Survey: People too ready to give out personal data

By the Editorial Team · Friday, September 25, 2026

A survey by Nationwide Building Society found that about one in seven people have shared personal information with imposters before realizing the deception. This vulnerability is concerning given that impersonation scams now cause average losses of nearly £2,200, highlighting the need for greater caution against increasingly sophisticated fraud attempts.

A recent survey highlights widespread vulnerability among the public to fraudsters seeking personal information. According to the research conducted on behalf of Nationwide Building Society, approximately one in seven individuals admitted to sharing personal data with someone before realizing the person was not genuine.

The findings also reveal that around 20 percent of respondents said they would be likely to return a call to an unknown number, a behavior that could expose them to potential scams. Nationwide’s data indicates that the average financial loss from impersonation scams is close to £2,200.

Annya Burskys, head of fraud operations at Nationwide, emphasized the increasing sophistication of scammers, underscoring the growing risks faced by consumers. The survey results serve as a cautionary reminder about the importance of vigilance in safeguarding personal information, particularly in the face of evolving fraudulent tactics.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.