Martin Lewis issues warning after answering spam call

Martin Lewis has issued an urgent warning to Brits after accidentally answering a spam call.  

The money saving expert, 52, revealed he answered a phone call from a number he didn’t recognise, which meant scammers now know his ‘number is real’.

Taking to X, the finance guru explained:  ‘My mobile rang, a number I didn’t recognise. I answered.

‘An obviously automated female voice said ‘I want to talk to you about work. Please add me on What’s App [sic]’.

‘Then rang off. As I answered, they’ll now have logged that my number is real. 

‘So I (& anyone else who’s done the same) now need be vigilant for a wave of spam messages and calls coming my way’.

Martin has previously explained that answering a spam call signals to the caller that the number is active.

This mean the number is more likely to answer calls from unknown numbers – including more spam calls. 

He has also previously advised anyone who has been a victim of a suspicious call to dial 159 after hanging up.

This is a free service organised and funded by Stop Scams UK, an industry body supported by the Financial Conduct Authority and Ofcom, the communications regulator.

Martin, wrote: ‘If you need call your bank urgently (eg its just called you, and you’ve hung up as it may be a scam) and can’t remember its number, just call 159 and it’ll put you through. PS if you have had poss scam call, use a different line to call back (or wait an hour) in case they’re spoofing a dial tone.’

It comes after Martin Lewis urged Britons to ‘stock up and bulk-buy’ stamps before another Royal Mail price hike comes into play next month. 

From April 7, first-class stamp prices for standard letters will rise from £1.65 to £1.70 – a three per cent increase – while first-class stamps for large letters will go up 21 per cent – by 55p from £2.60 to £3.15. 

Other Royal Mail services, including ‘Signed For’ and ‘Tracked’, will also cost more starting next month, with the Money Saving Expert suggesting what he believes is the most ‘effective tactic’ to get ahead of the price rise. 

The Mancunian fiscal expert, 52, said: ‘For years, every time stamps go up in price, I’ve suggested people stock up and bulk-buy in advance as, provided the stamp doesn’t have a price on it and instead just says the postage class, it’s still valid.  

Martin also pointed out that while buying in bulk may not translate to huge savings on first-class stamps for standard letters that will be 5p more expensive, it remains an ‘effective tactic’ because the £1.65 stamps were only 60p in 2012. 

‘This has been an effective tactic, as a first-class letter stamp is now £1.65, soon rising to £1.70 – in 2012 it was just 60p’ the host of The Martin Lewis Show said. 

‘So while it’s not a huge saving this time, you still may as well stock up now.’

If you decide to stockpile stamps, be on the lookout for counterfeits, Martin also warned, and ensure you only buy from reputable high street outlets and hold on to your bills. 

Martin Lewis has urged Britons to ‘stock up and bulk-buy’ stamps before another Royal Mail price hike comes into play next month

From April 7, first-class stamp prices for standard letters will rise from £1.65 to £1.70 – a three per cent increase – while first-class stamps for large letters will go up 21 per cent – by 55p from £2.60 to £3.15

The price of first-class stamps has been raised twice in the last year, from £1.25 to £1.35 in April 2024, and then a further 22 per cent to the current £1.65-price in October 2024. 

Royal Mail defended the rise in prices as a necessary means to offset the increasing cost pressures while still delivering letters to all UK addresses – up by four million between 2004 and 2024 – six days a week. 

Royal Mail’s chief commercial officer, Nick Landon said: ‘A complex and extensive network of trucks, planes and 85,000 posties is needed to ensure we can deliver across the country for just 87p [the new cost of a standard second-class stamp]’. 

Martin’s latest financial guidance comes after he issued an urgent warning to Brits with savings ahead of an upcoming deadline next month.

During the latest episode of his live show on ITV, Martin was discussing changes taking place at the beginning of April when the next UK tax year begins, including topping up cash ISAs as soon as possible.

Martin explained that cash individual savings accounts (ISAs), simply put, are savings accounts where interest that is earned on money stowed away cannot be taxed.

Each tax year, every British bank account holder is given an allowance of £20,000 to put into a cash ISA so it can be saved or invested while earning tax-free interest.  

And for those hoping to maximise the money they can add to cash ISAs tax-free, now is the time to act.  

Martin’s latest financial guidance comes after he issued an urgent warning to Brits with savings ahead of an upcoming deadline next month

‘With cash ISAs, you need to use them or lose them by April 5. An ISA is just a savings account where you are not taxed on the interest. It’s no more complicated,’ the finance mogul explained. 

‘You can put in £20,000 per tax year in general and if you need to fill this year’s, you will need to do so now.’ 

The deadline for adding that maximum figure is April 5, but Martin warned those considering adding the maximum amount should do so now to avoid being caught out. 

‘Even though the deadline for the year is April 5 in practice, many of the product providers close earlier for admin, so you need to get on with it and sort it out,’ he explained.

He also noted that the £20,000 tax free figure will renew each new financial year, allowing account holders to add more money and still avoid being taxed on interest earned.

But they will have to wait until April 6, when the new financial year rolls over – in which case they will again have £20,000 of tax-free tops ups, should they choose to use them.

The money master explained: ‘So you could put in £20,000 this year right now. Now that would be for this tax year’s cash ISA. 

‘Then, on April 6, you get another £20,000 for next year’s tax year. So now you’ve got £40,000 pound in, and if things don’t change the next year, you can put in another £20,000 and have £60,000 in your cash ISA.

‘People have hundreds of thousands of pounds in their cash ISA, and this is why you need to beat the deadline. As you don’t want to lose out on next year’s allowance as you want to max it out when it is appropriate for you to do so.’

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