⚡ Energy Bill Scams UK — How to Spot Fake Refunds and Switch Offers

Sunday, 02 August 2026

Energy bill scams are on the rise across the UK — fake refunds, "cheaper tariff" cold calls, doorstep conmen, and phishing emails pretending to be your supplier. With bills so high, people are primed to believe anything that promises money off.

Here's how the scams work and how to protect your money and your home.

The main energy scams

Scam How it works
Refund text/email "You're owed £180 energy rebate — claim here" → fake page harvests card details
Cheaper tariff call "We've found you a better deal" — they take your bank details for the "switch"
Doorstep conman Someone at your door claiming to be from your supplier or the "energy regulator"
Direct debit change A caller asks you to "confirm your new direct debit details"
Meter exchange "We're upgrading meters in your area" — they need payment or bank details
Fake bill An email bill for a supplier you don't use, with a "pay now" link
Government scheme Fake "energy support scheme" or "rebate" applications

The warning signs

  • Urgency — "claim your rebate before midnight", "your supply will be cut off"
  • A link in a text/email — suppliers don't send payment links by text
  • Asking for card details — no legitimate refund requires your card number
  • Cold calls about switching — real suppliers don't cold-call to "switch" you
  • Doorstep callers — genuine meter workers carry ID and never ask for payment or bank details
  • "Regulator" callers — Ofgem never calls consumers about bills or rebates
  • Too good to be true — a "£400 rebate" from an energy company you don't use

⚠️ The golden rules: (1) Energy suppliers never text or email a link to claim a rebate. (2) Ofgem and the government never call you about rebates. (3) Never give bank details to a cold caller or doorstep visitor — ever.

What to do

If you get a suspicious text/email:

  1. Don't click links — log into your supplier's app or website directly (type the address yourself)
  2. Forward texts to 7726 — free, blocks the sender
  3. Report to Action Fraud — 0300 123 2040 or actionfraud.police.uk

If a doorstep caller appears:

  1. Don't let them in — genuine workers have ID and won't mind you checking
  2. Close the door and call your supplier using the number on your bill
  3. Report suspicious doorstep callers to the police (101) and your local council's trading standards

If you've given details:

  1. Call your bank's fraud line immediately — cancel the card
  2. Report to Action Fraud and get a crime reference number
  3. If money was taken, see how to get your money back after a scam

Who really contacts you about energy?

Contact Legitimate?
Your supplier's app/website ✅ Yes — go there directly
Supplier emails about your actual account ✅ Sometimes — but never with payment links
Cold calls offering cheaper tariffs ❌ No — hang up
Texts offering rebates/refunds ❌ No — never click
Ofgem calling about your bill ❌ No — Ofgem doesn't call consumers
Doorstep "supplier" visits ❌ Almost never — check ID and call your supplier
Government "rebate" calls ❌ No — official support is applied to bills automatically or via gov.uk

Protect yourself

  • ✅ Set up a password with your supplier — so callers must verify themselves
  • ✅ Check your bill for the supplier's real contact number — use it, not numbers from callers
  • ✅ Tell older relatives — doorstep and phone energy scams target them hardest
  • ✅ Register with the Telephone Preference Service (TPS) to reduce cold calls
  • ❌ Never give bank details to cold callers
  • ❌ Never click rebate links in texts or emails
  • ❌ Never let unverified "meter workers" into your home

Related guides

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