Crooks posing as banks set to trick millions out of their savings

The BBA warns that eight million people are vulnerable to “vishing” or voice phishing - when crooks claim to be calling from a bank - while four million might transfer money into another supposed “safe” account if instructed (Rex)

Millions are at risk from fraudsters posing as banks, worrying new research shows. The British Bankers’ Association tested what the response would be to typical fraudster activities. The results are alarming, with many of us looking like easy victims.

The BBA warns that eight million people are vulnerable to “vishing” or voice phishing - when crooks claim to be calling from a bank - while four million might transfer money into another supposed “safe” account if instructed.

Meanwhile three million could be willing to carry out “test transactions” online while 1.7 million would pass their bank card to a courier on their doorstep if they carried an ID card.

“Your bank would never send someone to your home to collect cash or ask you to transfer funds to a new account,” says Anthony Browne of the BBA.

He says there are eight things your bank will never ask you to do, but a fraudster will be keen to encourage you to do so:

A bank will never:

• Ask for your full PIN or any online banking passwords over the phone or via email
• Send someone to your home to collect cash, bank cards or anything else
• Ask you to email or text personal or banking information
• Send an email with a link to a page which asks you to enter your online banking log-in details
• Ask you to authorise the transfer of funds to a new account or hand over cash
• Call to advise you to buy diamonds, land or other commodities
• Ask you to carry out a test transaction online
• Provide banking services through any mobile apps other than the bank’s official apps.

To help you spot a legitimate call from a call from a fraudster the BBA has launched a new campaign. Full details at www.knowfraud.co.uk