The British Banker’s Association poll found that 8m people could be vulnerable to “vishing” or voice phishing.
The research suggested 4m might transfer money into another supposed “safe” account if instructed and 3m could be willing to carry out “test transactions” online.
Very worryingly, 1.7m would pass their bank card over to a courier on their doorstep if they carried some form of identity.
To counter this, the UK retail banks – supported by law enforcement bodies, including the City of London Police and the National Crime Agency are launching an awareness drive called Know Fraud, No Fraud.
The leaflet includes a list of things a bank would never ask a customer to do (but a fraudster might), such as giving their PIN or online banking password over the phone or email, and sending someone to a customer’s home to collect cash or bank cards.
Anthony Browne, chief executive of the BBA, said: “Being defrauded is a devastating experience for anyone which is why we are launching this campaign. The more people know about fraud, the less likely they are to become victims.
Nigel Kirby, deputy director of the Economic Crime Command at the National Crime Agency, said: “Prevention is vitally important in the UK’s fight to cut fraud and the NCA fully supports this campaign which gives people the information they need to protect themselves. If you are familiar with the ways that criminals try to scam you, then you are far less likely to become a victim of the fraudsters.”
