Spotting an energy scam

We may still be in the heart and warmth of British summer time – but it’s never too early to think about winter-proofing your property and your pocket.

Energy saving remains a hugely important topic, as does trying to get the very best deal when it comes to heating, insulating and protecting your home.

However, this is something the fraudsters will also be very much aware of, with numerous scams still doing the rounds.

These scams will most likely involve people pretending to be energy suppliers, regulators, or other associated companies to gain your trust and trick you into sharing personal and / or financial information.

They can use the availability of grants, promises of cheaper energy, or offers of making your home more energy efficient as tactics to trick homeowners through cold calling, social media, emails, website pop ups or texts.

Scams to be aware of

Solar panels

Some scammers might use the fact you have solar panels to try and pressure you into maintenance contracts. This can especially happen if the company who installed your solar panel system is no longer trading.

Beware also of fraudulent companies texting to mislead homeowners by saying their ‘solar panel warranty has expired’ or companies that contact or cold call to sell you a ‘maintenance package’ while pretending to be with the certified Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS).

OFGEM energy

This is where a scammer claims to be from the energy regulator Ofgem. They may ask you to change your bank details or provide personal information to get funding or cheap energy. 

Ofgem will never ask you for personal information, sell you energy, or show up at your house. 

Home improvements

Be cautious if a company contacts you claiming that your home poses safety risks. Common scams may involve offers to install energy efficiency upgrades that promise to reduce your utility bills or claims that your spray foam insulation requires removal.

Metre scams

Smart meters are free to install. Your energy supplier should organise the installation, carried out by a qualified professional.

Scammers may impersonate your provider or another company to trick you into agreeing to an installation, sometimes requesting an upfront fee or personal details.

According to the Energy Saving Trust, there are still meter reading scams taking place in the UK. They usually involved a scammer impersonating an official meter reader to gain access to your house or personal information.

Energy rebate

Although the Energy Bills Support Scheme £400 Government energy bill rebate ended in March 2023, some scammers are still trying to trick homeowners into handing over personal and financial details.

Other tactics have included promises of money to people of pension age or disabled people.

If you think you have may have been the victim of fraud, report the scam to Action Fraud and Citizens Advice.