, ‘fraud?’ Call 159.
Verification codes
We use verification codes as an additional layer of security when you're doing things like logging in to online banking, making online banking payments or setting up new payees.
To make sure it's always you using your online banking account and nobody else, we'll send you a code and you then need to follow the instructions online to enter the code.
Automated messaging
We sometimes send automated messages to check whether a payment is genuine and to prevent fraud before it happens. We send these by text message, email or by phone, depending on your preferred method of contact.
These messages will never ask you for personal or sensitive information or contain links. If you receive an automated message claiming to be from us that asks you to provide this information, do not respond.
Our fraud guarantee
We guarantee to refund any money lost to fraud, as long as:
- you've taken reasonable steps to keep your details safe
- you've taken sufficient care to check that the person or company you're dealing with are genuine
- you haven't acted fraudulently yourself.
Read our fraud guarantee in full.
Card security
We keep your cards secure and limit the risk in a number of ways, including:
Chip and PIN
This technology ensures that only you can use your card for store payments and cash machine transactions.
Contactless transaction limit
If your card falls into the wrong hands without you realising, it can't be used for high value fraudulent transactions. Contactless cards also require you to enter your PIN from time to time, to limit the number of contactless transactions.
Lost and stolen cards
If you realise your card is lost or stolen, call us as soon as possible to report it. We'll cancel your card and send you a replacement and a new PIN, which we'll send separately.
Contact us immediately if your card is lost or stolen on 0345 600 6000 or +44 345 600 6000 from outside the UK. Lines are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call charges
Visa Secure
Visa Secure is the new name for Verified by Visa and adds extra security when making online card payments. Before a payment is approved at the checkout, you may be asked to enter:
- Your full Visa Secure password
- A one-time passcode that we will send to your UK mobile number via text message.
We’ll send each unique, one-time passcode to the mobile number that is registered on your Co-operative Bank account— so it's important we have a mobile number registered for you, and that this number is kept up-to-date.
Need to register for Visa Secure or forgotten your password?
For assistance registering for Visa Secure, or resetting your Visa Secure password, please call us on:
03457 212 212 for current accounts
0345 600 6000 for credit cards
Lines are open 8am to 6pm Monday-Friday, 9am to 5pm Saturday and Sunday. Call charges apply.
Timeout
To keep your information safe when you're doing things like online banking or making an application, your session will time out if it has been idle for 5 minutes or more.
We'll always warn you before your session times out and you'll have the opportunity to resume the session before it does.
Not found what you're looking for?
Contact our support team