# UK consumer fraud schemes > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/uk-consumer-fraud-schemes > Updated: 2026-08-03T18:00:00.000Z. Sources: 7. Developments: 3. In late July 2026, Stop Scams UK promoted the three‑digit number 159 for the public to verify suspicious bank calls, while a handset‑fraud scheme targeting mobile‑service customers was reported. In early August 2026, Devon & Cornwall Police issued a warning about a new phone scam that pretends to be a bank fraud department. The callers claim money is being stolen, advise victims to hang up, and then direct them to the 159 service or the bank’s official number. The scam keeps the line open to create a false dial tone and attempts to obtain passwords or transfer funds to a “safe account”. Police advise using a different phone, waiting 30‑60 seconds after hanging up, and confirming the line is clear before dialing. A separate advisory cautioned against requests to hand cash to rideshare or delivery drivers or to send funds via cryptocurrency, urging people to report fraud to Action Fraud. ## Timeline ### 2026-08-03: UK police warn of sophisticated bank phone scam UK police warn that scammers impersonating banks use the 159 service trick, urging victims to use a different phone, wait before redialing, and never hand cash to couriers. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/uk-police-warn-of-sophisticated-bank-phone-scam ### 2026-08-03: UK mobile customers hit by handset fraud scheme UK mobile users of Sky, Tesco Mobile, EE, Vodafone and O2 are being scammed by callers posing as providers, receiving costly phones that are later billed to them; nearly 30,000 handsets were stolen last year. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/uk-mobile-customers-hit-by-handset-fraud-scheme ### 2026-07-29: UK urges public to dial 159 to verify bank calls and avoid scams Britons are urged to hang up suspicious bank calls and dial 159, a Stop Scams UK service that connects directly to their bank’s fraud team, to prevent account theft. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/uk-urges-public-to-dial-159-to-verify-bank-calls-and-avoid-scams --- Cite as: UK consumer fraud schemes. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/uk-consumer-fraud-schemes