Dedicated customer phone line launched for personal customers requiring financial support – 0800 01 56 382

Website page introduced with advice and tips on managing finances

Thousands of business customers contacted by Santander relationship teams to offer support

Customers advised to be aware of fraudulent activity related to Coronavirus outbreak 
 

13 March 2020. Santander UK has today announced new measures and guidance to support customers during the Coronavirus outbreak. The advice includes a new, dedicated customer support number (0800 01 56 382) and a website page providing regularly updated advice and tips on managing finances during the Coronavirus outbreak.  

The bank has also been working to update its chatbot capabilities to address customer questions and has increased the number of staff available to assist customers financially impacted by Coronavirus.

Customers contacting the bank will be given support depending on their specific circumstances and help could include the option to defer or reduce payments that are due or increasing credit and borrowing limits.

Santander’s business relationship team has already contacted thousands of business customers to discuss support in managing their cash flow and supply chain issues. 

The bank is also reminding customers to be alert to criminals taking advantage of Coronavirus to carry out scams.  It advises customers to be on the lookout for anything suspicious including email messages about Coronavirus claiming to be from their bank.  

Susan Allen, CEO Retail and Business Banking, Santander UK, commented: “In such uncertain times we want to reassure our customers that we’re here to help those who are worried about their finances. We want to give our customers all they need from practical tips on managing their money if they’re stuck at home, to financial support for those struggling with increased financial pressures as a result of Coronavirus.” 

Tips from the Santander Coronavirus “prepare and prevent for more peace of mind” website page include: 

• Online and digital banking: Sign up to online banking and the mobile app. They are the simplest ways you can securely manage your money, anywhere, anytime.  
• Know your log-on details: if you’ve forgotten your details, you should be able to retrieve them in a few simple steps.  
• Use contactless and mobile payments: you should be able to use a contactless payment device in most shops, which means you don't have to touch the payment terminal or exchange cash. Or link your debit/credit cards to your smartphone or device to make mobile payments.
• Talk to your bank: if you’ve been directly affected by the Coronavirus, or need to support a family member or friend, call our helpline on 0800 01 56 382 between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Friday. Or you can ask us a question using social media: Facebook or Twitter
• Stay alert: fraudsters may try to take advantage of the current situation, so make sure you’re on the lookout for anything suspicious, including messages about Coronavirus claiming to be from your bank. Remember, we’ll never ask you for your full PIN or password or ask you to move money from your accounts. More information can be found here.
• Travel arrangements: Check the government’s advice before you travel. Your travel insurance won't cover you where government advice is to avoid travel to your destination, either due to the Coronavirus or any other reason.

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The information contained in our press releases is intended solely for journalists and should not be used by consumers to make financial decisions.

Notes to editors: 

Customers are advised to visit the following website, where updates from Santander UK in relation to the Coronavirus outbreak will be updated:
https://www.santander.co.uk/personal/coronavirus 

Santander UK is a financial services provider in the UK that offers a wide range of personal and commercial financial products and services. At 30 December 2019, the bank had around 23,500 employees and serves around 14 million active customers, via a nationwide branch network, telephone, mobile and online banking. Santander UK is subject to the full supervision of the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) in the UK. Santander UK plc customers’ eligible deposits are protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) in the UK. 

Banco Santander (SAN SM, STD US, BNC LN) is a leading retail and commercial bank, founded in 1857 and headquartered in Spain. It has a meaningful presence in 10 core markets in Europe and the Americas, and is one of the largest banks in the world by market capitalization. Its purpose is to help people and businesses prosper in a simple, personal and fair way. Santander is building a more responsible bank and has made a number of commitments to support this objective, including raising over €120 billion in green financing between 2019 and 2025, as well as financially empowering more than 10 million people over the same period. At the end of 2019, Banco Santander had EUR 1.05 trillion in total funds, 145 million customers, of which 21.6 million are loyal and 37 million are digital (52% of active customers), 12,000 branches and 200,000 employees. Banco Santander made underlying profit of EUR 8,252 million in 2019, an increase of 2% compared to the previous year.

Media Enquiries
Miranda Seymour T: 020 7756 4189 M: 07860 857 999 E: miranda.seymour@santander.co.uk    

Lara Lipsey T: 020 7756 4518 M: 07713 560 209 E: lara.lipsey@santander.co.uk 

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