Customers with 20 major banks including Halifax, Barclays and HSBC are encouraged to note an important phone number to help protect themselves from being taken in by a scam.

Three new banks and several telephone providers have joined the 159 service, which allows customers to connect to a secure line for their respective institution

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Customers of 20 major banks, including Halifax, Barclays and HSBC, are being urged to take note of a crucial phone number to safeguard themselves from falling victim to scams. The 159 service, which customers can dial if they receive a suspicious call claiming to be from their bank,