Nationwide has launched a new call checker service aimed at tackling the growing threat of impersonation scams, as fresh research from the building society highlights how frequently UK consumers are targeted by fraudsters.
According to Nationwide’s findings, the average person in Britain now receives eight scam calls every month, the equivalent of two unwanted and potentially dangerous calls every week, said Finextra.
Impersonation scams, where criminals pose as trusted organisations such as banks or building societies, continue to account for significant financial losses each year. Nationwide’s own customer data shows that these scams make up 17% of all reported fraud cases, underlining how common and damaging the tactic has become. While people of all ages are affected, the data suggests older customers are particularly vulnerable, with those aged over 65 accounting for 55% of cases.
The newly launched Call Checker feature is designed to give customers an immediate way to verify whether a call claiming to be from Nationwide is genuine. Accessible through the Nationwide banking app, the service allows users to instantly check the status of the call they are on. The screen will clearly confirm either “You’re on a call with Alex” or “You’re not on a call with us,” removing ambiguity at a moment when scammers often rely on pressure and confusion.
Call Checker builds on Nationwide’s existing Scam Checker service, which already plays a role in preventing fraud losses. The Scam Checker tool is currently used by around 100k people and is estimated to stop £300k from being lost each month. By extending these protections to live phone calls, Nationwide is seeking to close one of the most exploited channels used by impersonation fraudsters.
Nationwide director of economic crime Jim Winters said: “Scammers are becoming more sophisticated, and impersonation calls are one of the most common ways they trick people into handing over money. We are programmed to trust people and when someone uses clever tactics and well-practised scripts – often putting us under pressure or making us panic – it can be hard to know who to trust. Our Call Checker feature gives our customers peace of mind by confirming if a call is genuine, or not. It’s a simple and effective step that could prevent someone from becoming the next crime statistic.”
The launch reflects a broader push across the UK financial sector to combine technology with consumer education as fraud tactics continue to evolve. With impersonation scams remaining one of the most persistent threats, tools that enable real-time verification are increasingly being seen as an essential layer of defence for customers.
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