Bankers today cautioned Australian customers about a recurring telephone survey scam which is using an organisation's name in an attempt to defraud bank customers.

According to the Australian Bankers' Association (ABA), the bogus survey telephone operator informs the person that they are completing a customer satisfaction survey and then asks a series of questions regarding the person's banking provider.

ABA said the bogus operators claim they are completing the survey on behalf of the "Banking Association of Australia" which they describe as a Government organisation.

ABA chief executive Steven Münchenberg said, "The ABA does not carry out customer satisfaction surveys. More than 10 bank customers have alerted us to this so-called 'survey' and told us they terminated the call after becoming suspicious."

"Some of the bank customers explained that the bogus operator asked for personal identification details. This information once extracted could be used by the criminals to commit crimes."

Mr Münchenberg said this is the third time, to ABA's knowledge, which criminals have been running this telephone scam. It occurred earlier this year in June and July.

"The ABA advises that if you receive a call such as this, just hang up. If you have provided any information over the telephone, then you should immediately contact your bank, which will take action to protect and monitor your account."