Dosh dilemma – Anita falls for a fake energy support scam

Anita, a single mum of two, was struggling to stay on top of her bills. So when she got a text message from an ‘energy supplier’, saying she was eligible for a £250 energy support payment, it felt like a lifeline.

The message looked official. It said she needed to act quickly to avoid missing out and included a link to apply.

The website it led to looked professional, complete an energy supplier logo, clear instructions and even FAQs.

Anita entered her name, date of birth, address and bank details to ‘receive the support’.

But the payment never arrived.

Instead, a few days later, she spotted a suspicious payment on her bank statement, one she hadn’t authorised. Then another.

That’s when she realised she’d been scammed.

What happened?

Anita was tricked by a fake energy support scam. Fraudsters are impersonating energy providers, government departments, regulators and other associated companies to target people with bogus offers of energy grants, rebates or cost of living payments.

They often use:

• urgent language, like ‘apply now before the deadline’
• fake websites that look official
• requests for sensitive information, such as bank details and national insurance numbers

Energy scam red flags

As with most scams, knowing what to look out for is the best way to spot an energy scam.

Here are some clear warning signs you’re likely to be dealing with a scammer.

• a deal that seems too good to be true
• you’re contacted out of the blue
• messages or texts that contain links
• spelling or grammar mistakes
• requests for personal information like passwords or bank details
• being pressured to act quickly

What to do if this happens to you

If you’re in Anita’s position, or think you’ve been scammed, you should:

Contact your bank immediately

• explain what happened and ask them to block your card or freeze/restrict your account to prevent the scammers from taking further action
• request a chargeback or fraud investigation for any unauthorised payments
• if you use mobile or online banking, you may be able to freeze your card instantly through your bank’s app or website

Report the scam

• forward the scam message to 7726, a free service that alerts your mobile provider, which can investigate and potentially block the sender
• report the incident to Action Fraud
• if you’re in Scotland, call Police Scotland on 101.

Let the authorities know

• Contact the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) or your energy supplier directly to report the scam and enquire about whether you may be eligible for any official support.

Spread the word

• Warn friends, family and neighbours, especially those who might be vulnerable, to be on the lookout for similar scams.

No genuine government department, energy supplier or support scheme will ask for your bank details or personal information via text or unsolicited contact.

If in doubt, always check the official website and contact the organisation directly.