The research also found that 19% would be likely to return a call from an unknown number. Asked what might persuade them to trust a caller claiming to represent their bank, 10% pointed to a professional-sounding voice. Knowing a person’s full name would reassure 14%, while knowing their date of birth would influence 13%.
Those details are not proof of identity. Nationwide’s campaign warns that criminals may obtain personal information through a fraudulent website, phishing email or text message, then reuse it to make a later impersonation more convincing. A caller may also press someone to act quickly or coach them on what to say if their bank questions a payment.
Actress Lisa Riley, who is taking part in the awareness drive, said she had entered personal information on a travel-permit website she believed was genuine. She had used the process before and said the site looked legitimate, so nothing immediately raised suspicion.
The findings illustrate how a convincing approach can build on information people already regard as private. Nationwide’s advice is to tell the bank what is happening when a payment is questioned, rather than follow a caller’s instructions to conceal or explain it away.