Energy Scams - How They Work.

Would you pay a criminal's heating bill for them?   Criminals try to steal your money through energy scams.

Criminals don't care if you're careful with your energy use or how you manage your heating bills. But they'd happily use your money to keep their heating on. Criminals impersonate energy companies and other trusted businesses, such as Ofgem. They do this to trick you into sharing your personal or financial information, so they can steal from you.

How do they do it? There are lots of different energy scams. This is just one to be aware of: 1. Criminals contact you and pretend to be from Ofgem. This could be a phone call, a text message or a doorstep visit. 2. They say they can help you switch to a cheaper tariff or provider. 3. They'll ask for your card or bank details to complete the switch. 4. They'll use your details to make payments on your card. Once they have this information, criminals may try to get more money from you. 5. They'll call you later, pretending to be your bank. They'll tell you about fraud activity on your account to trick you into moving your money into their 'safe account'. Use our tips to keep your money safe: Check the government's website. You'll find information on all the energy schemes they offer. Think before you click on a link and share personal or financial information. Criminals can make emails, texts, and calls look like they are from a genuine company. Check it's genuine before making payments or sharing information. Always contact your energy supplier on a publicly available number or one on their website. Ofgem is an energy regulator. They don't sell energy and won't ask for personal information or visit your property. Never move your money to a new account for security reasons. If anyone asks you to do this, it will be a scam.

To learn more about keeping yourself safe, visit our spotting fraud and scams page. Or see Take Five, a national campaign offering impartial, simple advice. More on fraud and scams