Medium riskPhone & Voice

Survey & Research Call Scam

In this scam, a caller claims to be conducting a survey or market research, then asks probing questions to harvest personal and financial details, or offers a 'prize' that needs a fee or card details.

Quick verdict

Risk level
Medium risk
Scam type
Data harvesting (vishing)
Main red flag
A survey call asking for personal, financial, or security details, or offering a prize.
What to do first
Do not share personal details; genuine surveys do not need your bank or security data.

What this scam usually looks like

In this scam, a caller claims to be conducting a survey or market research, then asks probing questions to harvest personal and financial details, or offers a 'prize' that needs a fee or card details.

Phone and voice scams, known as vishing, use live callers and robocalls to impersonate banks, retailers, agencies, and tech support. The call is a doorway to remote access, one-time codes, or moving money, and phone contact carries some of the highest reported losses.

The single clearest warning sign to remember is this: A survey call asking for personal, financial, or security details, or offering a prize. Do not share personal details; genuine surveys do not need your bank or security data.

Not sure this matches what you received? Compare it with the Customer Survey Scam or the Charity Phone Call Scam, browse the Phone & Voice Scams guides, or paste the exact message into our free scam checker.

By the numbers

Highest median loss
phone calls are the contact method with the highest reported median loss to fraud
Source: US Federal Trade Commission
$2.7B
reported lost to imposter scams in the US in 2023
Source: US Federal Trade Commission

Example message pattern

Example pattern, not a real report
Example pattern: 'You've been selected for a paid survey! First, confirm your bank and a few security details to register you.'

This is a fictional, anonymised example used to illustrate the pattern. It is not a verified real message, and any names are used only to show how the scam typically reads.

Why this is a red flag: A survey call asking for personal, financial, or security details, or offering a prize.

Red flags to watch for

  • A survey asking for financial or security details
  • A 'prize' or reward needing a fee or card details
  • Questions that build a profile of your accounts
  • Pressure to continue or claim a reward
  • A research firm you cannot verify

What to do

  • Decline to share personal, financial, or security details
  • Verify any genuine research firm independently
  • Hang up if asked for bank or security information
  • Report and block the number

If you already clicked or replied

  • If you shared financial or security details, contact your bank
  • Change passwords or security answers you revealed
  • Watch for follow-up scam calls using your details
  • Report it

What not to do

  • Do not share bank or security details for a survey
  • Do not pay a fee to claim a survey 'prize'
  • Do not answer probing financial questions

Similar scams

Medium risk Text Message

Customer Survey Scam

This scam invites you to complete a short customer satisfaction survey for a reward from a known brand, then asks for card details to cover 'shipping' on the prize or harvests your personal data.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
Medium risk Phone & Voice

Charity Phone Call Scam

In this scam, callers pose as a charity or disaster-relief appeal, using emotional pressure to get an immediate donation by card or transfer, often impersonating a real, well-known cause.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
Medium risk Phone & Voice

Prize Robocall Scam

In this scam, a robocall or live call says you have won a prize, holiday, or cash, then asks for a fee, card details, or personal information to 'release' winnings that do not exist.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team

Frequently asked questions

Do genuine surveys ask for my bank details?
No. Legitimate research never needs your bank, passwords, or security answers. Such questions mean the 'survey' is a data-harvesting scam.
They offered a reward. Is it real?
A reward that needs a fee or card details is a lure. Genuine paid research does not charge you or ask for security data.
I answered financial questions. What now?
Contact your bank, change any security answers or passwords you revealed, and watch for follow-up scam calls.
How do I verify a research firm?
Look it up independently and call back on an official number. Be wary of unsolicited surveys seeking sensitive details.

Last reviewed June 2026 · Written & reviewed by the

Disclaimer: This page provides educational information only to help you recognise common scam patterns. It is not legal, financial, cybersecurity, or law enforcement advice, and it does not confirm whether any specific message, company, or person is genuine or fraudulent. When in doubt, contact the official organisation directly and report concerns to your local authorities.